The proposals at the Statehouse to subsidize FirstEnergy’s two nuclear plants are getting some pushback from about 40 different entities in Ohio.
The Coalition Against Nuclear Bailouts has bipartisan support from elected officials, pastors and even organizations like AARP and the Ohio Coin Machine Association.
Jenn Klein is with the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council, and says so many groups have signed on because the projected costs affect everyone in the state.
“Whether you’re a small mom-and-pop shop, a homeowner or a large manufacturer, the proposal has the up-to $200-300 million annually impact in new customer charged for up to 16 years.”
Klein adds that her group supports many different forms of electricity, but the forecast for the two aging nuclear plants is not good.
“We’re enjoying historically low wholesale power prices. Forward markets predict those prices remain stable. And as generation moves to natural gas, those prices will remain low even more so because the region is awash in natural gas due to Utica Shale development.”
Klein also says that keeping the nuclear plants afloat could also jeopardize demand for private investment in natural gas generation.
She’s leading the effort along with several people including Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill. He says he joined because private investment in natural gas plants in his city will be creating jobs, while providing a $300 million subsidy to the utility is a bad investment.
A call for comment to FirstEnergy was not returned over the weekend, but the utility has issued the following statement:
Nuclear energy is an integral component of Ohio’s electric generation portfolio, providing critical economic, environmental, grid resiliency, fuel diversity and other benefits to our state. Despite their clear advantages, nuclear plants are facing an uncertain future. Establishing a mechanism that reflects and preserves their value, similar to what other states have already done, is in the best interest of Ohio consumers and communities.
We have seen a broad base of support for the Zero-Emissions Nuclear Resource (ZEN) Program that includes local officials from across the state, school systems around the plants, clergy groups, labor organizations, suppliers and vendors, and businesses of all sizes. Ensuring nuclear plants remain part of the state’s electricity generation portfolio is the right thing to do for Ohio’s energy future.
The Coalition Against Nuclear Bailouts includes the following groups:
AARP
Alliance for Energy Choice
American Petroleum Institute Ohio
Bowling Centers Association of Ohio
Clean Energy Future
Cleveland City Councilman Ken Johnson
Columbiana County Commissioner Mike Halleck
Columbiana Mayor Bryan Brakeman
Community Mobilization Coaltion
Cuyahoga County Councilman Anthony Harrison
Dan Crouse, Routh Hurlbert Real Estate
David Johnson, CEO, Summitville Tiles, Inc.
Energy Professionals of Ohio (EPO)
Harrison County Commissioner Dale Norris
Joe Knab, Green Township Board of Zoning Appeals
Landowners for Energy Access and Safe Exploration
Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill
Maumee City Councilman Dan Hazard
Mayfield Heights City Councilmember Donna R. Finney
Mike Baach, President & CEO, Philpott Solutions Group
Minister Jerry Primm of East Cleveland Concern Pastors
NARO Appalachia
National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO)
New Bethel Baptist Church Reverend Kenneth Simon
Newtown Falls Mayor Lyle Waddell
Nick Homrighausen, Executive Director of Community & Economic Development, Harrison County
Nita Thomas, Hamilton County Westside Community Action
Ohio Chemistry Technology Council
Ohio Coin Machine Association
Ohio Licensed Beverage Association
Ohio Manufacturers Association
Ohio Oil and Gas Association
Ohio State Grange
Oregon City Administrator Mike Beazley
Pastor Jimmy Gates of Kinsmen Pastors
Pastor Tony Minor of UNITED Pastors
Quality Water Systems
Regina Mitchell, President, Warren Fabricating and Machining Corporation
Stark County Black Caucus
Stark County Concerned Pastors
Trumbull County Commissioner Daniel Polivka
Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda
Trumbull County Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin
We the People Ohio Valley
Wilmington Mayor John Stanforth
Youngstown Warren Black Caucus
Zanesville Patriots
