AEE and Ohio AEE Applaud Governor Kasich Veto of Bill Weakening the State's Energy Standards

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business association, and Ohio Advanced Energy Economy (OAEE), AEE's state partner in Ohio, released the following statements after Governor Kasich vetoed Substitute House Bill 554. The bill would have further weakened the state's energy standards by turning the requirement for utilities to purchase renewable energy and invest in energy efficiency into voluntary goals, with no compliance obligations, through 2019. With Governor Kasich's veto, the standards frozen two years ago are set to be reinstated on January 1, 2017.

See this statement online here.

"Today, Governor Kasich's principled leadership has given Ohio an opportunity to get back on track. He stood behind his commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency, allowing Ohio to regain its competitive advantage nationally," said J.R. Tolbert, vice president for state policy at Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). "Governor Kasich understands that renewable energy and energy efficiency create jobs and save money. That's a formula that is good for business and good for every Ohioan."

"The two-year freeze has cost Ohio jobs and investments. In the last three years, while Ohio has been idling, Michigan has attracted over $1.1 billion in renewable energy investments," said Ted Ford, president of Ohio Advanced Energy Economy (Ohio AEE). "With this veto, Ohio can begin to move forward with sensible energy policy next year – one that can bring back advanced energy jobs and investment to Ohio."

"Governor Kasich requested a data-driven, facts-based approach to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Despite creating its own study committee to evaluate costs and benefits, the legislature failed to provide him with an accurate projection of annual consumer savings," added Tolbert. "Fortunately for Gov. Kasich, the Advanced Energy Economy Institute heard his request. This modeling allowed us to demonstrate that a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and natural gas is the lowest cost way for Ohio to meet its energy needs, saving the state $3.3 billion and consumers $192 annually by 2027."

The legislature could override the governor's veto with a three-fifths majority vote, but fell short of this vote threshold when Substitute HB554 passed the House (final vote was 56-41) and Senate (final vote was 18-13).

About AEE and OAEE
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE's mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE works with Ohio Advanced Energy Economy (OAEE) and its other State Partner organizations active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 organizations in the advanced energy industry.

Background:
Business to Lawmakers: Get Ohio Out of Deep Freeze on Advanced Energy
AEE Reacts to Ohio Senate Vote That Extends RPS, Efficiency Freeze
AEE Testifies Against Ohio Senate, House Bills

Media Contact:
Monique Hanis, [email protected], 202-391-0884 (rolls to cell)

SOURCE Advanced Energy Economy

Related Links

https://www.aee.net/