By Farah Siddiqi
Ohio News Connection
Clean energy initiatives are gaining momentum across Ohio, with efforts aimed at expanding access and advancing sustainability.
Not limited to energy, the programs can reflect a broader vision for Ohioans striving for economic and environmental resilience.
Valerie Katz, deputy administrator for Cuyahoga Green Energy, said the county puts its weight behind such efforts.
“Whether it’s solar or geothermal or wind, whatever’s out there,” Katz said. “Whatever renewable energy fits the bill and is the right type of technology to meet the purpose at hand, that’s what we need to be doing.”
Cuyahoga County’s establishment of its own electric utility exemplifies the drive for efficiency. The utility manages initiatives like solar installations on schools, industrial microgrids and residential co-ops. However, the advances also face scrutiny, as critics pointed to potential costs and the challenges of transitioning to renewable infrastructure.
Meanwhile, other cities are exploring innovative strategies to expand clean energy access.
Robert McCracken, energy manager for the City of Cincinnati, highlighted a collaborative effort among Ohio cities.
“We have a project we are working on to look at building performance standards and how we could implement those in Ohio in a way that focuses more on incentives rather than on enforcement,” McCracken said.
The approach prioritizes helping commercial building owners achieve compliance through positive reinforcement. Cincinnati is also developing other programs to make clean energy adoption more accessible, especially for low-income communities. The initiatives set the stage for leveraging federal funds like the Solar for All program to foster inclusive energy solutions.
At the state level, some leaders emphasized the importance of balancing new energy technologies with traditional workforce considerations.
John Highman, director of public service for the city of Canton, said the city is an example of what can be done in a midsize city when people work together and steer in the right direction.
“We’re kind of like the little engine that could,” Highman said. “We keep on plugging away, and we’re getting there.”
Ohio’s clean energy movement continues to gain traction, propelled by federal funding and grassroots collaborations, and communities willing to balance innovation with practicality.
Pictured at top: Ohio’s clean energy sector has seen significant growth, with clean energy and clean vehicle jobs reaching more than 119,000 in 2023, a 4.4% increase from the previous year. (Oleksii Syrotkin | Stocksy)