Ohio businesses urge House passage of energy efficiency bill to restore jobs and savings in state
Ohio businesses urge House passage of energy efficiency bill to restore jobs and savings in state WebWire
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Ceres Urges Ohio House of Representatives to Approve HB 79 for Energy Efficiency Programs
Ceres, a nonprofit advocacy organization, is joining forces with businesses that have major operations in Ohio to call on the state House of Representatives to pass HB 79. This bipartisan legislation aims to launch new energy efficiency programs that will not only restore jobs but also provide utility bill savings. The implementation of these voluntary energy efficiency programs by utilities will have several positive impacts, including reducing energy waste, saving customers money, supporting grid reliability, cutting pollution, and creating jobs. A coalition of Midwest manufacturers, employers, and trade associations organized by Ceres strongly supports this legislation.
Support from Key Stakeholders
Mel Mackin, the interim director of state policy at Ceres, emphasized the importance of providing Ohio energy consumers with access to programs that help reduce their energy bills. Mackin urged the Ohio House to pass HB 79, highlighting the benefits that voluntary energy efficiency programs can bring to households, businesses, and the overall economy.
Joshua C. Greene, the vice president for government, regulatory, and industry affairs at A. O. Smith, expressed support for improving efficiency at the state level. Greene emphasized that high-efficiency products offer consumers access to cost-saving resources and called on Ohio lawmakers to take advantage of the opportunity to restore energy efficiency programs that reduce waste, increase savings, and support households and businesses across the state.
Meg Villarreal, the director of policy and government relations at Nestlé, highlighted the importance of energy efficiency programs in meeting financial performance goals and pollution reduction targets. Villarreal applauded lawmakers for working towards a bipartisan consensus to reopen these programs in Ohio and urged the House of Representatives to take action soon.
Rallying for Efficiency Policies
Since the controversial 2019 law HB 6 rescinded Ohio’s energy efficiency programs, major Ohio companies, industry groups, and energy consumers have been rallying in support of efficiency policies. Earlier this year, nine large companies and trade groups, including A.O. Smith Corp., Energy Management Solutions Inc., Green Energy Ohio, JLL, National Association of Energy Service Companies, Nestlé, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Trane Technologies, and Uplight, sent a letter to lawmakers urging the adoption of HB 79.
The letter emphasized that reducing energy waste benefits all Ohio consumers and businesses, regardless of their direct participation in energy-saving programs. The signatories expressed their support for comprehensive and cost-effective energy-saving programs that lower bills for everyone and contribute to long-term energy cost stability.
The Impact of HB 79
While HB 79 would not fully restore previous efficiency programs, it would enable utilities to establish voluntary programs aimed at reducing energy waste by 0.5% annually. Experts predict that such programs would result in billions of dollars in electricity cost savings for Ohioans while also improving public health through reduced pollution.
Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to accelerating the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. Through powerful networks of investors and companies, Ceres is proving that sustainability is the bottom line, driving change within markets and sectors. For more information, visit ceres.org.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | The article discusses the need for voluntary energy efficiency programs that reduce energy waste and save customers money, which aligns with the target of improving energy efficiency. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | The article mentions that energy efficiency programs can create jobs, supporting the target of achieving full and productive employment. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes | The article highlights the importance of energy efficiency programs in reducing energy waste and pollution, which aligns with the target of upgrading infrastructure and adopting clean technologies. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | The article mentions that energy efficiency programs can cut pollution, which aligns with the target of reducing the environmental impact of cities. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | The article discusses the importance of energy efficiency programs in meeting pollution goals and reducing electricity costs, which aligns with the target of integrating climate change measures into policies and planning. |
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Fuente: webwire.com
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