Thanks to everyone who helped out with this clean energy victory in Cincinnati! We asked City Council to include clean, renewable energy in their Request for Proposals (RFP) and they delivered. City Manager Dohoney has chosen to award the city’s 2-year aggregation contract to FirstEnergy Solutions, who is offering 100% renewable energy for residential and small businesses sourced from Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and the Cincinnati Zoo’s solar array.

Customers who use 700,000 kWh/year or less, are in good standing with their current utility, have no existing long-term purchase contracts with any utility, and who are not on a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) are eligible to participate. City Manager Dohoney’s decision will save the estimated 52,400 eligible customers $133/year off their electric bills. The RFP also included the conventional generation option, and Cincinnati chose to contract with the green option, which is $23/year cheaper than the conventional option! The switch is expected to take place in June 2012.

Click here to learn what City Manager Dohoney has to say about this exciting progress in clean energy and what Cincinnati’s next steps are.

Cincinnati is setting a positive example for its residents, the state of Ohio, and the entire country. A city as large as Cincinnati making the necessary strides to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels is tremendous. We will work to help other cities accomplish this goal – but we need your help! Be sure to tell your Cincinnati friends and families congrats on this exciting news!

Questions? Email Natalie Fox or call (614) 461-0734 x 301.

Ever wonder what it really costs to keep the lights on? You know what your bill says, but what’s the actual price? A recent article in Mother Jones gives us the opportunity to find out. From mining impacts in Appalachia to children’s brain development, this calculator tells us the true cost of coal.

My electric bill is usually around $28/month, but the calculator revealed the actual cost of my electricity is $199/month. Please contact Natalie Fox with questions or for more information.

Last week, many components of Governor Kasich’s Energy Plan were introduced in Senate Bill 315, which is currently being debated in the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for news and analysis, and information on how YOU can make YOUR voice heard on this important piece of legislation.

Energy efficiency has been saving Ohio customers over $56M on their utility bills since the passage of SB221 in 2008. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio regulates the requirements of this law and we need the PUCO Commissioners to hold our utilities accountable.

Please ask the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to ensure that all utilities are pursuing all cost-effective energy efficiency as a way to curb pollution and create economic growth.

On Saturday, December 10th, 2011 we hosted a Holiday Home Energy Audit in Columbus’ historic German Village. We learned how to save money and energy while increasing home comfort and stimulating the local economy. All participants received free energy efficiency items and tips to conserve energy. Check out pictures on our Facebook page.

Contact Natalie Fox at natalie.fox@sierraclub.org or (614) 461-0734 x 301 for more information or to discuss setting up a home energy audit in your area.