Ohio Farm Bureau endorses Strickland energy proposalPublished on 09/25/2007 For Immediate Release COLUMBUS, Ohio (OFBF) – Governor Ted Strickland’s comprehensive energy plan, which includes provisions for regulating electricity rates, has been unanimously endorsed by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s (OFBF) board of trustees. “Our board believes the governor’s proposal is in the best interest of Ohio’s farmers, households and businesses,” said John C. (Jack) Fisher, OFBF executive vice president. He added, “We appreciate Governor Strickland’s willingness to listen to our members’ ideas as he created a plan to address many of the important energy issues that face our state and nation.” Of immediate concern to Farm Bureau is that Ohio’s electric rate stabilization plan expires at the end of 2008. “Consumers in states without rate regulation are paying an average of 30 percent more for their electricity,” Fisher said. Energy has long been a priority for OFBF. The nearly 231,000- member organization was the first in Ohio to explore energy solutions such as ethanol production, energy group-buying programs and adoption of innovative cost-management technologies. Fisher explained that the OFBF board voted to support the Strickland-backed legislation that was introduced in the General Assembly. The legislation creates a moderated regulatory control of electric rates and allows for consumers to effectively manage electricity use and cost. Of particular interest to Ohio Farm Bureau are provisions to expand production of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass – sources that Ohio farmers are uniquely positioned to provide. The legislation also makes it possible for farmers and others who can generate electricity to tie into the electric grid and become suppliers as well as consumers. Hearings on the bill are scheduled to begin this week. According to Gov. Strickland, “Our Energy, Jobs and Progress plan creates opportunities for rural economies by removing obstacles to the production of renewable energies. Other states have taken similar action and farmers are reaping the benefits,” Strickland said. Not only does our approach stand to create thousands of new jobs, it means growing markets for Ohio agriculture. I look forward to working with the Farm Bureau to establish Ohio as a leader in advanced energy production." “There is little argument that energy is going to cost more over the long term,” said Fisher. “That means we have to find solutions that make those costs more predictable, stable and manageable. The governor’s plan puts us in position to do that.”
CONTACT: Joe Cornely | |