Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

June 2009 - The number of Ohio jobs related to clean energy gained 7.3 percent between 1998 and 2007, according to a Dayton Business Journal article citing research by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The clean energy economy accounted for more than 35,000 Ohio jobs in 2007, "about the same as Wal-Mart, the state's largest employer." Ohio ranked fourth among the 50 states in terms of green jobs. The Buckeye State saw a 31 percent growth over the 10 years researched.

May 2009 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new campaign to build off the “ENERGY STAR Change a Light” campaign. Called “Save the World, Start with ENERGY STAR,” the new campaign shows consumers the steps they can take to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The new pledge encourages consumers to make their home heating and cooling systems to run more efficiently; ensure their homes are well sealed and insulated; utilize the power management features on computers and monitors; and choose ENERGY STAR models when replacing or purchasing new appliances. Take the pledge on the ENERGY STAR Web site.

March 2009 - While the Appalachian region - including parts of Ohio - is on track to increase its energy consumption by 28 percent by 2030, a new report finds that aggressive energy efficiency steps would produce measurable benefits. These benefits would lead to reducing the region's demand for energy by 24 percent while creating 77,378 jobs in 2030. Consumers would use less energy in 2030 than they did in 2006. According to the report, prepared for the Appalachian Regional Commission, consumers in the 13 Appalachian states could experience an annual utility savings of more than $27 billion by 2030 if energy efficiency is made a priority.

January 2009 - New cable, satellite and telecommunications set-top boxes that have earned an ENERGY STAR rating are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than their conventional counterparts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced the new energy specification Jan. 1.

As one of the household electronics that use the most energy when turned “off,” the new ENERGY STAR label for qualifying set-top boxes could save consumers $2 billion each year and reduce greenhouse emissions the equivalent to removing 2.5 million vehicles from the nation’s roadways.

The EPA worked with television providers to develop set-top boxes that have improved energy efficiency and save their consumers energy and money. AT&T and DIRECTV are the first companies to sign on as ENERGY STAR partners. New customers should request the ENERGY STAR-qualified box and existing customers should inquire about receiving an upgrade.

January 2009 - Residential water heaters have become the final piece to the ENERGY STAR puzzle after the U.S. Department of Energy announced their availability to consumers in January. Now, every major appliance has an ENERGY STAR alternative for most homes.

The ENERGY STAR label will be available for five models of water heaters: high-efficiency gas storage water heaters; gas condensing water heaters; whole-home tankless water heaters; heat pump water heaters; and solar water heaters. Water heating is the second largest use of energy following heating and cooling, according to the DOE. Using one of the five ENERGY STAR-rated water heaters can reduce water bills from 7.5 percent to as much as 55.5 percent.

Certain ENERGY STAR water heaters qualify for federal tax credits. For more information about ENERGY STAR water heaters and to find one that fits your needs visit the ENERGY STAR Web site.