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<\/a><\/p>\nMembers of Ohio\u2019s conservative community gathered at the Ohio Statehouse Thursday to announce the launch of the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum, a coalition designed to be a voice for conservative support for a common-sense, all-of-the-above state energy policy. The announcement comes as the Ohio General Assembly considers updates to Ohio\u2019s clean energy standards.<\/b><\/p>\n
Mike Hartley, a seasoned conservative grassroots leader in Ohio, serves as OHCEF\u2019s executive director. Hartley said that support for a diverse energy portfolio is hardly a new concept for conservatives. \u201cHistorically, conservatives have led our country\u2019s efforts to protect and preserve our natural resources,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen it comes to the energy debate, the issue has become polarizing, and often dominated by the left. We founded the OHCEF because we believe an all-of-the-above approach to energy policy is key to the future success of our state, our nation, and our world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group adds its voice to a debate over the future of alternative energy in Ohio. Another voice in favor of renewable energy is Ohio Governor John Kasich, who said earlier in the week he found \u201cunacceptable\u201d a recommendation by the Ohio legislative committee tasked with reviewing the state\u2019s renewable energy standards to extend the state\u2019s two-year freeze on U.S. EPA Clean Power Plan mandates.<\/p>\n
The freeze has halted investment in Ohio by alternative energy companies, such as Iberdrola Renewables, the wind energy company responsible for the Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert and Paulding counties.<\/p>\n
Several state conservative political leaders and business groups have sided with continuing the freeze, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe the freeze should be extended until all the uncertainties of the Clean Power Plan have been resolved,\u201d said Charles Willoughby, director of energy and environmental policy for the Ohio Chamber.<\/p>\n
However, local Chamber President\/CEO Susan Munroe disagrees (see story below on this page)<\/i>, noting the significant investments in clean energy that have benefited Van Wert and neighboring counties. \u201c(There are) more than $1 billon in prospective investments in our county from renewable energy,\u201d Munroe noted. \u201cLet\u2019s not lose this staggering economic development and job growth opportunity to another state due to legislative uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Senator Cliff Hite, while commending the legislative committee for a \u201ctransparent and open study committee process,\u201d said he has reservations about extending the alternative energy freeze, which he said would harm his Senate district.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy northwest Ohio Senate district along has seen almost $800 million in clean energy investments and job creation since 2008, which has added stability and diversity to Ohio\u2019s energy portfolio,\u201d Hite noted. \u201cI am hopeful that we will consider legislation to address these issues and support further development of wind energy throughout Ohio.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ohio Conservative Energy Forum\u2019s members say they respect the traditional energy industries that have made Ohio great, but also feel a responsibility to respond to a changing world with conservative values based in faith, economic realities, and the principles of good government.<\/p>\n
The OHCEF is founded on a Statement of Principles that outlines support based in five areas:<\/p>\n
Faith\u00a0— Conservatives have a mandate from God to be good stewards of the earth and to protect the health and quality of life for all His children.<\/p>\n
Economy\u00a0— Diversified energy sources protect consumers, the state, and the country from volatile prices of traditional fuels. Ohio is among the top 10 states in total energy consumption, and the cost of importing traditional fuel is a drain on Ohio\u2019s economy. Alternative energy keeps money and jobs in Ohio, with advanced energy businesses employing more than 25,000 Ohioans and contributing billions of dollars annually to Ohio\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
National Security\u00a0— Traditional fuel costs are set on a world market dominated by nations hostile to this country — America does not control production or consumption, and therefore does not control international pricing. In addition, the American military spends billions transporting foreign fuel sources. It is in this nation\u2019s interest to pursue energy security by diversifying energy sources, encouraging new technologies, and moving to domestic, cleaner forms of energy.<\/p>\n
Public Policy\u00a0— State leaders are writing the next chapter of Ohio\u2019s energy policy right now. Conservatives need to speak up and participate in local, state, and federal energy policy deliberations.<\/p>\n
Politics\u00a0— Survey research shows all voters — conservatives and liberals, Democrats and Republicans –see clean, efficient energy as our future. There is great support among all voters — particularly younger moderate to conservative voters — for pursuing advanced, clean, and cost-efficient energy solutions. Republicans and conservatives must lead on these issues to be relevant to future generations of voters.<\/p>\n
The goal of the OHCEF is to provide a vehicle for individuals, organizations, and businesses to join the conservative conversation about Ohio\u2019s energy future in pursuit of an all-of-the-above energy policy that lowers systemic costs by increasing commitment to developing homegrown clean energy resources and expanding energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition, was on hand for the event. \u201cThe Christian Coalition of America has great concern about the recent trend of policy initiatives that seek to dismantle state renewable energy and energy efficiency standards throughout the country — including the current situation with Ohio\u2019s energy policy and where appears to be headed,\u201d Combs said.<\/p>\n
Colonel Tom Moe, U.S. Air Force retired, sits on the OHCEF\u2019s Leadership Council. He said that from a military perspective, supporting energy diversification only makes sense. \u201cIt\u2019s very simple — reliance on foreign oil is a weakness, economically, strategically, and militarily,\u201d Moe said. We rely on other countries — some hostile to the U.S. — to fuel our nation, something that creates enormous military risk and costs. If these channels of transportation were to become unavailable, the world\u2019s economy would crumble. This dependence puts us in a precarious political and economic position.\u201d<\/p>\n
OHCEF Leadership Council members Zach Upton, chairman of Ohio Young Republicans, and Christian Pancake, chairman of the Ohio College Republican Federation, noted the importance of clean and renewable energy to future generations of voters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf conservatives continue to sit on the sidelines of clean energy, we will lose this issue,\u201d Upton said. \u201cAn entire generation of voters will tune out conservative elected leaders when they talk about energy. This is unacceptable to the next generation of Republicans and unacceptable for a strong future for the Republican Party.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung Republicans and conservatives care about energy efficiency and they are starving for leadership from Republican leaders on this issue,\u201d Pancake said. \u201cThe future of the Republican party, and conservatives, hinges on issues like these.\u201d<\/p>\n
The OHCEF Leadership Council is made up of Mike Hartley, executive director, OHCEF; Tyler Duvelius, Christian Coalition state energy director-Ohio; James L. Ervin Jr., attorney and president, Ohio Black Republicans Association; Mike Gonidakis, president, Ohio Right to Life; Terry McClure, farmer, Paulding County; Colonel Tom Moe U.S. Air Force Retired; Christian Pancake, chairman, Ohio College Republican Federation; Brian Stewart, Pickaway County commissioner; and Zach Upton, Beavercreek city councilman and chairman, Ohio Young Republicans.<\/p>\n