Governor Strickland Releases His Vision for the Future of Ohio's Energy Environment

August 29, 2007
Bricker & Eckler

Update. On September 25, 2007 S.B. 221, the Strickland energy plan was introduced in the Ohio Senate

On August 29, 2007, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland released his energy policy: Energy, Jobs and Progress for Ohio. The policy includes a plan for the creation of thousands of manufacturing jobs and challenges utilities to show that the state has a competitive, functioning electric market.

The plan includes seven primary principles, including the following:

• Principle One. We must establish a stable balance between the protections of regulation and the opportunities of competitive markets.

• Principle Two. Policies to stimulate renewable and advanced energy production in Ohio are instrumental in attracting investment in related energy technology manufacturing.

• Principle Three. Transparency and accountability are priorities throughout the Strickland Administration.

• Principle Four. Customers deserve equal footing with utilities.

• Principle Five. Modernizing Ohio's electric infrastructure must be a high priority.

• Principle Six. Energy efficiency must be a central element in addressing electric regulation.

• Principle Seven. Ohio's electric power sector must be prepared for the ever-growing influence that will be exerted by environmental issues, especially global climate change.

Included among the specific initiatives set for the Governor's plan were the following:

• By 2025, a minimum of 25% of the electricity sold in Ohio must be generated from advanced energy technologies, with no less than half of this amount to be generated from renewable energy resources.

• At least half of the total advanced energy requirement must be met through assets sited in Ohio, and a specific "carve-out" requirement for solar power must be adopted to reflect and reinforce Ohio's leadership in solar energy technologies.

Read the full Energy, Jobs and Progress proposal