FirstEnergy boycott targets utility?s stance on renewable energy standards

Stop FirstEnergy Hikes is trying to get the Akron utility to reverse its stance against Ohio's renewable energy standards.

Critics of FirstEnergy Corp.? stand on Ohio?s energy efficiency standards are trying to hit the Akron-based utility where it hurts the most ? on the bottom line.

Stop FirstEnergy Hikes, a project of three groups promoting clean energy programs, has launched a Facebook page that asks people to pledge they won?t switch their electricity provider to FirstEnergy Solutions, the company?s retail electricity supplier.

More than 61,000 people had taken the pledge as of Thursday, said Helen Sheehan, a spokeswoman for the group. That?s since the effort started Aug. 26.

?It?s a response to FirstEnergy,? she told me, ?and everything it?s done to attack the energy efficiency standards.?

In April, a FirstEnergy executive told an Ohio Senate committee the state needs to change its energy efficiency policy, claiming it is harming electricity customers, delaying the state?s economic recovery and limiting Ohio?s prospects for growth.

Asked about the Facebook pledges, a FirstEnergy spokesman gave me this via email: ?FirstEnergy has invested heavily in our communities through contributions and volunteer efforts, and these efforts are making a positive difference in the quality of life throughout Ohio. And FirstEnergy Solutions is helping millions of businesses and families save on their energy bills through discounted electricity.?

The Facebook pledge campaign is taking place at a time when state Sen. Bill Seitz, a Republican from the Cincinnati area, is working on legislation that would alter Ohio?s energy efficiency and alternative energy standards. The standards, in place since 2008, are designed to cut energy use and promote development of renewable sources such as wind and solar power.

Jeff Bell covers public policy, utilities, energy and the business of sports for Business First.

Source: http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/vertical_24/~3/sdYmQKakopU/firstenergy-boycott-targets-utilitys.html

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