On December 27, Governor Kasich vetoed Ohio's Substitute House Bill 554. The bill would have further weakened the state’s energy standards by turning the requirement for utilities to purchase renewable energy and invest in energy efficiency into voluntary goals, with no compliance obligations, through 2019. With Governor Kasich’s veto, the standards frozen two years ago are set to be reinstated on January 1, 2017.
AEE released a statement, which you can read in full here. AEE's reactions that were reported in both Ohio press and trade press. Here is a round up:
- Cleavland's Plain Dealer covered reactions to Gov. Kasich's veto of House Bill 554, including AEE Ohio's. Read the full article here.
- Greentech Media noted AEE's economic analysis in Ohio and quoted Ted Ford.
- SNL quoted Ted Ford of AEE Ohio: “While Ohio has been idling, Michigan has attracted over $1.1 billion in renewable energy investments,” he said. “With this veto, Ohio can begin to move forward with sensible energy policy next year” and JR Tolbert of AEE: "Governor Kasich understands that renewable energy and energy efficiency create jobs and save money. That's a formula that is good for business and good for every Ohioan."
- Sat Press News reported on the veto and also quoted Ford.
- Money News: "AEE and AEE Ohio Applaud Governor Kasich Veto of Bill Weakening the State’s Energy Standards"
- Ohio Ag Connection: "AEE Applauds Kasich Veto of Bill Weakening Energy Standards."
- North American Wind Power: "State Gov. Blocks Bill Passage To End Clean Energy Freeze"
- AOL News: "Ohio's GOP governor beaks with party over green energy"
- Midwest Energy News: "Ohio clean energy standards resume, but still weakened by 2014 laws"