solar energy

Sunlight streams onto the Maywood Solar Farm in Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The 8-megawatt solar farm completed last month is the nation's largest solar farm on a federal Superfund site.

(AP Photo/Rick Callahan)

It's never easy to start a business, build an investment portfolio, or create new jobs. That is why it's so disheartening to see the Ohio legislature considering Senate Bill 310. This bill pulls the rug out from under the state's growing renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industries. S.B. 310 moves Ohio backwards at a time when most other states are moving ahead in building a clean-energy economy. The Ohio House should vote no on S.B. 310.

Mercy Investment Services is the socially responsible asset management program for the Sisters of Mercy and their ministries, which have served communities in Ohio for more than 150 years. We know that when companies invest in renewable energy, they can both cut their energy costs and protect Ohio's environment. This is why we believe it's important to speak up against S.B. 310, which would freeze our state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) for two years, cutting smart investment in clean-energy technologies. It will increase energy costs for consumers and halt progress on an industry that has created more than 120,000 jobs. This anti-business measure sends a strong signal to businesses, investors and the clean-energy industry that they are not welcome in Ohio. With S.B. 310, our state will miss out on the job-creation potential that clean energy promises.

Renewable energy has allowed companies like Campbell Soup and General Motors to build manufacturing plants with solar power in Napoleon and Toledo. Other companies like Staples, Assurant and Walgreens also have solar panels on the roofs of their facilities. Cutting the AEPS puts our state and our job creators at a serious disadvantage. Our neighbors in Michigan and Iowa have successful renewable portfolio standards and have attracted businesses and jobs. It's important the Ohio legislature keeps the AEPS in place and provides certainty for businesses and investors looking to grow in Ohio.

Opponents of the AEPS will claim that it has raised electricity prices. This is false.

Since 2008, energy costs have increased, but this is not due to Ohio's investment in clean energy. Price hikes have been attributed to the need to retrofit coal plants to meet new health and safety standards. Energy efficiency incentives are currently saving consumers billions of dollars, and S.B. 310 would put a freeze on these important programs.

Given the many benefits of investing in clean-energy technology, it's not surprising that a broad coalition has come together to fight for clean energy. The Ohio Manufacturers' Association, small businesses and the faith community have all expressed support for maintaining our clean-energy investments.

Support for clean energy is bipartisan and widespread. A recent Ohio poll found more than 70 percent of those surveyed favor renewable energy over traditional power plants, while 86 percent support mandated utility-energy-efficiency programs.

States across the country such as California, Colorado and Texas are prospering from their investment in clean energy. Passing S.B. 310 would make Ohio the only state to roll back clean-energy incentives. I urge the Ohio legislature and Gov. John Kasich to think carefully about what passing this legislation would mean for the tens of thousands of Ohioans who have good jobs thanks to the smart investments our state has made.

Susan Makos is the vice president of social responsibility at Mercy Investment Services and a board member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.