The Buckeye Institute announced on Monday, July 20, the release of its latest report, “Power to the People: Repeal Ohio’s Counterproductive Energy Policies.” Buckeye’s Statehouse Liaison Greg R. Lawson also testified to a special legislative committee tasked with recommending whether Ohio should continue or repeal the mandates.

Ohio’s energy mandates force Ohio families and businesses to purchase electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar farms, and use taxpayer dollars to subsidize energy efficiency programs such as energy-efficient light bulb swaps. The results? Electricity prices increase and job opportunities decrease. Green energy entrepreneurs are stifled by these handouts to existing companies. And the reliability of the power grid is put at risk.

Buckeye’s Greg R. Lawson stated,

These mandates are textbook crony capitalism–the government is handing Ohioans’ money to renewable energy companies. The legislature should pull the plug on these costly mandates and leave those dollars in the pockets of hardworking Ohio families and businesses.