Throughout 2014, the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Stewardship will prepare the next five year plan for sustainability in the City of Columbus. Community input is welcomed and can be submitted online at www.columbus.gov/SpeakUp.
Ohio may soon significantly reduce its renewable energy standards. Senate Bill 310 has passed the Senate and seems likely to pass the House as soon as this week.
The bill would place a two-year freeze on annual increases in standards for renewable energy and energy efficiency. It also would repeal a rule that says utilities must buy half of their renewable energy from in-state sources and would make it easier for utilities to buy low-cost hydroelectric power and count it toward the standards.
There is mixed talk surrounding potential adjustments to the renewable energy standards. Some, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), say they’re necessary because policy is flawed. Others, like Chelsea Barnes who represents clean energy clients, say that organizations such as ALEC and Americans for Prosperity (conservative group partly funded by the Koch brothers), have an unfair voice in the creation and passing of the bill. Senator Bill Seitz, a leading supporter of SB 310, is an ALEC board member.
Ohio’s renewable and energy-efficiency rules were both part of Senate Bill 221 in 2008.
Frog Hauling supports successful renewable energy initiatives. If changes to current standards need to be made, we hope they are not at the cost of the citizens and environment of Ohio.
The central Ohio National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the Building Industry Association (BIA) present the 2014 Home Improvement Showcase. Tour 16 newly remodeled homes in and around the Columbus area. Showcase runs Saturday, May 3, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday, May 4, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
This is an excellent opportunity to meet local remodelers and landscapers in person. Get tips, ask questions and see the work of professionals. Examples include whole house renovations, kitchen transformations, bathroom makeovers, the latest appliances and conveniences and much more.
Purchase your tickets today!
Frog Hauling provides residential and commercial dumpster rental throughout the greater Columbus, OH area. We work hard to maintain our reputation of quality and professionalism. In case you are not familiar with Frog Hauling, here are 5 reasons you should call Frog Hauling for your next Columbus dumpster rental:
1. LOCAL Frog Hauling is located IN Columbus, OH. We are not a chain company that serves “regions.” This means that we can provide dumpsters usually within a day. We can also make last-minute rentals or changes in most cases. Call 258-FROG and speak with one of our associates personally, NOT an automated machine.
2. NARI Award-Winning Service Frog Hauling has been named a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) award winner for the third straight year. The Achievement in Consumer Excellence (ACE) Awards recognize businesses that have earned the trust of consumers.
3. Experienced This is our fourth year of dumpster rental service in Columbus. We have established a reputation of being honest, hard working and reliable. We deliver dumpsters to homes, work sites, and construction areas. Our skilled drivers can maneuver our containers into tight spaces that other companies can not. This makes for a more convenient experience for our customers.
4. Professional Frog Hauling associates are courteous, punctual and dependable. After all, we’re your neighbors! In addition, our containers are clean and well maintained. You will NOT have an obnoxious bin outside your home or business. For more information regarding our quality, view our accredited listing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
5. Eco-Friendly Frog Hauling cares about the health and vitality of the Columbus ecosystem. We work hard to protect the environment. We employ algorithms that schedule our drivers on the shortest distance to and from their destinations so they use less fuel.
In an effort to keep Ohio’s march toward energy independence moving forward, the Ohio House has proposed a bill.
The bill offers a tax credit for the purchase of a new alternative-fuel vehicle or the conversion of a vehicle to alternative fuel, such as natural gas. The credit would be 50 percent of the price of the conversion, or the price difference between a new alternative-fuel vehicle and a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. The credit would be capped at $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the vehicle weight.
“Passage of this bill will bring Ohio energy independence, enabling our residents to pay less at the pump,” said Rep. Sean O’Brien.
The Bill will now go to the Senate for approval.
The energy sector is changing rapidly. Mostly how customers are getting it-NOT through power companies. The federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) now predicts power demand growth of only 0.7 percent per year, down from about 3 percent per year in the 1990s.
There are four primary causes attributed to this shift in where and how consumers get their energy needs met. These factors have allowed consumers to not only choose energy sources but dictate their usage.
1. Natural Gas
2. Solar Power
3. Efficient Appliances
4. Wind Power
What is the role of state and local government in this transition?
State governments usually regulate utilities, and local governments are getting more involved in setting policy as well. They can either encourage a graceful transition or be impediments to innovation. Local governments also are responsible for issuing permits for distributed generation. Cities are beginning to streamline their permitting processes and lower their fees, making it easier for developers to finish projects.
Many cities, especially in California, Illinois and Ohio, are looking at “community choice aggregation,” in which cities buy power from competitive suppliers on behalf of their citizens, without acquiring the assets of their local power company and becoming a municipal utility. In Illinois alone, more than 650 cities and towns have chosen this option in the last two years.
Frog Hauling supports innovation and new technologies when it comes to energy creation, distribution and use. We are proud of Ohio cities and governments for being at the forefront of these exciting new changes.