• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Greater Cleveland Partnership Supports Amending State Energy Bill to Develop Advanced Energy Resources

Posted on: Thursday, 6 December 2007, 12:00 CST

CLEVELAND, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) Board of Directors has approved a forward-thinking energy policy that calls for maintaining stable rates and fostering development of advanced energy resources. With the state energy bill (S.B. 221) entering a critical stage, the GCP Energy Policy outlines a plan to meet the enormous challenges facing Ohio.

Through GCP's catalytic endeavors to develop business growth in Northeast Ohio, it is promoting an energy policy to keep costs manageable and improve Ohio's business environment. "Like many of the business groups in Ohio, the GCP supports maintaining predictable rates for business big and small which are dealing with some of the highest utility rates and energy costs in the country," said Joe Roman, GCP president. "Where we decided to take a stand is in the development of alternative energy sources, which present tremendous economic development opportunities. Northeast Ohio should lead the way in promoting their use."

The GCP Energy Policy has four overarching goals: 1. Sound energy policy at the state and federal level should move Ohio and the nation toward energy independence through less reliance on foreign sources and by stimulating long-term economic growth. 2. In the overall context of development of a sound energy policy, the GCP supports Governor Ted Strickland's hybrid proposal for setting rates. 3. The bill should include an aggressive advanced energy portfolio standard (AEPS) to generate economic growth and mitigate the economic impacts associated with environmental regulations, as well as effective benchmarks for implementation. 4. The GCP supports the elements of the bill that will provide incentives that capitalize on Ohio's abundance of coal, encouraging the use of clean coal technology.

No other region of Ohio has more to gain by the development of advanced energy sources. Cleveland is a leader with its world-class educational institutions, healthcare and research assets and strong manufacturing base. Bill Christopher, GCP's chair of advocacy and Group President for Alcoa in Cleveland said, "Cleveland is not only a center for manufacturing, it is also a hotbed for innovation, and is uniquely positioned to develop advanced energy solutions. Meeting head-on the environmental challenges facing our region provides the obvious improvement in our air quality, but also provides economic development opportunities for the community."

GCP is committed to taking an active role in shaping Ohio and the Federal energy policy. GCP considers the development of new and advanced energy sources to include clean coal, wind, solar, fuel cells, and nuclear energy. The complete GCP Energy Policy is available online at http://www.gcpartnership.com/.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the primary voice for businesses in Greater Cleveland, seeks to create jobs and improve the economic vitality of the region. Its priorities include technology, innovation and high-growth businesses; connected physical development; education and workforce development; and business attraction, retention and expansion. The GCP emphasizes service to its more than 17,700 members; advocacy on behalf of members and the region; diversity and inclusion; and internationalization of the region and its businesses.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership

CONTACT: Amanda Marko of The Greater Cleveland Partnership,+1-216-592-2205, amarko@gcpartnership.com

Web site: http://www.gcpartnership.com/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

More News in this Category