Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Endorses Governor's Energy Plan

11.26.07 - Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans endorsed the governor’s energy plan, Senate Bill 221.

Highlighting their support for “the principles that protect consumers from spikes in our bills, establish reliability in energy production and delivery, and create Ohio jobs,” the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans joined the expanding list of organizations endorsing the energy legislation.

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The endorsement letter from the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans is included below.

The following organizations have also endorsed the energy plan:

Ohio Manufacturing Association, Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, Ohio Corn Growers, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Ohio Hospital Association, Auto Alliance, Ohio Energy Group and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.

Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Endorsement Letter

November 16, 2007

Office of the Governor of Ohio
77 South High Street, 30th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Greetings,

The Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans endorses the concepts and the practical realities of the energy policy put forth by Governor Ted Strickland and passed in the Substitute Senate Bill 221. We specifically appreciate the moves to re-regulate pricing - protecting consumers from spikes in our bills, the moves to establish reliability in energy production and delivery, and the moves to create Ohio jobs.

The more than 260,000 retired Ohio workers we represent live on fixed incomes that continue to depreciate against basic costs of aging. The Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans wants to see electric utility rates stabilized. The prospect of huge price hikes when the current caps on rates are lifted is impetus enough for retirees to support re-regulation of electric rates.

Many of the customers who have been left without electricity in the numerous power outages of the past few years are the retired workers of Ohio who live in less modernized areas and are subject to electrical infrastructure failures. It is not just an indignity but also an issue of health and safety. Re-regulation would at least give the older Ohio consumer a voice and a chance to see reinvestment in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

As workers we lived through many changes and innovations in the means of production and the delivery of goods and services. Retirees expect to see that progress continue and applaud the incentives for new and advance technology generation and the promotion of renewable resources.

The workforce that is available to replace us is in need of good jobs with good wages. This policy and the implementing legislation as it is currently written work to provide our sons, daughters and grandchildren with productive, meaningful, and sustainable work to move the Ohio economy forward.

The Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans is initiating a grass roots education effort to urge the Ohio House of Representatives to pass Sub SB 221 promptly so that appropriate implementing actions may take place prior to the expiration of the rate stabilization plan.

Very Truly Yours,

David Friesner
President

Sally Steagall
Treasurer

Norman Wernet
State Director

Source: Ohio Governor