Ohio’s wind resource doesn’t make AWEA’s top 20 list for wind development. Why then does Ohio have one of the best supply chains in the country when it comes to wind?

Answer: Ohio has a strong, cooperative coalition of government, industry, research, and policy stakeholders all working together to bring wind manufacturing jobs to the state.

• The Ohio Energy Office has sponsored a collaborative project to identify 300 companies that can retool, retrofit, and replace facilities and business strategies to serve the growing demand for wind power components
• Fifteen of Ohio’s higher educational institutions have formed the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio (UCEAO) partnership to work together on the discovery, development, and commercialization of energy-related technology and the implementation of new energy curriculum.

Ohio's Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard
On May 1, 2008, Ohio enacted a landmark new energy policy, designed to attract quality jobs and ensure long-term affordable and stable energy prices. The energy law establishes annual benchmarks for renewable energy and energy efficiency, and dramatically expands the market for these emerging industries.

• Ohio utilities are expected to implement energy efficiency programs to achieve a cumulative, annual energy savings in excess of 22 percent by 2025.
• Renewable energy sources, including wind, are anticipated to supply power for at least 12.5 percent of electricity needs by 2025. This renewable energy standard in Ohio is the third most aggressive policy in the U.S.

Ohio State Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

• Industrial Energy Efficiency state grant programs pay 25% of project cost for implementing energy efficiency measures in commercial and industrial buildings.
• Advanced Energy Program Grants for renewable energy may be used for solar water heat, photovoltaics and wind energy for commercial, industrial, nonprofit, schools, local and state government, agriculture and institutional programs.
• Residential state grant programs for wind, solar and geothermal heat pumps.
• Advanced Energy Fund – public benefit fund provides up to $100 million over 10 years to design and develop energy programs. Incentives are available to residents, low-income housing developers, businesses, industry, local governments, schools, nonprofits and farms. The fund is replenished through a uniform fee on electric bills of customers of investor-owned utilities.

THE RESULT: More than 50 globally competitive companies in the wind energy supply chain span the state of Ohio. Already, the wind industry is creating wealth and jobs across the state - in 2006, wind generated $250 million in revenue, creating a total of 1,700 direct and indirect jobs.

If Kansas wants its share of jobs in the new energy economy WE MUST ACT NOW!

The Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) report states that a national renewable energy program would provide significant benefits to Kansas manufacturing - generating $1.97 billion in investment, spurring innovation in 425 existing Kansas manufacturing firms, and creating 11,491 new jobs. Kansas manufacturers could become major components suppliers, making billions and driving the new energy economy.

In order for Kansas to take advantage of component manufacturing - we must (1) be able to compete for projects that could use Kansas-made components, (2) have policies in place that guarantee a market for renewable energy through a meaningful Renewable Energy Standard, and (3) provide the kind of incentives renewable energy manufacturers are looking for.

Kansas has the potential to succeed. What will our Legislators do to reach it?