Ohio’s GOP Took A Huge Swipe At Climate Protections. We Have To Stop It From Happening Elsewhere.

Despite thunderous opposition from the public, the Ohio legislature just passed a horrible nuclear and coal bailout bill, and Governor DeWine signed it into law. This bill bails out FirstEnergy’s two failing nuclear plants and two coal power plants, while undermining Ohio’s energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. 

Worse for energy consumers, worse for workers

With the passage of House Bill 6, Ohio’s legislators have taken this state back in time. Instead of embracing and pushing forward good jobs and savings in renewable energy, they have dragged us backwards because they have been bought and paid for by the dark money of private utilities like FirstEnergy. And now, everyday people are paying the price. FirstEnergy will hike rates for consumers to line their pockets, while refusing to honor union contracts of workers who they employ. 

One thing is clear — we desperately need federal climate legislation to truly protect our communities and keep fossil-fueled legislators from selling away our future. This means we need broad solutions that bring us into the energy future, and get us off the train running toward climate disaster. We need a real Green New Deal that addresses these issues and more. The Ohio legislature and Governor Mike Dewine are more interested in satisfying their rich donors than keeping the climate liveable, so we must take matters into our own hands.

Become a part of our movement against dirty energy 

All across the US, activists are fighting back against the fossil fuel industry and their influence on our government at all levels. Here at Food & Water Watch, we’re supporting and working with groups trying to stop the terrible Appalachian petrochemical hub from being built, that would tie Ohio, the region, and the country into decades of dirty fossil fuels. We can’t continue to build new fossil fuel infrastructure, especially when we’re being forced to pay for old fossil fuel infrastructure over and over again. 

This is a tough moment to watch terrible state legislation get passed on the backs of everyday people, but we’re going to be stronger than ever for the next road ahead. We’re proud to have you with us, and together we’ll keep fighting for a better future.