July 23, 2019
COLUMBUS, OH — House Bill 6 reverses the progress made by our renewable energy and energy efficiency programs and puts more than 112,000 clean energy jobs in Ohio at risk. Ohio’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards have been helping reduce carbon emissions while delivering significant net benefits to consumers since they were first enacted. In 2008, Ohio made a commitment to reduce harmful emissions and propel our state and economy into the future. This was a big win for birds and wildlife – today’s vote to pass HB 6 was a huge loss for our state and moves us in the wrong direction.
“Energy efficiency and renewable energy are vital components in protecting Ohio’s birds and wildlife from the threat of climate change and ensuring all Ohioans have access to safe and affordable energy. HB 6 is a missed opportunity to enact comprehensive energy policy that would keep pace with the rest of the region and country which is embracing the future of abundant, affordable, renewable energy. This clean energy killing policy is not the investment in healthy air and economic growth that our state deserves,” said Marnie Urso, Policy Director for Audubon Great Lakes.
Audubon’s Birds and Climate Report found that more than half of all North American bird species are threatened by climate change. That’s not only a terrible loss for nature but a detrimental impact to the economic health of Ohio’s communities. Some 2.4 million Ohioans watch birds, and 3.5 million wildlife watchers spent $2 billion in the state on equipment, supplies, and travel in one year. Ohio is critical to the health and vitality of more than 400 birds and countless wildlife species. In addition to being important for Ohio’s natural heritage, birds are important pollinators for our agriculture industry and the money that birdwatchers spend supports local businesses.
###
Contact:
Marnie Urso, Policy Director, Audubon Great Lakes
216-246-7150
murso@audubon.org
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon Great Lakes is a regional office of Audubon, learn more at gl.audubon.org and follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
