Poll: A majority of Ohio voters oppose HB 6 and want to see it repealed

It’s been one month since we learned about an alleged $60 million racketeering scheme by Speaker Householder and FirstEnergy that led to the passage of House Bill 6 and egregiously defeated referendum efforts through intimidation, xenophobia, lies, and blatant corruption. 

The OEC Action Fund, Ohio Conservative Energy Forum, and NRDC Action Fund recently conducted a bipartisan poll on the potential repeal of House Bill 6. 

Findings indicate that the Ohio electorate already favors repeal of the measure, even before they are made concretely aware of the felony charges surrounding the passing of this measure in an unfolding political and industry scandal. Two-thirds of voters most likely to vote are also more likely to support state legislators in favor of repeal. Other key findings include: 

• A majority of Ohio voters (64%) oppose HB 6 and want to see it repealed. Support for repeal increases 12 points as voters hear more information.

• Six out of ten voters agree that climate change is an urgent threat. 

• Voters support the pillars of a repeal and replacement plan, including investigating FirstEnergy, a zero-carbon energy future, and an equity focused move to clean energy.

• Seven out of ten voters say they are likely to sign a petition to place HB6 on the ballot for repeal if the Legislature does not repeal it themselves. 

The poll was conducted August 6-11, 2020 by EMC Research and the Tarrance Group.

Click here to view: Polling Memo and Polling Results

OEC Action Fund Calls for Immediate Repeal of House Bill 6

Columbus, OH — Today, Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four additional co-conspirators were arrested in a $60M federal racketeering case related to the passage of House Bill 6 in 2019. From the outset, the OEC Action Fund was strongly opposed to this legislation that traded Ohio’s clean energy standards for nuclear and coal bailouts, setting us back in the fight against climate change.

The following quote can be attributed in full or part to Heather Taylor-Miesle, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund President:

“House Bill 6 has always been a bad deal for Ohioans, sticking us with dirtier air and higher utility bills while gutting our clean energy future. As we’ve suspected all along, the billion-dollar bailout, strong-armed through the General Assembly by Speaker Householder, appears to have been fueled by corrupt pay-to-play dealings with corporate utilities. Despite the fact that Ohioans overwhelmingly opposed HB 6, the disastrous legislation passed, ensuring that First Energy and its corporate investors benefited on the backs of Ohio taxpayers. When Ohioans fought back against the bad bill, they experienced outrageous, unprecedented attacks—funded by the same interests—that interfered with their democratic right to pursue a referendum at the ballot to repeal the bill.

“The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund calls on the Ohio General Assembly to immediately repeal HB 6. We call on those who were a part of the corrupt dealings to resign immediately. And we call on all Ohio lawmakers to double down on their commitments to strengthen anti-corruption legislation now. Ohioans deserve better.”

OEC Action Fund Applauds Columbus City Council Vote Putting Community Choice Aggregation on Nov. 2020 Ballot

Columbus, OH — At Monday’s Columbus City Council meeting, the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund provided testimony in support of legislation to put community choice aggregation, with a commitment to move Columbus to 100 percent renewable energy, on the ballot.

Columbus City Council voted in favor of placing the community choice aggregation measure on the November 2020 ballot, the next step in the process.

The primary goals identified by the City for the aggregation program are to: (1) provide competitive retail energy supply costs for Columbus citizens and small businesses; (2) support renewable energy development, especially local renewable energy generation, to advance Columbus’ sustainable economy; and (3) to ensure that energy supplier(s) provide quality, reliable service and first-rate customer service. 

The following statement can be attributed to Miranda Leppla, Vice President of Energy Policy for the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund:

“Bold action at the city level to address climate change is more urgent than ever. The OEC Action Fund applauds the leadership by Columbus City Council and the Mayor’s office to move forward with community choice aggregation to move the city to 100% renewable energy and to bolster energy efficiency. 

“Ohioans overwhelmingly support climate action. By putting community choice aggregation on the ballot, Columbus voters will have the opportunity to voice their support for local investment in 100 percent clean, renewable energy — an important step in helping Columbus reduce its carbon footprint and fight the impacts of climate change while also taking control of our energy costs and remedying environmental injustices within our community.” 

OEC Action Fund Statement on Columbus City Council Community Choice Aggregation Hearing

Columbus, Ohio — At Tuesday’s Columbus City Council joint meeting of the Public Utilities & Environment Committees, the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund provided testimony in support of upcoming legislation to put community choice aggregation, with a commitment to move Columbus to 100 percent renewable energy, on the ballot.

The primary goals identified by the City for the aggregation program are to: (1) provide competitive retail energy supply costs for Columbus citizens and small businesses; (2) support renewable energy development, especially local renewable energy generation, to advance Columbus’ sustainable economy; and (3) to ensure that energy supplier(s) provide quality, reliable service and first-rate customer service. 

Columbus City Council is scheduled to vote on July 20 to place the community choice aggregation measure on the November 2020 ballot. 

The following statement can be attributed to Miranda Leppla, Vice President of Energy Policy for the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund:

“The OEC Action Fund applauds the leadership by Columbus City Council and the Mayor’s office to move forward with community choice aggregation to move the city to 100 percent renewable energy and to bolster energy efficiency. Because our state legislature recently dismantled Ohio’s critically important state renewable portfolio and energy efficiency standards, bold action at the city level to address climate change is more urgent than ever. 

“Ohioans overwhelmingly support climate action. By putting community choice aggregation on the ballot, Columbus voters will have the opportunity to voice their support for local investment in 100 percent clean, renewable energy — an important step in helping Columbus reduce its carbon footprint and fight the impacts of climate change while also taking control of our energy costs and remedying environmental injustices within our community.”

OEC Action Fund celebrates park levy wins

Columbus, OH — The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund celebrates the passage of our endorsed park levies in Erie MetroParks and Stark County Park District. 

“Access to nearby nature is critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities, but Ohio ranks close to last among the 50 states in acres of public land available per person,” said Max Schaefer, Northeast Ohio Regional Director for the OEC Action Fund. “We thank voters in Erie and Stark counties for passing their respective park levies in order to provide access to Ohio’s vibrant natural landscapes and essential programming for the community.”

The OEC Action Fund seeks to protect and enhance the environment, health and economic viability, and democracy of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions. We are the statewide political voice for Ohio’s environment. We work to elect environmentally responsible candidates in Ohio and to pass park levies that expand access to public land. 

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OEC Action Fund PAC celebrates endorsed candidate wins

Columbus, OH — All of Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC AF) PAC’s endorsed candidates won their primary elections: 

• State Representative David Leland - Ohio House District 22

• Dontavius Jarrells - Ohio House District 25

• State Representative Sedrick Denson - Ohio House District 33

“In the face of climate change we need state legislators that prioritize and defend the environment,” said Sarah Montell of the OEC Action Fund PAC. “We are pleased to see these environmental champions win their primary elections and look forward to ensuring these candidates are elected to the Ohio Statehouse in November.”

The OEC Action Fund and its affiliated PAC seek to protect and enhance the environment, health and economic viability, and democracy of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions. We are the statewide political voice for Ohio’s environment. We work to elect environmentally responsible candidates in Ohio and to pass park levies that expand access to public land. 

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OEC Action Fund Statement on Emergency Legislation to Curtail Water and Utility Shutoffs Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Columbus, OH — Today, the Ohio General Assembly passed emergency legislation in response to the coronavirus outbreak. A key piece of Amended Substitute House Bill 197 provides the Director of the Ohio EPA (OEPA) the ability to issue orders to all public water systems to ensure access to water while Governor DeWine’s executive order (2020-01D) stands. The Director can issue an order to require public water systems to restore service to any disconnected customers, waive connection fees, and prohibit water disconnections due to nonpayment. This expands upon a recent PUCO order by ensuring that all water systems continue to provide water service to homes and businesses during the coronavirus outbreak. The bill now heads to Governor DeWine for his signature.

The following statement can be attributed to Heather Taylor-Miesle, President of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund:

“Access to safe water and public health are inextricably linked. The OEC Action Fund commends the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly for its leadership in responding to this public health emergency and recognizing that water is a basic need for Ohioans. No Ohioans should have to worry about their water being shut off, especially during a public health crisis. This is the right approach and will help families across our state to protect their loved ones.”