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by Jennifer Miller
 Sierra Club continues to celebrate the bi-partisan passage of the
energy bill in May. The recently adopted energy efficiency and
renewable energy standards address several of Ohioans’ major
concerns: the rising cost of energy, energy security, the struggling
economy, and global warming. A move towards cleaner energy will
transform our economy creating jobs, stimulating industry, and
reducing energy costs. Costing less than one-third the expense
of building a new coal-fired power plant and one-fifth the cost
of a new nuclear facility, energy efficiency is our cheapest
and most readily available option. According to the Department
of Energy, 10% of the world’s energy is used in U.S. buildings,
and much of this energy is wasted through inefficiency. Making
buildings more efficient creates jobs for roofers, HVAC workers,
manufacturers, carpenters, insulation installers, and others,
while reducing reliance on costly, dirty coal. Research by McKinsey
and Company suggests that energy efficiency could offset most
of the projected demand for electricity in 2030, largely reversing
the need for new coal-fired plants.
Sierra Club is now taking an active role in the rulemaking process
by the Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Utilities will
have to follow PUCO rules when developing plans to assist their
customers in achieving greater efficiency; utilities are likely
to provide a number of incentives for customers to be more efficient
like rebates on appliances or weatherization products. The Sierra
Club has joined a coalition of other environmental groups and
consumer advocates to submit comment on PUCO rules. We are
particularly
concerned with PUCO rules that allow special arrangements or
opt-outs on energy efficiency requirements to utilities and
some customers.
Such arrangements could make it difficult for Ohio to meet or
exceed the standards set forth in the law. The Sierra Club
is also asking
the PUCO to ensure public confidence in energy efficiency achievements
with consistent monitoring and verification programs, and provide
fair incentives for consumers and utilities to invest in electric
energy efficiency.
Northeast Ohio is essential is bringing energy efficiency
to light! The Sierra Club has the goal of delivering 1500+ public
comments to the PUCO as quickly
as possible, and we are over half way to our goal. Go to www.ohio.sierraclub.org today to sign our action alert. To write a letter to the editor, contact
Jennifer Miller at jennifer.miller@sierraclub.org or (614)
461.0734 ext 304 for more
details. Check out www.sierraclub.org/wecandoit/home/mr_green_checklist.pdf from tips
on making your own home or workplace more efficient.
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The City of Cleveland's 
Do you know of a local environmental issue in need
of attention? Do you have inside information on what's
going on in your city or township? With over 5,000
members in Northeast Ohio we count on you to be the
Club's eyes and ears of the region. While the Federal
government and large corporations continue to wreak
havoc on our environment, it is more important than
ever before to act as watchdogs in our own backyards.
For those new to
calling state or federal representatives, it's easier and
less confrontational than it sounds. You will never
speak directly with your rep or senator - an aide
will answer the phone, take brief notes plus your name and city (sometimes), and that's it.