Rep. Stinziano issues statement on the report of the Energy Mandates Study Committee

The following statement may be attributed in full or in part to Representative Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus), a member of the Energy Mandates Study Committee (EMSC), on the report issued today by the committee.

“Today’s report issued by the Energy Mandates Study Committee presents recommendations that ignore benefits to electric consumers, Ohio’s environment and economy, and the public’s health and well-being resulting from the passage of S.B. 310.”

“By suggesting that Ohio indefinitely continue S.B. 310’s freeze on Ohio’s renewable energy, energy efficiency, and peak demand reduction standards, the majority members of the EMSC have looked past expert testimony from witnesses such as the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the Electricity Markets and Policy Group at the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, and the American Wind Energy Association who attested to the positive impacts these standards had on the state until frozen by S.B. 310.”

“In contrast, Representative Jack Cera and I, the House Democratic members of the EMSC, suggested recommendations to the committee on September 3 which included the reinstatement of the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and peak demand reduction standards, the creation of new Ohio jobs in the energy sector, and the protection of Ohio families from run-away “riders” applied to utility bills.”

“The General Assembly should enact a common-sense solution that restores the economic and environmental benefits Ohioans received prior to the implementation of S.B. 310.”