By Matt Kasper, Climate Progress
Ohio’s clean energy law has come under attack by a lawmaker affiliated with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the group funded by fossil fuel companies, corporate interests and the ultra-conservative billionaire Koch brothers — but local vets are taking a stand.
Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) is pushing a bill that would weaken Ohio’s renewable energy standard — a law that requires a certain amount of the state’s energy portfolio be derived from renewable sources. The bill, substitute S.B. 58, would limit how much utilities can spend on energy-efficiency programs while eliminating the requirements for in-state renewable energy, meaning fewer new clean energy projects would be built in the state. In February, Sen. Kris Jordan (R-Ostrander) introduced another measure which would repeal the renewable energy requirement entirely.
Seitz made headlines in March when he said the state’s renewable energy standard reminds him of “Joseph Stalin’s five-year plan.” Both Seitz and Jordan are members of ALEC and Seitz is on the board of directors. In 2013, ALEC made it a priority to repeal clean energy laws throughout the country, and failed on all accounts.
Despite failing in its previous effort to repeal any state renewable energy standards, ALEC convened for its 40th annual meeting in late July and leaked documents show the organization has no intention of backing down from its attacks on popular clean energy laws.
Also: Renewable Energy Patents Booming, Led By Solar And Wind
If you’d like to discuss energy issues, contact Court Rich, director of Rose Law Group’s Renewable Energy Department at crich@roselawgroup.com
