Ohio State Senate Caucus Energy policy

[Kolesar]

The press release says more info at www.ohiodems.org, but it is not posted yet. I will be watching for it. This is my kind of stuff.

PRESS RELEASE

From Ohio Senate Democratic Leader C.J. Prentiss
Contact: Amanda Conn or Melinda White
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 [phone]

( Columbus )- Senate Minority Leader C.J. Prentiss (D-Cleveland) and members of the Senate Democratic caucus today unveiled an energy policy package aimed at providing energy cost relief to Ohioans and providing long-term solutions to Ohio ’s energy problems.

The Senate Democrats’ energy package focuses on several key points:

Helping seniors and families afford energy prices;
Investing in energy efficiency technology to create jobs;
Promoting energy reliability and security to prevent energy shortages;




“It has been clear to us for some time that Ohio needs a new approach to energy, both to make energy more affordable for our citizens and to reduce energy consumption,” Senator Prentiss said. “We are proposing an aggressive package of energy policy pieces we believe can get the job done with short-term relief and long-term solutions.”



Over the next few weeks, the Senate Democrats will introduce several pieces of legislation that make up the energy policy package. A list of possible bills is attached.



“The Senate Democrats feel that now is the time for real energy policy changes,” Senator Prentiss said. “Gasoline prices are fluctuating every day consumers are going to be facing up to a 70% increase on their heating bills this winter. We’ve got to do something now to bring relief to Ohioans. We hope to work with the Republican majority and pass this energy package which is so critical to our state’s future.”



-30-



Editor’s Note: Talking points of the Energy Package are attached. You may view the powerpoint presentation at Ohiodems.org



The Ohio Senate Democrats have a state energy plan that provides short-term relief and long-term solutions that will create jobs, foster environmental efficiency and save consumers money.



Our plan makes fuel prices affordable for Ohioans. The Senate Democrats’ plan uses dormant state resources and unspent funds to provide utility bill relief for seniors and families, and reducing taxes on utility costs.



Our plan is responsible. The Senate Democrats value environmental and fiscal conservation, and this plan demonstrates how we can do it.



Our plan promotes reliability and security, so Ohio ’s families will know there won’t be energy shortages. The Senate Democrats’ plan utilizes traditional and emerging technologies to ensure Ohioans have access to energy, creates new jobs, and capitalizes on economic development. By diversifying our energy use, the Senate Democrats’ plan can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the potential for power outages and ensure that Ohio has a plan for the unthinkable to maintain energy for our citizens.



This plan helps seniors afford energy prices.

v Eliminating the sales tax from home heating fuel will dramatically cut prices for seniors.

v Increasing funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program will help seniors afford high winter heating bills.

v The Warm Homes for Seniors bill will help seniors that don’t fall in the lowest economic categories pay for winter heating bills.

v Energy-efficiency assistance to make home improvements will help seniors insulate their homes, install energy efficient appliances and tune-up their furnaces to curb energy costs during winter months.



This plan promotes conservation and environmentally sound policies to reduce energy consumption and promote better health.

v The promotion of ethanol, biofuels and other renewable energy sources reduces pollution, and helps Ohio attain Clean Air Act standards.

v Energy efficiency standards, use of public transit, and other tactics reduces Ohio’s dependence on fossil fuels, paving the way for a less hazy future with less smog, better health by reducing incidence of asthma and other breathing conditions, and is less disruptive to Ohio’s natural environment by reducing drilling.



This plan ensures energy security.

v Curbing demand for energy reduces the likelihood of blackouts, brownouts, and spikes in energy consumption in times of the unthinkable.

v Reducing our dependency on foreign oil by using homegrown energy will make our country less dependent on oil from war-torn regions of the world.

v Promoting an energy plan that has contingencies for natural disasters and terrorist attacks will ensure that Ohioans will not be stopped by those that would do us harm.



This plan prepares for the long-term.

v Incentives for constructing sustainable and efficient buildings and increasing grants and loans through the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority ensures that Ohio ’s infrastructure is prepared to use alternative forms of energy in the years to come.

v Critical research into the use of renewable energy, biofuels and ethanol, and other sources of homegrown energy are viable, long-term solutions to the energy crisis.

v This plan looks at Ohio ’s energy tax structure, tax incentives and administration of developing technologies so that Ohio is a step ahead of the rest of the pack on new technologies.

[Kolesar]

1. The plan is up: Ohio Dems link

www.ohiodems.org

[OzarkDem]

2. Seniors & Families only

Dems keep leaving a big, gaping hole in the safety net for disabled adults. Lots of very sick people out there living on less than $600 month SS Disability who also can't afford high fuel bills.

I'm not sure why Dems have such a huge blind spot when it comes to sick and disabled adults. It has a lot to do with the rising poverty rate in Ohio.

Bad policy.

[Kolesar]

3. That's a fair point!

With our decades-long tradition of young Ohioans fleeing to more prosperous states, Ohio politicians have long known to court the senior vote. We even have a Department of Aging. Like aging won't happen without a government department (!).