Columbus, OH — Given recent reports of Energy Harbor stock buybacks meant to benefit corporate shareholders, on the heels of a $1 billion bailout for the company and in the midst of a global pandemic, the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund has issued the following statement.
The following statement can be attributed in full or in part to Heather Taylor-Miesle, President of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund:
“At a time when people are struggling to pay their bills to keep their lights on, looking for work, and concerned about getting sick during a global pandemic, the reports of Energy Harbor stock buybacks—when they are taking the public’s money—are absolutely sickening.
“For years, anti-renewable energy legislators tried to repeal Ohio’s clean energy and energy efficiency standards. And for years, we successfully fought back to protect them. But last year, they dismantled those standards by tucking them into House Bill 6 (HB 6), a “clean air” bill that bailed out two nuclear and two coal plants.
“From the outset of HB 6, special interests influenced lawmakers, ensuring that corporate investors benefited while sticking Ohioans with dirtier air and higher utility bills. When Ohioans spoke out against the bad bill and worked to place it on the ballot for referendum, we experienced outrageous and unprecedented attacks. It is clear that FirstEnergy Solutions, its successor, and those lawmakers who supported HB 6 have failed hardworking Ohioans in support of egregious corporate interests.
“Our leaders have tough decisions in the coming days about how to restart our economy. Rather than cutting crucial programs that keep our communities safe and thriving, leaders should immediately stop all public money going to this dishonest company and their greedy shareholders.”
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