Kasich calls Energy Mandates Study Committee report 'unacceptable'

Ohio’s Energy Mandates Study Committee recommended today that the state’s “renewable and energy efficiency standards” should remain frozen indefinitely.

The committee examines Ohio’s clean-energy standards which were enacted in 2008.

Committee members are: Kristina Roegner - Co-Chair, Ohio House of Representatives; Ron Amstutz, Ohio House of Representatives; Louis W. Blessing, III, Ohio House of Representatives; Jack Cera, Ohio House of Representatives; Christina Hagan, Ohio House of Representatives; Mike Stinziano, Ohio House of Representatives; Troy Balderson - Co-Chair, Ohio Senate; Capri Cafaro, Ohio Senate; Cliff Hite, Ohio Senate; Bob Peterson, Ohio Senate; Bill Seitz, Ohio Senate; Sandra R. Williams, Ohio Senate; and Andre T. Porter, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

The committee’s recommendation was criticized by Ohio Gov. and presidential hopeful John Kasich, whose office called the freeze on renewable and energy efficiency mandates "unacceptable."

"A continued freeze of Ohio's energy standards is unacceptable, and we stand willing to work with the Ohio General Assembly to craft a bill that supports a diverse mix of reliable, low-cost energy sources while preserving the gains we have made in the state's economy," said Kasich spokesman Joe Andrews.

The Energy Mandates Study Committee Co-Chairs’ Report is available at: http://emsc.legislature.ohio.gov/Assets/Reports/emsc-final-report.pdf.