COLUMBUS, OH - A coalition of environmental groups and clean energy advocates are working together to send a strong message to the Ohio Legislature: “Thaw the freeze because Ohioans are watching.” Paid messages have covered billboards, radio, social and print media.
Already the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund has a high-profile billboard at
Broad and State streets sending the message to elected officials in the Ohio Statehouse:
“Ohioans deserve to know if their lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that will raise their electric bills and foul up our air,” said Trish Demeter, managing director of energy programs at the OEC Action Fund. “We’re putting the legislature on notice that if you rush through this sloppy bill, voters in your district will know and you’ll be expected to answer for your vote.”
To reach audiences beyond Columbus, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Action Fund is calling on Republican Ohio Senators to back Republican Ohio Governor John Kasich, who is in favor of enforceable standards. A $10,000 radio advertisement in the Dayton media market ran from Saturday, December 3 through Monday, December 5.
“The renewable and energy efficiency standards have been on ice long enough while study after study has shown that clean energy is overwhelmingly popular for Democrats and Republicans alike,” said Samantha Williams, staff attorney and policy advocate for the NRDC Action Fund. “Ohio legislators must know they will be held accountable if they keep kicking the can down the road on clean energy.”
A poll conducted in Ohio by NextGen Climate found that 80 percent of Ohioans want to see expanded use of clean, renewable energy. The same poll noted strong support across the political spectrum, clean energy policies were supported by 75 percent of Republicans in the state.
City councils in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Youngstown and Toledo have all passed resolutions urging the Ohio Legislature to restore the renewable and energy efficiency standards as set forth in Senate Bill 221. The standards from SB 221 created a clean energy economy that supported 100,000 jobs and saved consumers over $1 billion.
Digital ads are also running on Facebook with messages to Ohio mothers on the public health impact of clean energy policies.
“The 275,000 Ohio children with asthma are counting on our lawmakers to protect them from harmful emissions by investing in the development of clean energy sources,” said Tracy Sabetta, representing Moms Clean Air Force in Ohio. “We have been connecting with our busy moms across Ohio through Facebook advertisements that allow them to reach out to their elected officials and make their voices heard.”
Faith in Public Life Action took out print ads in the Mansfield News Journal, Canton Repository, Chillicothe Gazette, Zanesville Times Recorder and Newark Advocate featuring a sign-on letter from more than 100 members of the faith community.
“Faith communities felt they needed to raise their voice about the moral necessity of transitioning Ohio to a clean energy economy,” said Amanda Hoyt, Ohio director of Faith in Public Life Action. “We have a sacred duty to one another, and to our children, to care for God’s creation and protect it for future generations. It’s time to unfreeze the renewable energy standard.”