 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
newsroom
Wind Industry: Ohio Renewable Energy Legislation Nationally Significant The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today praised passage of energy legislation in Ohio calling for electric utilities to significantly increase their usage of renewable energy such as wind and solar power over the next 17 years. The legislation, under which the power companies’ use of renewable energy will increase steadily from 0.25% in 2009 to 12.5% in 2025, is expected to support 5,000 MW to 7,000 MW of new wind energy installations—or investments with a value of $10 billion to $14 billion—most of which would be in Ohio. In the near term, AWEA estimates that the legislation will result in about 650 MW to 750 MW of new wind energy investments prior to 2012, or approximately $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion in new investments over that period. “Ohio’s legislation is very significant for two reasons,” said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. “First, Ohio, as a major industrial state, uses a lot of power and will now become an important market for renewable energy. Second, this legislation can jump-start the involvement of Ohio’s world-class manufacturing infrastructure and world-class skilled manufacturing workforce in wind energy manufacturing, which will bring benefits not only to Ohio—new jobs—but also to the whole country and industry as we tap Ohio’s expertise. This law is nationally significant.” Furthermore, 25 states plus the District of Columbia have previously enacted mandatory renewable energy standards such as this, so Ohio’s addition to this group means that a majority of all states now have such standards. “As Ohio goes, so goes the nation,” said Swisher. “On behalf of the American Wind Energy Association, it is my pleasure to praise the efforts of Governor Ted Strickland, Speaker Jon Husted, and Senate President Bill Harris to work together and get the job done for renewable energy,” added Swisher. In 2007, nearly 30% of all new electric generating capacity installed across America was wind generation, representing over $9 billion in new investments. Wind energy trailed only natural gas as the leading source of new generating capacity nationwide, and was one of the largest energy sources in new capital investment.AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. # # # |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|