COUNTY WELCOMES GOVERNOR

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

December 08, 2007 05:03 am

— SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Energy efficiency, progress and production are vital components to the economic health of Ohio, according to Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.
In fact, much of what the Strickland administration wants to accomplish with his new energy policies relies upon the state’s natural resources, such as oil and gas, as well as developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Strickland was at Mohawk Fine Papers Friday sharing his energy policy that calls for maintaining stable rates and fostering development of advanced energy resources. With the state energy bill (S.B. 221) entering a critical stage in the House of Representatives, Strickland outlined the plan to local businessowners, dignitaries and community leaders.
“To be very candid with you, that’s why I’m here,” he said. “There’s pressure building to prevent it from passing. I’m trying to get the word out to get the bill passed.”
State Rep. George Distel, D-Conneaut, said, “We’re delighted to have Gov. Strickland here.”
The crowd agreed, giving the governor a standing ovation.
The Senate unanimously passed the bill and Strickland would like the House to pass it by January, he said, noting he believes maintaining predictable rates for business big and small is the way to go.
"We’re committed to the development of alternative energy sources, which present tremendous economic development opportunities,” he said. “It’s a hybrid approach to rate setting.”
The governor chose to develop a comprehensive energy strategy for the state. Much of the necessity for the plan is because Ohio’s electrical industry is slated for deregulation and competitive markets by 2009. Other states that already implemented such deregulation, such as Maryland, saw electrical rates soar, he said.
The proposal includes mandates that by the year 2025, 25 percent of all electricity used in the state come from advanced energy technology, such as clean coal, fuel cells and wind power, Strickland said. One-half of that 25 percent must be generated in Ohio, according to the bill.
“I believe it’s achievable and reasonable,” he said.
Research into new and cleaner energy sources is important to Ohioans, which could see new jobs coming from the production of components of renewable energy, such as wind power, he said.
“We think there is a lot of potential,” he said. “We’re committed to new industries and we’ll present as much incentives as we can to help them.”
Joe Mayernick, executive director of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, presented the governor with a bottle of locally bottled wine.
“I heard they made wine up here,” Strickland said.
Mohawk executives then took him on a tour of their facility.

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