Ohio Falls Behind Again

[irishbobcat]

Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont last Wednesday signed into law a bill aimed at promoting renewable energy like solar and wind power, as well as new efficiency measures devoted to reducing Vermonters' use of oil and other heating fuels.

The bill, dubbed the "energy efficiency and affordability act," will help Vermonters better manage their heating resources, protect our environment and save money.

The bill calls for the Department of Public Service to hold a series of "stakeholder workshops" beginning this spring to come up with a request for proposals, basically a work order for a contractor or contractors who would administer the new efficiency programs.

By next year, those programs should be up and running, providing Vermonters with grants and other financing to add new insulation, tighter windows and the like to their homes -- measures the bill's supporters say could cut heating bills by 20 to 40 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions tied to global warming.

In addition, the bill allows for new tax credits designed to promote renewable energy, which advocates said would be timely given the uncertainty over whether federal tax credits designed to promote installations of solar power will be renewed this year.

And among a broad range of other measures, it allows an expansion of "net metering," in which people who make their own power can ship any extra onto their utility grid, lowering their electric bills in the process.

Once again we see another state moving ahead with an energy plan while the Ohio Democrats and Republicans in the Ohio Statehouse play political football with our state energy plan.

It's time to elect independent candidates for state representative who will vote for legislation that will aid all Ohio citizens and businesses, bring renewable energy jobs and companies to Ohio, and lower utility costs, instead of listening to what their political bosses tell them to do.

Dennis Spisak-Independent Green Party Candidate for State Representative for the 60th District

Campaign site: http://votespisak.tripod.com

'"Democracy Growing in your Community "