Labor Weighs in on Energy Overhaul Governor Strickland Releases Energy Plan
Late 2007, Governor Ted Strickland presented his vision for a broad energy plan for the state of Ohio. With the electric rate stabilization plans set to expire at the end of 2009 the Governor rightly took the steps to end de-regulation as we know it and use Ohio's vast energy resources to maintain and create good jobs.
Over the last several weeks the the Ohio AFL-CIO has been discussing energy policy with Administration and recently provided the Governor with its policy brief — "A Working Families Framework for Energy Policy That Works." We are encouraged that the Governor, during his speech, several times talked about his priority to protect current energy related jobs and create good jobs utilizing new advanced energy technologies. The Governor said "Energy policy should not be about what we have to lose but what we stand to gain -- jobs." The Governor quoted a statistic from the Apollo Alliance which claims 20,000 manufacturing jobs can be gained if Ohio utilized all of its energy resources.
The Governor's staff said that they will offer the plan as legislation for the General Assembly's consideration in the days ahead. The Ohio AFL-CIO will monitor this legislation and call on the labor community to speak with legislators as the process unfolds. The Ohio AFL-CIO would like to thank the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, United Steelworkers, Utility Workers Union of America and United Mine Workers for their ongoing assistance and expertise on these energy related issues.
