Energy Efficiency
The OEC is committed to improving energy efficiency in Ohio.
Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce the pollution and environmental impact associated with utility electricity production. Efficiency is about conservation, and conservation is about individual choices.
 Every
Ohioan can reduce pollution by using energy wisely. Energy
efficiency not only saves money, but reduces the environmental
damage and health effects of power plants. The cleanest
kilowatt-hour is the one unused.
As
the enormous costs associated with conventional energy production
become increasingly obvious, efficiency and renewable energy
sources are becoming increasingly competitive.
An easy way
for consumers to conserve energy is by looking for the
Energy Star logo on energy efficient
products.
According to EPA’s Energy Star Program,
if every household in the U.S. replaced
one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road!
Please click here (external link) for more information about Ohio energy efficiency programs and resources.
| Loan Fund
Makes Renewable Energy a Reality |
The Ohio Environmental Council championed
an innovative low-interest energy efficiency loan fund as
part of a state law to deregulate Ohio’s electric
utilities.
The Ohio Energy Loan Fund enables below market-rate
loans to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
educational, and non-profit customers to implement energy
efficiency and renewable energy projects including solar,
wind, and solar thermal systems.
The loan fund was established
in 1999 under the electric restructuring legislation (Am.
Sub. Senate Bill 3, 123rd G.A.) and is administered by the Ohio
Office of Energy Efficiency.
| Ohio's New Energy Efficiency Standards |
In 2008, Governor Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly passed into law Ohio Senate Bill 221, which will provide Ohio with strong Energy Efficiency Standards that promises energy savings, lower energy costs, and new jobs and investment in Ohio’s economy.
In spring 2009, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted rules that will govern Ohio's energy efficiency requirements. Read OEC's fact sheet.
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