Organizations applaud Reps. Brent and Weinstein for sponsor testimony on the Energy Jobs and Justice Act
Press Release, OEC Action Fund and Black Environmental Leaders Action Fund, May 10, 2022
“Ohioans have experienced decades of inequitable energy policy largely favoring utilities and fossil fuel industries that contribute heavily to our region's emissions, at the expense of our health and our pocketbooks,” said Nolan Rutschilling, Managing Director of Energy Policy for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund. “We appreciate Rep. Brent and Rep. Weinstein’s leadership in advancing the Energy Jobs and Justice Act. As they demonstrated in their sponsor testimony today, this comprehensive clean energy policy—rooted in equity, economic development, and accountability—will deliver the healthier environment Ohioans deserve.”
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Rep. Juanita Brent signs on as lead co-sponsor of the Energy Jobs and Justice Act
State Representative Juanita Brent (District 12-Cleveland) has joined State Representative Casey Weinstein (District 37-Hudson) in leading the charge on the Energy Jobs and Justice Act (House Bill 429) as the lead co-sponsor for the legislation. Representative Brent released a video announcement of her lead co-sponsorship.
To see Rep. Brent’s announcement video, click here.
Organizations thank Rep. Juanita Brent for her lead co-sponsorship of the Energy Jobs and Justice Act
Press Release, OEC Action Fund and Black Environmental Leaders, April 4, 2022
“Ohio can demonstrate groundbreaking leadership by implementing a comprehensive energy policy centered on equity, jobs and increased accountability,” said SeMia Bray, Executive Director of the Black Environmental Leaders Action Fund, also supporting the legislation. “We look forward to working with Representative Brent to advance bold climate action like the Energy Jobs and Justice Act to secure a healthier, more equitable clean energy future for all Ohioans.”
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Ohio Black legislators’ energy agenda includes fairness for all ratepayers
Energy News Network, February 28, 2022.
“The caucus is supporting HB 429, the Energy Jobs & Justice Act, which is designed to ensure that clean-energy benefits are directed at those historically and disproportionately harmed by Ohio’s current energy market. Under the bill, we would create the Office of Energy Justice to ensure decisions made by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio follow the principles of energy justice.”
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Secure our energy future, pass Energy Jobs and Justice Act
Letter to the Editor, dispatch.com, December 6, 2021
“We must urge our lawmakers to stop allowing regulated utilities to turn them into lapdogs in front of the rest of the nation. Let’s move beyond utility-sponsored roadblocks to our energy future and embrace the Energy Jobs and Justice Act.”
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Ohio Energy Jobs and Justice Act will yield a clean, equitable energy future: Casey Weinstein and Stephanie Howse
Op-Ed, Cleveland.com: November 19, 2021
“The Energy Jobs & Justice Act is a major step towards restoring the Ohio promise of better jobs and brighter futures by implementing clean energy strategies that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and allow us to reap the benefits of clean-energy job growth and development. If we do not embrace clean energy development, businesses will choose to locate in states that cater to their sustainability goals. We cannot afford to be left behind in the clean energy economy.”
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Ohio Bill Emphasizes Jobs and Justice on Path to 100% Clean Energy by 2050
Energy News Network: September 22, 2021
“HB 429 is especially timely in the wake of the ongoing scandal involving former House Speaker Larry Householder and others in an alleged $60 million corruption scheme, primarily funded by FirstEnergy and affiliates, to elect Householder-friendly legislators, pass House Bill 6 and block a voter referendum on it. The 2019 law provided subsidies for two nuclear plants and two old coal plants, propped up utility revenues, and gutted Ohio’s clean energy standards.”
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Lawmakers Propose New Renewable Energy Standards, Streamlining Clean Energy Projects and Investing in 'Energy Rooted in Equity'
The Statehouse News Bureau: September 21, 2021
“What do you think it would do mentally, emotionally?" Howse said at a press conference at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. "You’d be like, ‘You know what? They’re actually thinking about our future.’ They will actually have, plant seeds that ‘I want to be here. I want to raise my family here.’”
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Northeast Ohio House Democrats introduce energy reforms with the Energy Jobs and Justice Act
ABC News 5 Cleveland: September 21, 2021
"I think there is truly a bipartisan opportunity to take the next step and say now that we've kicked that bad energy policy to the curb what do we want Ohio's energy future to look like now,” Weinstein said.
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Reps. Howse, Weinstein to introduce Energy Jobs & Justice Act
CLEVELAND— Reps. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) will hold a press conference on Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Great Lakes Science Center to announce the Energy Jobs & Justice Act, comprehensive energy policy rooted in equity, economic development, and accountability.
The Energy Jobs & Justice Act would:
Launch the state’s largest economic development initiative in recent history by prioritizing clean energy jobs and environmental justice programs;
Center equitable policy design to ensure clean energy benefits go to those most historically and disproportionately harmed by Ohio’s regressive energy policies;
Move Ohio towards a more equitable clean energy future by encouraging clean energy growth, energy waste reduction, and curbing utility influence over policymaking and regulatory actions.
This legislation serves as a logical step in making clean energy work for all Ohioans and creating systems that deliver support, call attention to areas where large gaps in access and equity persist and create new policies and practices that are needed to improve outcomes.
WHO:
Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland)
Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson)
SeMia Bray, Black Environmental Leaders
Kwame Botchway, Global Shapers
Crystal M.C. Davis, Alliance of the Great Lakes
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund
Youth Advocates from House District 37
WHAT: Press conference introducing Energy Jobs and Justice Act
WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, at 11 AM
WHERE: Great Lakes Science Center
WATCH: Watch a Facebook livestream of the event HERE.