OSBC Urges Governor Kasich to Veto H.B. 554

On December 8, 2016 the Ohio General Assembly passed Substitute House Bill 554 by lame duck session.  During the prior week, OSBC executive director, Mayda Sanchez, delivered letters from business executives from across Ohio urging legislators to oppose HB 554 and SB 220, that seek to make Ohio’s clean energy standards voluntary.

The following letters from OSBC and some of our members was delivered to Governor Kasich’s office:

Re: Request to Veto Sub. H.B. 554

The Honorable John Kasich
Office of the Governor
77 South High Street, 30th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Governor Kasich:

On behalf of the Ohio Sustainable Business Council, a network of businesses from all over Ohio, I respectfully ask you to veto Sub. House Bill 554.

Over the past few years, other states with strong standards have seen job growth and lower electric rates. In the Midwest, the clean energy economy currently employs nearly 569,000 workers, 75% of which work in Energy Efficiency, helping to reduce energy waste in our homes, schools and businesses. The sector is large and growing, but standards can accelerate job creation here in Ohio.

Efficiency and a mix of renewable energy will bring down the cost of electricity. A recent report by energy research firm Synapse Energy Economics finds that average energy bills in 2030 could be $35 per month lower under a “Clean Energy Future” scenario. The benefits of efficiency are even more pronounced for manufacturing, allowing our businesses to produce more at lower cost.

Strong standards create market conditions that encourage businesses to invest in good clean energy jobs.  A supply chain report on Nov. 30, by Environmental Law & Policy Center listed 207 companies in Ohio supplying the solar industry alone. Given Ohio’s manufacturing capacity and logistics infrastructure, the potential for job creation in Ohio from clean energy manufacturing is significant. Should we not encourage Ohio businesses with our own energy portfolio?

You have stated in the past that an all-of-the-above approach to our energy portfolio is the wisest strategy. Given our heavy dependence on fossil fuels for the bulk of our power generation, strong renewable and efficiency standards are needed to correct this imbalance.

The businesses of Ohio are counting on your leadership to balance to our energy policy with a veto of H.B. 554.

Sincerely,

Mayda Sanchez
Executive Director
Ohio Sustainable Business Council