Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley this weekend took to Twitter to promote an energy plan for the Buckeye State that excludes fossil-fuel production in favor of renewables.
“Check out mine and [running mate Cheryl Stephens’s] energy plan … ,” she wrote. “1. Reform the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) so consumer interests are at its core; 2. Spur innovation & create good-paying, union jobs in clean energy; 3. Build climate resilient communities.”
The former Dayton mayor, who will face incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine (R) in November, details her energy platform on her website. Therein, she sets a goal of supplying 100 percent of the state government’s energy needs through solar, wind and other renewable sources by 2030. She anticipates converting the state vehicle fleet entirely to electric and hybrid machines and supporting local government efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Whaley’s strategy makes no mention of natural gas, neglecting a major industry in eastern Ohio that sits atop part of the Marcellus Shale. Her plan also does not discuss domestic oil production nor coal mining except to call for ending coal subsidies enacted via the infamous House Bill 6 and for implementing “policies to ensure the workers facing closures of coal and nuclear plants are able to transition to jobs with living wages and/or union membership.”
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Paduchik tweeted Saturday to spell out what he considers the upshots of Whaley’s agenda.
“The rest of [the] @nanwhaley energy plan … ,” he began: “4. raise gas prices so people can’t afford to drive cars; 5. destroy domestic energy production and force us to rely on foreign adversaries; 6. create massive inflation caused by boneheaded regulations; 7. destroy American energy jobs.”
Whaley and Stephens argue that their approach to energy policy will ultimately aid consumers, noting that current international conflict has played a role in driving up fuel prices.
“Ohio needs policies that will stabilize and reduce costs to families and businesses,” Whaley writes of her energy strategy. “Ohio has what it takes to drive our economy with new, clean and renewable fuels. If we do not reduce our reliance on global oil, international events will determine our cost and supply and threaten our pocketbooks.”
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Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Ohio Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Nan Whaley” by Nan Whaley. Background Photo “Fossil Fuel Emissions” by CEphoto. CC BY-SA 3.0.
