Addressing Climate Change - Ohio’s Role
In May 2007, the State of Ohio joined with 30 other states to help found The Climate Registry. This ground-breaking organization will help Ohio industries play an important leadership role, at both the national and state level, in recognizing and addressing the impact of GHG emissions on climate change.
The Registry is a developing uniform way of calculating and verifying GHG emissions and will serve as a “one-stop shop” for reporting and tracking businesses’ GHG emissions.
The Climate Registry will provide Ohio businesses and other entities with a uniformly accepted means of calculating and tracking GHG emissions and enhance their ability to anticipate the impacts of impending GHG laws on their operations.
As many Ohio companies recognize a need or desire to reduce their GHG emissions, participation in the Registry will allow them to develop the necessary baselines against which future reductions can be credibly compared.
The Registry will provide for a more accurate system of tracking emissions of GHGs from organizations across North America, resulting in more transparent and consistent data throughout the nation and continent. As of December 2007, the Registry’s member list includes 39 U.S. states, four Canadian Provinces and two Mexican states.
In addition to participating in the Registry, Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski has formed an internal Ohio EPA climate change task force to monitor federal and state developments on this subject. Task force members are actively monitoring the many global warming bills currently under consideration in Congress and Director Korleski is evaluating Ohio EPA’s next steps to address climate change at the state level.
Other key agencies leading efforts related to energy use and climate policy in Ohio include the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) and Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Energy Office.
On August 28, 2007 Governor Strickland announced his Energy, Jobs and Progress plan. In the plan, Governor Strickland emphasized the need for action to help address the threat of climate change.
To further our efforts to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Ohio supports the development of carbon capture and storage technology that involves injecting carbon dioxide deep into the Earth instead of sending it into the atmosphere. This could significantly reduce the effect of coal on our climate. Ohio EPA is currently reviewing a permit application for a Class V carbon dioxide injection well, associated with a pilot project at the First Energy Berger Plant in Belmont County. This is the first project of this type in Ohio. In April 2008, Ohio EPA will be holding a public hearing to provide information on the permit and accept public comments.
On May 1, 2008, Governor Ted Strickland signed substitute Senate Bill 221 into law, establishing an alternative energy portfolio standard (AEPS) for the state of Ohio. The law mandates that by 2025, at least 25 percent of all electricity sold in the state come from alternative energy resources. At least half of the standard, or 12.5 percent of electricity sold, must be generated by renewable sources such as wind, solar (which must account for at least 0.5 percent of electricity use by 2025), hydropower, geothermal or biomass. At least half of this renewable energy must be generated in-state.
SB 221 also requires the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to adopt rules establishing greenhouse-gas reporting requirements, including participation in the Climate Registry, which aims to develop a common system for tracking GHG emissions across states within North America.
At the Midwestern Governors Association’s Energy Summit in November 2007, many Midwestern governors convened in Milwaukee to discuss a region wide strategy to address greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy. Several Governors signed the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, a commitment Midwest states agreed upon to address greenhouse gas emissions. Ohio joined as an observer.
If you have questions or suggestions about Ohio EPA’s efforts to address climate change, contact Robyn Kenney or Carolina Prado in the Division of Air Pollution Control. For questions or comments about these Web pages, please contact our Webmaster.
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority
www.ohioairquality.org/energy/default.asp
The role of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority is to provide for the conservation of air as a natural resource of the state to prevent or abate the pollution of the air, to provide for the comfort, health, safety and general welfare of all citizens of the state and to assist in the financing of air quality facilities for industry, commerce, and research. Under the Strickland administration, Ohio has joined a growing number of states committed to identifying alternative sources of clean energy and assessing how best to prepare Ohio for a future in which greenhouse gas emissions are constrained.
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The Climate Registry
www.theclimateregistry.org
Collaboration between states, provinces and tribes aimed at developing and managing a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system with high integrity that is capable of supporting various greenhouse gas emission reporting and reduction policies for its member states and tribes and reporting entities.
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Ohio Department of Development - Ohio Energy Office
www.odod.ohio.gov/cdd/oee
The Ohio Energy Office (OEO) works with individuals, communities, non-profit organizations, businesses large and small, industry, and other government agencies to achieve a robust economy supported by multiple energy sources, energy efficiency and advanced technology with added value for the quality of life for all Ohioans.
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Midwestern Governors Association
www.midwesterngovernors.org/about.htm
Nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that brings together the governors of 12 states to work cooperatively on public policy issues of significance to the Midwestern region. The MGA was created in December 1962. Members include the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
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