FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              Contact: Stephen Clegg
January 17, 2006                                                                                                  (614) 466–8134

Ohio House Passes Energy Bill

COLUMBUS––State Representative Joseph Uecker (R-Loveland) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives voted in favor of his legislation designed to increase energy efficiency.

“Amid the current environment of fuel shortages and higher petroleum and natural gas prices, it is important for all Ohioans that we in the House explore all reasonable options for potential cost savings,” said Uecker.

House Bill 251 would mandate that state facilities adhere to the standards developed by the Department of Administrative Services and the Department of Development. The bill would also exhort the Department of Administrative Services to give preference to procuring products that meet the energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Additionally, the bill would necessitate that state universities and colleges receiving capital appropriations for a specific project use energy efficient designs in that project.

House members – including Representative Uecker – have, and will continue to maintain a commitment to exploring energy alternatives and increasing efficiency. House Bill 251 will help us in working toward these goals. Through this and a variety of other efforts, including increased energy hearings in the House Public Utilities and Energy Committee, the 126^th General Assembly has a unique opportunity to save taxpayer dollars by taking advantage of energy-efficient technology.

“It is my hope that through this legislation we will continue to lead the charge toward providing energy efficient opportunities for Ohioans this winter and in the coming months,” said Uecker.

House Bill 251 was passed by a vote of 98-1 in the House and will now move on for consideration in the Senate.