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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
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It's hot outside!
Ohio, along with much of the country, went from an overly wet June to a scorchingly hot July. Not only do these patterns affect our summertime activities, they also have a significant effect on agriculture - Ohio's largest single industry. Ohioans looking for fresh corn at many of the local Farmers Markets will find that it is delayed this year. Flooded fields meant that less than half of the normal soybean and corn crops were planted by mid-June.
While we know that weather and climate are different concepts, weather patterns are clearly climate change indicators. According to NASA, nine of the 10 warmest winters have happened since 2005, and five of the warmest years on record happened within the last five years.
We all love to travel, especially summer vacations. If you fly, you have an opportunity to offset the carbon generated by the trip. The New York Times Climate Forward newsletter offers advice on buying carbon offsets:
What else can we do to as individuals? This New York Times guide helps you determine your carbon footprint, and then examines all the ways you can reduce it.
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Green Energy Ohio is continuing its climate change awareness program by planning additional showings of The Human Element documentary in the coming months. And we are creating a Facebook chat group to make the monthly Climate Change Book Club an interactive experience. Watch for details on both!
Jane Harf
Executive Director
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BUSINESS
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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More Than Photovoltaics: Modern Energy’s Solar Experience
By Allison South
In 2012, even before he graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Finance and a minor in Economics, Johnathan Gioffre decided to expand on his experience by starting his own company, Modern Energy. Initially, Modern Energy’s main service was assisting customers in reducing their energy consumption, through energy audits and assessments
Johnathan had always wanted to work with solar - because of his passion for technology - and when the market for solar in Ohio took off in 2015, he decided to officially add solar photovoltaic (PV) system installation to his company’s services. Modern Energy transitioned away from assisting residential and commercial customers with energy efficiency needs towards facilitating personal energy production.
To Johnathan, his company’s biggest accomplishment is not based on awards or public recognition, but on the renewable energy generated from his projects. He is happy that they can reduce fossil fuel consumption by providing consumers with a cleaner option.
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A revised version of HB 6 passed the Senate since our last newsletter and the House concurred on the Senate amendments on July 23. Governor Mike DeWine signed the legislation on the same day.
To learn more about the statute, a forecast of its impact, and a comparison to other states, please follow the link to an article written by GEO member Tyler Hall and his colleague Brian Zoeller on the Energy and Natural Resources Industry team at Frost Brown Todd LLC:
Impacts of the Repeal of Ohio's RPS with HB 6
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SAVE THE DATE : AUGUST 22 SOLAR WORKSHOP
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This is is the third in a series of solar workshops hosted by Green Energy Ohio and the Ohio Environmental Council. Previous workshops at Denison University and the University of Dayton provided valuable information to over 175 participants.
In Northeast Ohio, we are partnering with Cleveland State University, the City of Cleveland and the Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability.
The workshop is designed to provide resources for local government officials and staff
in county, township, city and village jurisdictions; however,
it is open to all solar activists.
There will be presentations from legal, policy and business experts exploring state and local laws governing solar development, as well as discussions of the challenges and opportunities of local solar project development
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The developers of the Harvard Road Garage solar array will be displaying the all the parts necessary to install and run the system. Lunch is included.
Individual tickets are $25.
For organizations attending with 3 or more people, apply the discount code
OHIOSOLAR for 20% off your entire purchase
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Seats are limited so register early!
Register for Solar Workshop
We hope to see you there!
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SOLAR ABOUNDS ACROSS OHIO
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All across Ohio new solar installations are making a difference! From school buildings to public spaces to world-class corporations, the benefits of renewable energy are evident. Local officials, business leaders, and solar companies are working to save costs and to reduce carbon emissions.
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SOUTHEAST
OHIO SCHOOL DISTRICT
: Third Sun Solar and Federal Hocking Local Schools cut the ribbon on a new solar installation that will offset 70% of the school’s annual energy use with renewable power. Students "flipped the switch” on 700 kW solar system for the first time at the Federal-Hocking Middle & High School campus on July 11.
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SOUTHWEST OHIO PUBLIC PARK
:
In June, Rocknoll Energy Systems and the Warren County Park District unveiled the Armco Park Solar Array and Pollinator Habitat. The newly constructed 256 kW solar array with 745 solar panels will be surrounded by plantings designed by the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative. Stay tuned for
Phase II which focuses on educational opportunities and charging stations for electric cars and golf carts.
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NORTHEAST OHIO COMPANY
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GOJO, the inventor of PURELL® Hand Sanitizer and a global leader in skin health and hygiene solutions, achieved its
goal to power GOJO U.S. distribution operations by renewable energy two years ahead of schedule. In 2018, GOJO completed the installation of a 755-megawatt-hour solar array at its 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center in Wooster.
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Half Earth is more than a book - it's a movement. A project of the Edward O. Wilson Foundation, Half-Earth is a call to protect half the land and sea in order to manage sufficient habitat to reverse the species extinction crisis and ensure the long-term health of our planet.
In the book, Wilson argues
that the situation facing us is too large to be solved piecemeal and proposes a solution commensurate with the magnitude of the problem: dedicate fully half the surface of the Earth to nature. If we are to undertake such an ambitious endeavor, we first must understand just what the biosphere is, why it’s essential to our survival, and the manifold threats now facing it. Uniquely, Half-Earth considers not only the large animals and star species of plants but also the millions of invertebrate animals and microorganisms that, despite being overlooked, form the foundations of Earth’s ecosystems.
What can you do in addition to reading the book? Visit the website and take the Half Earth Pledge:
Half Earth Pledge
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Here's a way to stay cool - sign up for the 2019 Ohio River Paddlefest taking place on Saturday, August 3 at the Schmidt Recreation Complex in Cincinnati. Whether you are a racer, a recreational paddler, or just a spectator, there is something for you to enjoy at this annual event. You can register online or on-site, but boat rentals are going fast, so follow the link if you're interested:
Ohio River Paddlefest
All proceeds from Paddlefest benefit Adventure Crew, formerly Outdoor Adventure Clubs, a Cincinnati-based non-profit providing free outdoor recreation, education, and conservation opportunities to urban teens.
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P.O. Box 521
Granville, Ohio 43023
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