CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The first of four public forums focusing on Ohio's energy future begins at 5 p.m. Monday at the Great Lakes Science Center. Admission is free.
More than a dozen speakers will talk about what Ohio's energy future ought to look like, and how Northeast Ohio's industries, institutions and public policies could fit into that future.
For a complete list of speakers, click here here.
Topics will include the future of renewable energy installations such as rooftop solar and wind farms, and the fate of industries manufacturing parts and products for energy efficiency.
A study paid for by the state -- but never officially released or publicized -- found that these industries employed more than 30,000 people in 2012.
Organized by Ohio Advanced Energy Economy, an advocacy group for energy efficiency manufacturers, Monday night's public discussions also come as a special committee of state lawmakers ponders whether to modify or make permanent a two-year freeze on Ohio's energy efficiency rules.
Republican lawmakers pushed through a change in Ohio law early last summer pausing for two years rules that since 2009 have required power companies to help customers use less electricity annually by installing more efficient lighting and equipment and adopting more efficient practices.
The law, as originally written, required a 22 percent reduction in power use by 2025, compared to 2009 levels. Heavy industry and utilities, led by Akron-based FirstEnergy, convinced lawmakers the rules could drive up the cost of power, though the law required such programs to save more than they cost. FirstEnergy has since signaled it is closing down most of its consumer efficiency programs.
The forums also come at a time when energy efficiency and renewable energy are headed for a national debate, one that has already overshadowed the debates in Ohio.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced proposed power plant carbon dioxide emission rules for 2030, and it is requiring state agencies to figure out ways to meet the new rules.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio EPA have recently replied that reducing emissions would require the closing of coal-fired power plants and construction of natural gas-fire power plants -- all of which would be too expensive.
The state agencies did not offer energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions, however. Green energy and efficiency advocates believe Ohio would be able to meet the federal standards if it were to re-adopt the 2009 efficiency and renewable energy standards.
For more information -- and to register to be included in future email announcements for events in Columbus, Toledo and Dayton, click here.