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Concerned About Energy Prices, Nearly 80% Also Say Ohio Policy Makers Should Do More to Promote These Solutions

Cleveland, OH – June 27, 2012 – Ohioans are bullish on advanced energy for the country and the state, seeing the manufacturing of products like advanced batteries, efficient motors, and wind turbine components as important to Ohio’s economy, according to a new survey released today.

The survey, sponsored by Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), its state partner, Advanced Energy Economy Ohio (AEE Ohio), and their charitable affiliates, found that 83 percent of Ohioans believe advanced energy – defined as energy products, technologies, and services that are affordable, clean, and secure over the long term – are very important or somewhat important to America’s future. An identical 83 percent of respondents think the manufacturing of advanced energy products like batteries for power storage, high-efficiency motors and equipment, and wind turbine components are very important or somewhat important to Ohio’s economy. At the same time, 79.5 percent of Ohioans believe it is very important or somewhat important for the state’s political leaders to do more to further advanced energy in the state.

The survey results were released today at an event in Cleveland with executives representing a range of advanced energy companies in northeast Ohio.

The survey also found that Ohio residents are concerned about energy prices and reliance on foreign energy sources, as 81 percent view the United States’ current dependence on foreign oil as a crisis or a major problem and nearly 60 percent expect a gallon of gasoline to cost $5 or more in the next five years. When asked about how electricity is made and delivered in the U.S. – including its cost, reliability, safety, public health impact, and environmental impact – 51 percent of Ohioans say the U.S. is in a state of crisis or has major problems.

“The people of Ohio see advanced energy systems and solutions as important for the country and an economic opportunity for the state,” said Kimberly Gibson, executive director of AEE Ohio. “Combining the strengths of Ohio industry in manufacturing and innovation, advanced energy companies are creating economic value for Ohio today and will create even more in the years to come.”

With global energy consumption projected to rise nearly 40 percent by 2030, future prosperity depends on new ways to meet the world’s energy needs. Advanced energy presents an economic opportunity for American companies and workers, which have led every technology- and innovation-driven transformation of the past century. Ohio’s biggest asset in building a competitive advanced energy cluster is its strong manufacturing base. In 2010 (the most recent year for which data is available), Ohio was the 5th most productive manufacturing state, generating $80 billion of output, and had the 9th highest manufacturing output per capita in the United States.

Additional results from the survey include:

• A majority (54 percent) believes it is very important to Ohio’s future that the state be a leader in developing, manufacturing, and deploying advanced energy. An additional 31 percent cite it as somewhat important.

• Over half of Ohioans (51 percent) believe efforts to make greater use of energy-saving technologies like high-efficiency lighting, appliances, and insulation create American jobs.

• 56 percent of Ohioans agree that efforts to make greater use of energy-saving technologies that help our country do more with less energy have been positive because they save money over the long run and make our economy more productive and competitive.

“This survey in Ohio reflects what we are seeing across America,” said Graham Richard, CEO of AEE. “People see the value of advanced energy companies in Ohio and in other states across the nation. They are bringing energy-saving technologies to market and creating jobs that are necessary to fuel our economy. Ohio is just one of the states where advanced energy has taken root. We are proud to work with AEE Ohio to create greater awareness of this dynamic sector and its potential to strengthen our economic competitiveness.”

The online survey of 705 Ohio adults was conducted by JZ Analytics for Advanced Energy Economy, AEE Institute, Advanced Energy Economy Ohio, and AEE Ohio Institute June 19-21, 2012. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points. Full survey results are available at http://www.aee.net/Ohio.

About Advanced Energy Economy and the AEE Institute

Advanced Energy Economy is a national organization representing the entire advanced energy industry. AEE's mission is to influence public policy, foster advanced energy innovation and business growth, and provide a unified voice for a strong U.S. advanced energy industry that will drive the global transition to a smarter energy future. The AEE Institute’s mission is to raise awareness of the public benefits of advanced energy, drive the policy debate on key topics, and provide a forum where leaders can address energy challenges and opportunities facing the U.S.

About Advanced Energy Economy Ohio and the AEE Ohio Institute

Founded last year, AEE Ohio is a growing organization of advanced energy businesses across Ohio promoting a better business climate for the sector in the state. AEE Ohio’s mission is to build and foster a robust advanced energy economy, drive technology innovation and implementation and position Ohio as a global leader by enhancing and aligning existing business networks and assets. AEE Ohio is a partner organization with the Advanced Energy Economy. AEE Ohio Institute seeks to educate the public on the economic and environmental benefits of advanced energy and to provide growth support to organizations within the energy sector to boost economic development and promote the use of advanced energy.

Contact

Jim Hock for AEE

(202) 494-8132

jim.hock@463.com

Steve Caminati for AEE Ohio

(614) 315-5908

steve@melamedcommunications.com