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"...a level of campaign experience unmatched by any other candidate..."

Jane Schiff — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:16:25 EST

Phyllis Schlafly Endorses Ken Blackwell for RNC Chairman

January 3, 2009

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eagle Forum President and Republican National Coalition for Life National Chairman Phyllis Schlafly today endorsed the candidacy of Ken Blackwell for chairman of the Republican National Committee.

"Ken Blackwell is a solid social and fiscal conservative who is dedicated to the principles that brought the Republican Party to power in 1980 and can do so again. He has 13 successful campaigns under his belt. He has run for office himself and knows how to win."

"Ken Blackwell was first elected to the Cincinnati City Council and then as Mayor. He was the first African-American to win statewide office when he was elected Ohio State Treasurer. Subsequently, he was twice elected Ohio Secretary of State, later winning the Republican nomination for Governor of Ohio. He has managed and run large state agencies with many employees in a fiscally responsible manner. Ken Blackwell would bring to the office of RNC chairman a level of campaign experience unmatched by any other candidate."

"Ken Blackwell understands the many challenges facing our country both at home and around the world, having served as an undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission."

"His replies to National Committeeman Morton Blackwell's questionnaire were comprehensive and impressive," said Schlafly.

"Ken Blackwell served as vice chairman of the 2008 Platform Committee. He assures us that he fully supports the 2008 Republican National Platform and will work to see its principles implemented in public policy, adding that he is 'very proud of the document we adopted.' We are proud of the Platform and Ken Blackwell's commitment to it, and proud to support his candidacy for RNC chairman."

Phyllis Schlafly has worked on Republican campaigns since 1946 and was a Delegate to eleven Republican National Conventions.

Eagle Forum is a non-partisan national organization of citizen-volunteers who advocate conservative government policies in Congress and state legislatures, elect candidates at every level, and articulate the pro-family message through the media. For more information, or to arrange an interview with Eagle Forum President Phyllis Schlafly or Executive Director Colleen Holmes, please contact Suzanne Bibby at (202) 544-0353 or by email at suzanne@eagleforum.org.

SOURCE Eagle Forum

Video: Democrats Take Control Of The Ohio House For The First Time In 14 Years

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:40:57 EST

Democrats took control of the Ohio House for the first time in 14 years today.

Democrats control the House 53-46 while Republicans maintain control of the Senate, 21-12. Members of both chambers were sworn in today.

Rep. Armond Budish, a Democrat from Beechwood, a Cleveland suburb, was elected Speaker.

“While we may face a budget deficit, there is no deficit in the spirit and creativity of Ohioans. It is that indomitable spirit I hope to engage,” Budish told the House and visitors in the gallery.

In a bipartisan move, Republicans joined Democrats in voting for Budish for Speaker.

Watch It:

Obama Names First Woman Solicitor General

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:55:30 EST

Today, the Obama transition team sent out a release announcing several key Justice Department positions, including Harvard Law School dean Elena Kagan as Solicitor General.

Kagan will be the first woman to serve permanently in this important post, which is tasked with conducting “all litigation on behalf of the United States in the Supreme Court, and to supervise the handling of litigation in the federal appellate courts.

Kagan previously served in the White House during the Clinton administration, as Associate Counsel to the President, Deputy Assistant the the President for Domestic Policy, and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council.

Full Story at Think Progress

2009: A Very Bad Year

User from Belpre, OH — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:29:02 EST

2009: A Very Bad Year
In politics, there are 3 fundamental laws governing truth. The first, truth is relative. The second, truth depends on what is propagandized. The third, truth always dwells in self fulfilling prophecies where the end justifies the means.
Obama's horse is seriously ill even before the starting gate with even more obstacles to confront. What I find predictable was Gov. Richardson's decision to withdraw from the appointment of Commerce Dept. What the news declined to mention was Miss Hillary's role in exposing "those" alleged discrepancies in Gov. Richardson's campaign contributions and subsequent awarded contracts. I must ask myself, based on the volatile relationship between Miss Hillary and Gov. Richardson, will this news story create enough critical mass to support the desired motive of revenge or malice? Yes. Was she successful? Yes. Does the news suspect her? No. What will happen to her own questionable campaign contributions? Nothing because a Kennedy is waiting in the wings.
Sadly there is another news story which is attempting to avoid critical mass status. The Perverted criminal underground is buying and selling innocence, taking advantage of the depressed economy. Did you know that Ohio is America's #1 state in trafficking sex of abducted children. As thousands of Americans go unemployed, imagine this new parental horror, selling your own children to the sex trade? Gov. Ted Strickland's stance on the subject obviously lacks any moral judgment plus the economic downturn will only promulgate more good news for the perverted underground. My question is, who auditions these children once the parents decide to give them up? We have seen public school teachers engaged in "minors" for sex. I must also ask, is this what the democratic party wants for the public, moral and family decay or annihilation? Since the truth is relative, who better to avert political scrutiny if the public is drowning in economic disparity or even contemplating the destruction of their own innocence. I say Gov. Ted Strickland is not fit to be governor or even a human being if this is what he wants for Ohio's children.
A "Change" is coming! What I see is governmental anarchy where tax payers money is offered up as tribute to further corporate and financial incompetence. Even now, Atheists are petitioning the courts to eradicate God from Obama's Inauguration.
In 2006, Nancy Pelosi laid the groundwork for the 2008 presidential campaign, but little did we understand the catastrophic consequences Sen. Dodd and Barney Frank would create in 2009. This was no accident and yet it is the people's money who is being thrown to the most corrupt and incompetent of our society without any guarantees or legal consequences.
My version of colonization comes in two assaults, the recently destitute will be forced to sell SSN information which will seriously impact any medical assistance they might need. The second is the total breakdown of our public school system as "pirated" children with fraudulent documentation vandalize schools and murder staff out of anger against American values.
Silver Lining? God's grace will bless Israel's sovereignty from both invasion and pestilence. In retaliation, America's darker societies will attempt several coup-d'etat against both religion and the judicial, potentially weakening America's resolve for Israel. This is will fail.
America is leaderless, overrun by Stalinists so high on acid, I would welcome a quick death. Watch for the Silver Lining, it will be our star, our heavenly beacon that divine change is at hand.
John W. McSherry
US Navy (Retired)
Appalachia Ohio 6th District

The Obama Family Gets Ready For The First Day Of School In DC

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:05:15 EST

Earlier this morning, President-elect Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama helped their two daughters, Malia (10) and Sasha (7), get ready for their first day of school.

They follow in the footsteps of another First Daughter -- Chelsea Clinton -- who attended the private Quaker school.

View It:

Former Gov. Celeste Aide Heads To Senate From Colorado

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:01:11 EST

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter announced Saturday that he is appointing Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael F. Bennet to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate, praising Bennet as a proven 21st century leader and problem-solver in both the public and private sectors.

"Michael is an accomplished and highly competent leader," Gov. Ritter said. "What impresses me most are his energy, strength of character, temperament and innovative thinking. Michael is the right choice for Colorado's kids, Colorado's families and Colorado's future."

"In Colorado we have been blessed, and we can show the nation how to lead on issues like a New Energy Economy and education reform," Bennet said. "But, we are not isolated and we face our own set of challenges with the economy and protecting our land and water. Through the work of leaders like Gov. Ritter, Sen. Salazar and Mayor Hickenlooper I have seen their efforts to keep Colorado a special place, and that will be my mission every day in the U.S. Senate."

Bennet's first job in politics was as Personal Assistant to Ohio Gov. Dick Celeste from 1988 to 1990.

Recruiter Suicides - Another Hidden Cost of War

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:49:23 EST

Seventeen armed forces recruiters, five in the Houston battalion alone, have committed suicide since 2001. The job of recruiter is not typically a voluntary one and meeting the recruitment goals can be very stressful, particularly during an unpopular war. A colleague of one of the deceased men said,

[W]e felt like we were begging them.... We often sat in the recruiting station, sometimes really late, and talked about how we'd rather be in Iraq than recruiting.

Sen. John Cornyn has called for an investigation into the matter.

Swindler Souvenirs: Former Madoff Employees Selling Memorabilia on eBay

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:24:58 EST

Duped employees and clients of alleged scammer Bernard Madoff are bitterly selling off the swag they received from his company on eBay.

It's a whole new category of collectibles, with more than 100 promotional trinkets bearing the name or symbol of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. They were given to clients and employees over the years as tokens of appreciation, even as Madoff was allegedly stealing billions from investors.

"Emom1013" is selling a pair of $20 T-shirts given out at the 2006 company picnic at the Madoff family's Long Island, N.Y., estate.

The seller writes: "The proceeds from this auction go directly to a family whose husband/father is facing being out of a job and health insurance thanks to good old Bernie."

Other items include humidors, binoculars, beach towels, coolers, mousepads, shirts and jackets. The most expensive doodads so far include a Madoff flashlight that sold for $387 and a fleece sweater that went for $455.

George H.W. Bush On "W's" Failures: Just Google It

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:52:42 EST

"No! You can go back to your, what do you call it, your Google, and you figure out all that."

-- Former President George H.W. Bush, in a Fox News interview, when asked if he would elaborate on some of his son's failures as president.

Big System, Little Footprint

User from Struthers, OH — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:01:05 EST

Big System, Little Footprint

At two tons a day for fourteen days, the system may be processing up to 28 tons of organic waste at any one time, diverting up to 25% of the Athens campus' current landfill waste.
Ohio University is ramping up its waste diversion in order to ratchet down its ecological footprint. The university recently installed the largest in-vessel compost system at any college or university in the nation, scheduled to come online in January 2009. The site also boasts one of the largest solar photovoltaic arrays at any public college in Ohio, and was selected as the first stop on the 2008 Green Energy Ohio Southeast Solar Tour.
Tour participants had the opportunity to view the system and its 10.03-kilowatt roof and ground mounted solar array. The array is grid-tied and capable of supporting approximately 50% of the electricity needs of the composting unit, allowing the university to significantly reduce the facility's carbon footprint.
The system, manufactured by Wright Environmental, is sized to handle up to two tons of organic waste per day. Temperature, moisture, and aeration inside the machine are controlled in order to accelerate waste decomposition. Harvested rainwater from the pole barn roof will be used to maintain the system's moisture, as well as to clean the compost collection bins. After funneling through the down spout, the water will travel to the roof wash, which removes leaves, twigs and other debris. The water will be stored in a 2,200 gallon underground cistern and pumped into the system as needed.
This water, along with heat and aeration, will allow the system to produce a valuable soil amendment in just 14 days. At two tons a day for fourteen days, the system may be processing up to 28 tons of organic waste at any one time, diverting up to 25% of the Athens campus' current landfill waste. This diversion will result in an annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction of approximately 1,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents - about the same amount of co2 emissions resulting from the energy use of 108 homes in one year. The system has positioned Ohio University as a trailblazer in biodegradable waste diversion, both locally and nationally.
"Ohio University is beginning to emerge as a leader in the area of energy, environment and sustainability," said Ohio University's Sustainability Coordinator Sonia Marcus. "The composting project is an example of our demonstrated commitment to these areas, allowing us to put theory into practice."
A grant from the Division of Recycling and Litter from the Ohio Department of Development's Energy Loan Fund Grant Program helped fund the solar array. The majority of the funding for the in-vessel composting system came from Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Food waste diversion has been a priority of theirs since 2006.
"We knew a very large portion of the waste stream was ending up in the landfill. So we wanted to make sure that we were investing state dollars to improve infrastructure. If we want people to compost materials we can't just say go ahead and do it. We needed to create facilities where the food waste could go" said odnr Grants Section Manager Chet Chaney. To date, odnr has invested $2 million dollars into the creation of facilities and projects that divert food waste from landfills in Ohio. Ohio University was the recipient of $300,000 in grant funding through both the Market Development and College & University programs.
Food waste will be collected from campus eateries, including dining halls and the food court at the new student center. An average of 2,500 meals are served at the food court daily on compostable service ware made from sugar cane fiber, potato starch and corn plastic. The Dining Services department has been a critical supporter of the project since its inception.
"This one step for dining services will add to Ohio University's bigger sustainability picture," said Gwyn Scott, Executive Director of Culinary and Dining Operations Gwyn Scott.
Since the opening of the student center in January 2007, patrons of the food court have been sorting their waste into trash, recycling and compost bins. Early waste audits indicated that 75% of the compost waste stream contained little or no contaminants, such as chip bags, ketchup packets, and other non-biodegradable items. Once the composting system comes online, pre- and post-consumer food waste will be collected daily by the grounds department and brought up to the site at the Ridges, overlooking the Athens campus.
When food waste is loaded into the in-vessel unit, it will be amended with landscaping waste as well as animal bedding from research labs and sawdust from the carpentry shop, in order to achieve the right carbon to nitrogen balance. Once the waste is processed, the resulting nutrient-rich, soil amendment will be used to improve university grounds.
Because of its multiple benefits to the university - a smaller ecological footprint, avoided landfill waste costs, learning and research opportunities for students and faculty, and reduced food waste - many are invested in the initiative's success.
"I am hoping we will max out the capacity of this first in-vessel composter and that we will soon need to take the machine to the next level," said Scott.

Green Energy can also mean helping reduce food waste and bringing city and county partnerships together.

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Greens
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org

www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/

Why the BAARD Plant may NEVER BE BUILT!

User from Struthers, OH — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:00:16 EST

Why the BAARD Plant may NEVER BE BUILT!
Posted by: D.Spisak (IP Logged)
Date: January 04, 2009 10:58PM

In today's Vindicator ran the story on the progress of the Baard coal to liquid fuel plant.

What was interesting was buried near the end of the story. Writer D.A. Wilkinson states "Baard Energy is seeking investors for the plant. David DiStefano of Locke Lord Strategies in Washington, D.C., has been seeking federal loan guarantees for the project."

The Sierra Club released a study recently that stated Banks are refusing to invest in in coal projects across the country. Over the past 2 years, several coal proposals have collapsed in Ohio Alone due to a lack of private funding.

And Baard is still seeking investors? Seems like dad and son Charlie and Jason Wilson have sold Columbiana County a Pig in a Poke.

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Greens
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/

TUESDAY: Rally in Columbus to Support Obama's Economic Recovery Plan

Lorraine Bieber — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:09:06 EST

Activists will rally this Tuesday at the State House in Columbus in support of Barack Obama's economic plan, urging Ohio's congressional delegation to support it as well.

An "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" was the focus of President-elect Obama's weekly address Saturday:

"We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down."

Tuesday's rally is organized by ACORN and MoveOn.org. Details:

What: Rally to support Obama's economic recovery plan
Where: State House (Broad and High Sts. in Columbus)
When: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at 12:00 PM

RSVP here

Minnesota Senate Recount: Franken By 225 Votes

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:48:28 EST

He's good enough, he's smart enough, and, gosh darn it, he's a U.S. senator?

Franken Prevails in Recount

Sen. Norm Coleman's (R-MN) "term as a U.S. Senator ended at noon Washington time today, and by evening his hopes of winning a second term had been dealt an expected but serious setback as state officials counted previously rejected absentee ballots in St. Paul," the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

With the recount complete, Al Franken (D) has an unofficial lead of 225 votes over Coleman. Franken had led unofficially by 49 votes going into the day and gained a net 176 votes from the new absentee ballots counted today.

Coleman's hopes now focus on the Minnesota Supreme Court, "which continued to consider a request from the Coleman campaign to alter the process and add more absentee ballots to be reconsidered. But by early evening there there was no word from the state's highest court as to when it would rule or hear arguments."

Help Re-power America with Green Energy

User from Struthers, OH — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:43:59 EST

Help Re-power America with Green Energy

2009 is going to be a challenging year. This past summer, we faced the highest prices at the pump ever. While prices have plummeted since then, it certainly does not mean our energy crisis is over. In fact, the current economic crisis is intricately linked to the energy problems our country is just beginning to face.
Unfortunately, most politicians and business leaders are pouring billions of dollars into trying the save a crumbling system instead of creating something better - a green economy. Please act today to support smarter, greener energy plans as part of America's economic recovery efforts »
In 2009, we need to start addressing the economic crisis and energy crisis as two sides of the same coin. The solutions for both are intertwined, from cutting our dependence on oil in half to creating millions of new clean energy jobs.
We need a government that brings vision to repowering, refueling and rebuilding America with a green economy.

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party
www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/

Rally for LGBTQ Equality Next Saturday

Lorraine Bieber — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:31:09 EST

As part of a national day of action, Equality Ohio, the Human Rights Campaign, and Join The Impact/Ohio will rally next Saturday at 1:30 PM at the State House in Columbus.

From Join The Impact:

Three Ohio groups have joined together to organize a Rally for Equality on January 10, 2009 at the Statehouse. Equality Ohio, the Human Rights Campaign, and JoinTheImpact-Ohio are planning to put together the rally in support of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified (LGBT) individuals in areas of equal housing/employment rights, marriage rights, and anti-violence.

Ohioans have been working in the legislature for over six years to pass the Equal Housing and Employment Act in the state (HB502 and SB305), and local organizers from JoinTheImpact protests offered to assist.

“A statewide rally at the Statehouse will unite Ohio’s LGBT and Ally community,” Derek Stephens, JoinTheImpact’s Columbus organizer, said. “We need to let the lawmakers know how important it is for the Equal Housing and Employment to be passed. Combining our efforts with other Ohio cities and various organizations will be crucial in making this event successful.”

Event details and RVSP:

http://www.progressohio.org/page/event/detail/addtocalendar/wq4

Carpooling is available from around Ohio to Columbus. To request or offer rides:

http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Carpool+Locations?t=anon

Water Contamination in Tennessee from Coal Ash Spill

User from Struthers, OH — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:32:54 EST

Water Contamination in Tennessee from Coal Ash Spill

Written by Becky Striepe

Published on January 3rd, 2009Posted in Tennessee
The Tennessee Valley Authority and the EPA reported that levels of pollutants such as lead and arsenic were below safe levels for drinking water in areas affected by the Kingston coal ash spill. An environmental group's tests had dramatically different results.

[

Appalachian Voices teamed up with scientists at Appalachian State University to test water samples downstream from the spill. They found contaminant levels far above what is considered safe for drinking.

»
These tests results are only preliminary, but the group released them because they raise a public health concern. A sample close to the coal-fired power plant had over 300 times the allowable level of arsenic.

Activists are afraid that the TVA and EPA are not being up front about the extent of damage from the spill. TVA police detained two activists from United Mountain Defense just for taking pictures of the spill site. Residents and environmental groups complain that the agencies have been dragging their feet on releasing water toxicity results from the December 21st spill.

The real tragedy in this story is that this disaster in Tennessee could have been avoided if the Kingston plant had taken preventative measures. Greenpeace is calling for a criminal investigation into the spill, saying that the Kingston plant should have had a spill contingency plan in place.

Charlie Wilson, is this what you want for Wellsville?

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Greens
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/

President-Elect Obama: Weekly Radio Address: American Recovery and Reinvestment

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:20:09 EST

In this week’s weekly address, President-elect Barack Obama lays out the challenges that face us in the new year, and his plan for taking them on.

“We need an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that not only creates jobs in the short-term but spurs economic growth and competitiveness in the long-term,” he says. “And this plan must be designed in a new way—we can’t just fall into the old Washington habit of throwing money at the problem. We must make strategic investments that will serve as a down payment on our long-term economic future. We must demand vigorous oversight and strict accountability for achieving results. And we must restore fiscal responsibility and make the tough choices so that as the economy recovers, the deficit starts to come down. That is how we will achieve the number one goal of my plan—which is to create three million new jobs, more than eighty percent of them in the private sector.”

Watch It:

Full Text below:

Key Provisions of Federal Tax Incentives for Going Green

User from Struthers, OH — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:27:20 EST

Key Provisions of Federal Tax Incentives for Going Green

These provisions will:Extend the investment tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations for eight years (it was previously set to expire at the end of 2008)
End the $2000 cap on the investment tax credit for residential solar electric installations placed into service after December 31, 2008
Allows filers of the alternative minimum tax to claim solar investment tax credits
Allows public utilities to claim the solar investment tax credits
Authorize $800 million in new clean renewable energy bonds and creates a new category of tax credit bonds called Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds to finance state and local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions
Extends deductions for energy efficient commercial buildings
Establishes a new tax credit for purchasers of plug-in electric-drive vehicles
Extends research and development tax credits

President Bush signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, commonly known as the "Bailout Bill," into law on October 3, 2008. The Act included incentives for production of advanced energy, which are outlined below.
I. Production & Investment Tax Credits and Bonds
A. Investment Tax Credit ("ITC") - The bill also extends the 30% ITC for solar energy property by eight years, through December 31, 2016, and expands the credit to include installation expenses for geothermal heat pumps and residential wind turbines. The cap on qualified residential solar electric property expenditures (currently $2,000) was also removed.
B. Production Tax Credits ("PTCs") - The bill extends the expiration date for PTCs until January 1, 2010. PTCs credit 1.5 cents/kWh of electricity produced from a "qualified energy resource," which include wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste, qualified hydropower production, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy. A new tax credit was created for combined heat and power system property.
C. R&D Tax Credit - The bill extends the research and development tax credit of 20% through December 31, 2009.
D. New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds ("NCREBs") - The bill authorizes $800 million of NCREBs to finance facilities that generate electricity from renewable resources. Proceeds will be allocated one-third to projects of state/local/tribal governments, one-third to projects of public power providers, and one-third to projects for electric cooperatives.E. Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds ("QECBs") - $800 million in new tax credit bonds, named QECBs, were created by the bill and may be used to finance state and local government initiatives including reduction of energy consumption, implementing green community programs, rural renewable electricity development, or research of technologies to reduce peak electricity usage.
II. SmartMeters & Smart Grid Systems
The bill provides accelerated depreciation over a 10-year period, instead of the current 20-year period, for smart electric meters and smart electric grid equipment.III. Commercial Building Provisions
The bill extends the expiration date on the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings to December 31, 2013. This tax deduction of up to $1.80/sq. ft. is available for commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of the building. Partial deductions of up to $0.60/sq ft can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems.
IV. Residential Property Provisions
A. Residential Energy Efficiency - A 30% tax credit is available for qualified solar water heating and photovoltaic systems. These credits were extended to December 31, 2016 and the monetary cap (currently $2,000) has been removed for photovoltaic systems. The 30% tax credit is also available for small wind energy property, up to $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity with an overall maximum of $4,000. Fuel cell and microturbine systems are also allowed a credit of up to 30% of the cost (up to $1500 per 0.5 kw of capacity maximum). Geothermal is allowed 30% of the cost of the system up to $2,000.
B. Residential Energy Efficiency Improvements - Residential energy efficiency improvement credits were also extended through 2009. These provide credits for individual appliances ranging from $45-$250 (with a combined maximum of $500) and are available for insulation, replacement windows, non-solar water heaters, and certain high efficiency heating and cooling equipment.
V. Coal and Carbon Capture/Sequestration The bill allows a 30% tax credit for advanced coal-based generation technology projects which capture or sequester carbon, and increases the credit cap to $2.55 billion. The investment tax credit rate for coal gasification projects was increased to 30%. Also, a new tax credit was created for carbon dioxide sequestration.VI. Transportation, Fuel Security, and Alternative Fuel Refueling Equipment
A. Cellulosic biofuel - Cellulosic biofuel is now included within the definition of biomass ethanol plant property so that taxpayers may immediately to write off 50% of the cost of facilities that produce it.
B. Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel - The $1.00/gallon production tax credit for biodiesel and $0.10/gallon credit for small biodiesel producers will continue through 2009. Now the $1.00/gallon credit will be extended to diesel fuel created from biomass. Diesel fuel created by co-processing biomass with other feedstocks (e.g. petroleum) will be eligible for $0.50/gallon tax credit.
C. Alternative Fuel - The tax credits for alternative fuel and fuel mixtures has been extended to December 31, 2009. This includes compressed or liquefied biomass gas but requires the meeting of certain carbon capture requirements.
D. Electric Vehicles - A new tax credit between $2,500 and $7,500 was created for purchasers of plug-in electric vehicles.
E. Vehicle Refueling Equipment - The tax credit of up to 30% (up to $30,000 per business location or $1,000 per individual principal residence) is available for the installation of alternative fuel vehicle refueling equipment has been extended through 2010. Significantly, installing equipment to recharge the batteries of an electric-powered car now qualifies for the credit.
http://www.bricker.com/energy2008.pdf
Summarized by Terrence O'Donnell

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Greens
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org

www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/

Ohioan to Celebrate Her 105th Birthday at Inauguration

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:22:49 EST

Ella Mae Johnson, a 104 year old from Cleveland, will be making the trip to DC to see Barack Obama sworn in as President.

Teddy Roosevelt was President when Mrs. Johnson was born. In 1924 she received a masters from what is now Case Western.

Sherrod Brown invited Mrs. Johnson and had this to say:

"It is fitting that she should mark her 105th birthday this January by witnessing the swearing in of our nation's first African-American president. I am honored to be part of her journey and humbled by her legacy."

Ohio Green Energy State Tax Incentives

User from Struthers, OH — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:10:14 EST

Ohio Green Energy State Tax Incentives

Ohio Energy Office Financial Incentives Currently Availablehttp://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/GrantsLoans.htm
Residential Wind Energy Incentive Program (09-02)
This program is available for "Qualified Systems" installed for "Eligible Customers" through applications submitted to the Program by an "Eligible Installer." Eligible customers include all residential customers who are connected to the electric grid and have an active account in the American Electric Power, Duke, First Energy or Dayton Power and Light service territories in the State of Ohio, are eligible. Qualified residential wind turbine must have a minimum annual output of 3000 kWh at the average annual wind speed for the site at the proposed hub height. A list of eligible installers is available on the Ohio Energy Office web site.
Incentive amount• : $2.00/kWh or 50% of project costs
Maximum award amount• : $25,000
Alternative Fuel Transportation (AFT) (NOFA 08-03)
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
Qualified parties are invited to submit applications for consideration to purchase and install AFT refueling facilities in Ohio. The goal is to increase the availability and use of biofuels formotor vehicles, specifically B20 (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel) or higher percentage blends of biodiesel, and E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% of unleaded gasoline).
Eligible project costs• : new or conversion of existing facilities to use new AFT fuel, and educational and promotional materials.
Maximum award for conversion of retail facilities• : $10,000
Maximum award for new installation of retail facilities• : $40,000
Maximum award for educational material• : $5,000
B20 Biodiesel School Bus Program (NOFA 08-07)
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/transportation.htm
School districts, county Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities (MRDD) programs and similar local agencies that provide k-12 education are eligible to apply to cover the incremental costs of using B20 fuel (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel) in their school bus fleets. Incremental cost is the difference in the cost per gallon to use B20 compared to the cost to use petroleum diesel. Maximum award is $25,000.
Distributed Energy Resources (DER) (NOFA 07-01)http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFGrant.htm#NOFA_07-01
Interested and qualified parties are invited to submit an application for consideration to increase the use of DER in Ohio with systems up to 25 megawatts (MW) for commercial, institutional, and industrial applications. DER is defined as modular generation technologies that generate and deliver electricity to customers at or near the point of use.
Eligible technologies• : clean burning reciprocating engines (meeting CA standards), industrial turbines, microturbines, innovative use of waste heat, combined heat and power, cogeneration, landfill or biomass methane.
Maximum Grant Share and Grant Award• : 25% of project cost and $100,000
Owners Cash Equity Requirement• : 10% of total project cost
Manufacturing Energy Efficiency (NOFA 07-04)http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFGrant.htm#NOFA_07-04
This program focuses on the utilization of energy efficiency measures and technologies, including efficient lighting, HVAC and refrigeration, motors and improved building envelope. Manufacturing facilities are eligible to apply.
Incentive and Maximum award• : 25% of project cost or $50,000
Commercial Renewable Energy Program (NOFA 08-09)
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFGrant.htm#NOFA_08-09
This program seeks applications to implement renewable energy projects limited to solar electric, wind electric, and solar thermal systems for commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental entities in Ohio.

Technology End User Applicant Third Party Applicant
Incentive Min size Max % Max $ Incentive Min size Max % Max $
Solar electric $3.50/watt 10 kW 50% $150K $3.50/watt 50 kW 50% $200K
Wind electric $2.00/watt 10 kWh 50% $200K $2.00/watt 50 kWh 50% $200K
Solar thermal $30 kBtu/day 200 kBtu/day 50% $150K $30kBtu/day 500 kWh/day 50% $200K

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Greens
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org

www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/