Tell Ohio Lawmakers: Vote YES on HB 79

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The Ohio House of Representatives will soon vote on House Bill 79. The bill will allow utility companies to create energy efficiency programs that enable Ohioans to purchase more efficient technology and reduce their energy usage. HB 79 provides a wide variety of benefits, including:

Lowering energy consumption and cost for consumers
Reducing harmful air pollution
Improving the resiliency of the electrical grid
Creating targeted efficiency program for low-income communities, reducing energy burden

These benefits are made possible through a $1.50 surcharge that consumers can choose to opt out of if they decide not to support the program. Even if someone decides not to pay, they — along with all Ohioans — will reap the benefits of HB 79.

These programs will not only support a healthier environment, but also a stronger economy. We urge Ohio lawmakers to pass House Bill 79 and create the energy system Ohioans deserve.

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Ohio House Members

Subject: Vote YES on HB 79

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I am writing in support of House Bill 79 that aims to restore Ohio’s energy waste reduction program. This bipartisan bill with support from environmental groups, utilities, and consumer advocates creates a program that will allow utilities to create programs that incentivize customers to purchase energy efficient technologies. The reduction in energy waste will improve air quality, reduce strain on the electrical grid, and lower energy bills for Ohioans. HB 79 is good for our environment: Energy waste reduction programs reduce demand for electricity which, in turn, reduces harmful emissions. Air pollution sickens Ohioans and up our health care costs by increasing asthma attacks, hospital visits, heart attacks, and respiratory disease. And HB 79 is good for our economy: While concerns have been raised over the initial $1.50 surcharge placed on consumers, savings from the reduced energy usage are expected to benefit all Ohioans. It is estimated that customers will save up to $3.3 Billion over a ten year period as energy efficiency technologies will save consumers money year after year (1). HB 79 also specifically supports programs for low-income families across Ohio to reduce their energy burden. Importantly, this legislation will allow Ohioans to immediately take advantage of energy efficiency benefits, complementing the energy waste reduction rebates available in the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In addition to cost savings for consumers, the energy waste reduction programs reinstated by HB 79 are expected to bolster Ohio’s economy with new clean energy jobs. According to Clean Jobs Midwest, clean energy jobs in Ohio grew over 2 times faster than the overall economy in 2021 — a majority of those jobs are related to energy efficiency (2). HB 79 will improve the resilience of our grid, reduce pollution from wasted energy, support our economy, and lower Ohioans energy bills. To vote against this bill fundamentally would be to vote against both consumers and the environment. Please vote YES on HB 79 for our health, for our energy, and for our wallets! (1) Updated Analysis on the Benefits of a 0.5% Energy Waste Reduction Target for Ohio, Gabel Associates, Brendon Baatz and Isaac Gabel-Frank, (October 2021), available at https://www.ohioenergywastereduction.com/s/Ohio-EWR-Memo-HB-389-Savings-Level-Analysis.pdf (2) https://www.cleanjobsmidwest.com/state/ohio

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