A coalition that reflects the scope of interest
In contrast to the polarized politics that dominated the Ohio legislature in 2014, organizers of Ohio’s Energy Future Tour stress that it is a bipartisan effort.
“Ohio’s Energy Future Tour is being planned and implemented by a broad, bipartisan coalition of businesses, local governments, nonprofits and trade associations—a coalition that reflects the scope of interest in these issues across the state,” said spokesperson Jane Harf.
Among the 16 speakers at the Cleveland program were moderator Tom Chema of The Gateway Group, Ronn Richard of the Cleveland Foundation, Andrew Watterson of Key Bank, and Jenita McGowan of the City of Cleveland. Other panelists included leaders from business, academia, healthcare and the community.
Presentations spotlighted a variety of technologies.
“We think Ohio could be a leader in renewable energy,” stressed Dennis Bollinger, who coordinates North American projects for Energy Developments, Inc. The company has invested $105 million in plants that convert landfill gas to energy in Lorain, Mahoning and Ottawa counties.
“The projects provide the utilities with a very consistent baseload supply source,” said Bollinger. Landfills produce gas around the clock all year, so that gas can produce electricity 24/7 too, he explained. “We take an otherwise wasted resource, and we put it to a beneficial use.”
Solar energy “is very viable. It works in Ohio,” said Alan Frasz of Dovetail Solar and Wind in Athens, Ohio.