By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council’s displeasure with state government was obvious in two resolutions rushed through for votes last week.
One urged the state to restore the Local Government Fund to its pre-recession level. The other voiced opposition to Ohio House Bill 6, which shifts state subsidies to nuclear and coal power, and away from renewable sources like solar and wind.
Bowling Green officials traveled to Columbus last month to express their concerns about H.B. 6, and the effect it will have on the city – which has invested a great deal in renewable wind and solar energy.
City officials had already voiced their opposition directly to State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg. It is feared the legislation could result in the city losing $400,000 a year by not being able to sell renewable energy credits.
And Bowling Green City Council member Greg Robinette said he spoke with Ghanbari hours before the vote by the House last week. Ghanbari voted in favor of the so-called “nuclear bailout bill.”
“I was extremely disappointed with the vote on the issue,” Robinette told his fellow council members earlier this month. And though Ghanbari has promised Bowling Green a seat at the table in subsequent energy legislation, Robinette has overarching concerns about the city’s representation at the state level..
“I am disappointed our interests in Wood County aren’t being looked after right now,” he said.
Mayor Dick Edwards said he hopes the legislation will go through serious changes when it arrives at the Ohio Senate.
“Maybe we will have some help over at the Senate,” Edwards said.
Bowling Green Public Utilities Director Brian O’Connell explained that H.B. 6 eliminates standards requiring communities to use some renewable energy. Bowling Green has been able to sell some of its solar and wind power because of those standards which have been in place for more than a decade. The city currently gets about $1 million a year in renewable energy credits.
H.B. 6 will also likely delay green energy development in Ohio, O’Connell said.
“H.B. 6 unnecessarily penalizes cities like Bowling Green, who have done the right thing,” City Council President Mike Aspacher said.
City Council gave the resolution opposing H.B. 6 all three readings, so it could be rushed to state officials. All voted in favor, except for Bill Herald, who abstained because he works for First Solar, which is strongly opposed to the legislation.
Council also gave all three readings last week to the resolution urging that Local Government Funds be restored to communities like Bowling Green. This received unanimous approval, with council member Mark Hollenbaugh giving it a rousing “hell yes.”
Bowling Green officials said they have struggled with the impacts of the state fund reductions for almost a decade. When combined with other state changes, Bowling Green has lost more than $1 million annually.
Although the state “has had a well-documented recovery of its revenue,” the Local Government Fund has not been restored, the resolution stated.
The city has seen the results of these funding cuts in the deterioration of its infrastructure, Aspacher said.
“How many of our challenges at the local level are due to decisions at the state level,” Herald said. “It’s frustrating that we are so hamstrung by actions at the state level.”
