NEWS

Clean Air Act benefits all

12/16/2008

Akron Beacon Journal

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s recent comments on theClean Air Act (’‘Ohio EPA urges Congress to act,’’ Dec. 3) are a much needed show of leadership. The agency’s stance is commendable, especially in light of the last eight years of federal inaction. Establishing a cap-and-trade program for pollution control has proved a successful way to provide funding for the transition to clean energies like wind and solar.

Just recently, Maryland brought in $16.3 million through a similar plan, using this revenue to pay for state energy-efficiency and conservation programs. Northeast Ohio’s robust network of manufacturers could capitalize on cap-and-trade and bring good jobs back to the area.

Implementing a federal policy would allow investments in clean energy and create over 80,000 jobs in Ohio, according to a study from the University of Massachusetts Political Economy Research Institute (PERI).

Cap-and-trade is supported by President-elect Obama, and for good reasons. Not only does this provide revenue for state budgets, but the money from the permit auctions can be used to increase incentives like solar grants that encourage energy efficiency and renewable-energy use. The revenue from the widely supported plan of the president-elect would fund the transition to a clean-energy economy.

We need continued leadership on this critical issue in Columbus and in Washington. Ohioans should encourage such leaders as Sens. George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown to support the president-elect’s clean-energy plans. We need bold actions to rebuild, repower and refuel America.

Micah Vieux
Ohio League of Conservation Voters
Columbus