March 1, 2012 Ohio Energy Initiative Commission ... - Ohio Citizen Action

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Mar 1, 2012 - We are writing to you in reference to the “Ohio Clean Energy Initiative.” We regret ... include, but n
March 1, 2012 Ohio Energy Initiative Commission, LLC c/o John Clarke, Project Coordinator, ProEnergy Ohio 4449 Easton Way, 2nd Floor Columbus, Ohio 43219-6140 Dear Mr. Clarke, The undersigned organizations represent a broad swath of clean energy advocates. We are writing to you in reference to the “Ohio Clean Energy Initiative.” We regret to inform you that we cannot support this effort for the following reasons, and ask that you and your colleagues, whoever they may be, cease efforts to put it on the ballot. Unprecedented and Unacceptable Lack of Transparency and Accountability The language of the proposed constitutional amendment would send $13 billion in public funds to a Delaware LLC, called the Ohio Energy Initiative Commission, LLC, (OEIC) and give it sole control over how thefunds will be spent. The Ohio General Assembly, and other state agencies, would be prohibited from providing input on how those funds would be allocated. Furthermore, the amendment would provide the OEIC $65,000,000 in annual management fees. The proposed amendment does not say how members of the OEIC will be selected, or even that they will be selected. The proposed structure--giving a private and anonymous company control of public benefit funds--is unprecedented and extremely alarming. The lack of transparency and accountability is completely unacceptable. Qualifying Technologies Under the Section (A)(1) of the proposed Constitutional Amendment, eligible energy infrastructure capital improvement is defined as projects that “shall include, but not be limited to, solar, wind, biomass, battery technology, and geothermal facilities…” (emphasis added) This language is overly broad, and vague to the point that any technology or expenditure may be included. Without proper precision defining eligible expenditures, there is no guarantee that funds will be used to benefit the advancement of legitimate clean energy efforts—to the detriment of citizens of Ohio. Over the past several years, Ohio has made significant strides towards a cleaner energy economy. This has been the result of bipartisan support for clean energy initiatives and the efforts of a wide range of stakeholders including businesses, environmental organizations, utility companies, labor groups, as well as individual

Ohioans. We have been working hard to accelerate Ohio’s transition to a clean energy future in a timely and responsible manner. With that said, the abovementioned concerns make it impossible for us to support your ballot initiative. We believe that it does not follow established good-government practices, has an unacceptable lack of transparency and accountability, and will not be effective. For these reasons, we also ask that you, and your anonymous colleagues, cease efforts to put this fatally flawed initiative on the ballot. Sincerely, Jed Thorp Manager Sierra Club, Ohio Chapter

Brian Kaiser Director, Green Jobs & Innovation Ohio Environmental Council

Carrie Hitt Vice President, State Affairs Solar Energy Industries Association

Julian Boggs State Policy Advocate Environment Ohio

Tracy Sabetta National Wildlife Federation

Stephanie Spear President Expedite Renewable Energy

Robert Kelter Senior Attorney Environmental Law & Policy Center

Catherine Turcer Ohio’s Citizen Action’s Money in Politics Project

Steve Frenkel Midwest Office Director Union of Concerned Scientists

Dylan Sullivan Staff Scientist Natural Resources Defense Council

Cheryl Johncox Executive Director Buckeye Forest Council