The Sierra Club Ohio Chapter is looking for activists who would like to help educate Ohio lawmakers and constituents about the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy.  Efficiency is the most viable short-term and mid-term solution to Ohio’s energy problems. A study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy shows that Ohio customers could save $123 million in 2006, $182 million in 2010 and $432 million by 2020 through comprehensive energy efficiency programs (based on spending $51 million per year).  Comprehensive energy efficiency program would also reduce our need for new coal-burning power plants. Currently, there are 140 new power plants proposed across the U.S., 7 are proposed in Ohio.

While Ohio lawmakers continue to debate the merits of opening up our state parks, nature preserves and Lake Erie to oil and gas drilling, we need to raise awareness that drilling is not the solution to our energy problem. The solution lies in consuming less energy by using more energy efficient technologies and investing in renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar. (For more information on Senate Bill 193, the state lands drilling proposal, see Ellen Hawkey’s article in the accompanying issue of The Ohio Sierran.)

Members of the Sierra Club met with Representative Dan Stewart in late May to discuss energy efficiency solutions on the state level. This was the first meeting in a series of meetings that the Ohio Chapter plans to hold with elected officials to discuss smart energy solutions.  We hope to bring together a larger group of state representatives, from both sides of the aisle, for a frank energy discussion later this summer.

 If you are interested in helping with this campaign, please contact , Ohio Sierra Club Conservation Program Coordinator. .