Ohio State Sen. Kris Jordan (R-Powell) has introduced Senate Bill 216, which would repeal Ohio's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS).
Jordan claims the AEPS, which requires Ohio to procure 12.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025, drives up the cost of energy for Ohio families and businesses. He also denies that the state's renewable energy industry will have a positive impact on jobs in the state.
‘Over the past three years, we've seen an emphasis on 'green jobs' at the state and federal level, but studies show that in countries such as Spain, similar efforts have led to the destruction of 2.2 jobs in other sectors for every one of these "green jobs' created," Jordan said in a statement released by his office.
However, when it was introduced, the AEPS bill passed with nearly unanimous bipartisan support, notes local environmental group Environment Ohio, which released a statement opposing Jordan's new bill.
"Ohio's clean energy law is already working to repower the state with pollution-free energy, creating green jobs along the way – Sen. Jordan's bill would roll back the clock on clean energy in Ohio," Environment Ohio state policy advocate Julian Boggs said. "The Senate should reject the bill quickly so we can get back to the work of building Ohio's clean energy future. There is important work to be done, and the last thing we need is to be looking backward."
