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Strickland signs SB 221 into law.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (OFBF) - The atrium in the Ohio Statehouse was full of lawmakers and advocates Thursday afternoon as Governor Ted Strickland inked his name on the bottom of a comprehensive energy plan that he proposed almost exactly one year ago.

Senate Bill 221, an electric restructuring and advanced energy initiative, earned the backing of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation in October, making it one of the first major organizations to do so.

“Today, I am pleased to say we kept our word to Ohioans,” Strickland said, referring to the bill’s intention to control electric costs and create jobs for the future.

Ohio farmers stand to benefit from the bill, as it encourages the development of renewable fuels they are in position to provide. In fact, the bill creates an Advanced Energy Standard that requires a minimum of 25 percent of Ohio’s electricity to come from renewable, clean coal and advanced nuclear sources by the year 2025.

House Speaker Jon Husted accompanied the governor during the signing. “Energy is going to be the issue of our time,” he said. “This will ultimately benefit people (in the future) who aren’t even with us today.”

Read a comprehensive summary of the new legislation in the May 15 edition of Buckeye Farm News.