Renewable energy making a mark in southwest Ohio
Turning cow and hog manure into an energy source isn’t a new idea, but entrepreneur and farmer Mark Herres hopes to make it a successful one on his 100-acre farm in southwest Ohio.
Read MorePolitical leaders both in Ohio and nationally need to consider the important impacts current energy policies and decisions are having on an affordable and reliable energy supply for Ohio’s farmers, the ag industry, our farmland and our nation’s food security as a whole.
It has become a pretty common occurrence to hear about a new startup, a growing business or a very well established Fortune 500 company choosing Ohio as its headquarters.
That’s great for the state’s economy, but making sure we have the energy resources necessary for these new facilities, data centers and the residential growth that comes with them will be the key to their long-term success in the Buckeye State.
Ironically, as more options for energy generation come online, the reliability of energy in Ohio is at risk. Our most dependable source of energy has recently become our most vulnerable, as earlier this year the Environmental Protection Agency released what experts call an “unrealistic and unachievable” rule targeting emissions from numerous power plants across the country, including one here in Ohio that serves over 1 million people in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
The end result would be devastating for Ohioans – decreasing electricity availability and, in turn, threatening supply and increasing costs for citizens and businesses alike.
Reliable energy isn’t the only thing at risk. As more “green” projects are being considered, the loss of valuable farmland isn’t. Policy created just last year through Ohio Farm Bureau’s grassroots process was adopted by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The policy asks AFBF, considering the difficulties surrounding land use management and preserving farmland, to review federal green energy policy, including commercial solar projects, as it relates to farmland impact and reliable power generation, supply, and grid reliability.
Almost as significant as land to keeping Ohio agriculture strong, farmers need reliable energy of all types to keep wheels turning, gears churning, crops growing, fans blowing and every farm running at optimum capacity to keep farmers, as well as their animals, fruits and vegetables healthy, safe and plentiful.
In this issue of Our Ohio, we cover energy from every angle. We’ll reveal trends in oil, natural gas, biofuel, wind, and solar markets to help you prepare for the future, and unveil our new Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide for members, as well as the latest Ag Intelligence Service report with a focus on energy.
With property rights as the baseline for any conversation on the topic, Farm Bureau is supportive of many types of energy generation and use in Ohio and nationally. Political leaders both in Ohio and nationally need to consider the important impacts current energy policies and decisions are having on an affordable and reliable energy supply for Ohio’s farmers, the ag industry, our farmland and our nation’s food security as a whole. If not, Ohio’s bright economic future may short circuit.
Turning cow and hog manure into an energy source isn’t a new idea, but entrepreneur and farmer Mark Herres hopes to make it a successful one on his 100-acre farm in southwest Ohio.
Read MoreIf you’re interested in exploring manure digesters for your farm, talk to an Ohio State University Extension specialist familiar with the systems.
Read MoreLearn more about Grainger’s environmental solutions. Grainger is an Ohio Farm Bureau member benefit partner.
Read MoreAfter regaining ownership of her family farm, Gretchen Francis wanted to establish an energy sustainability plan. This led her to Community Energy Advisors and Viridi, Ohio Farm Bureau Energy Program partners.
Read MoreFor some people, the dream is to build a system to go completely off-grid, However, on-site generation systems typically involve interconnection agreements with local utilities.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau’s Energy and Utility Resource Guide can point landowners in the right direction when it comes to easement considerations.
Read MorePolitical leaders need to consider the important impacts current energy policies and decisions are having on an affordable and reliable energy supply.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read MoreThe emergency fuel waiver to allow the sale of summer gasoline blends containing 15% ethanol will lengthen the period during which Americans can continue buying E15 from June 1 to Sept. 15.
Read MoreHow Ohioans can help increase the reliability of electricity at home?
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