Mayor Frank Jackson wants increase in advanced, renewable energy sources for Cleveland

The Plain Dealer
November 30, 2007
By Henry J. Gomez
Plain Dealer Reporter 

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson wants advanced and renewable energy sources -- from landfill gas to the wind and sun -- to represent at least 25 percent of the city-owned electric company`s power supply by 2025.

Jackson said his proposal, which he plans to submit to City Council next year for approval, would promote a cleaner environment and a friendlier business climate.

A German solar outfit already is planning to make its U.S. headquarters here. And local officials are awaiting a study on the best locations for wind turbines along Lake Erie.
But the proposal prompted some concerns about higher prices for Cleveland Public Power customers. Several council members, who also are considering a 50-year contract with a new coal-fired power plant, stressed the importance of keeping prices stable.

"Our families are hard-pressed now," said Michael Polensek, whose ward is served mostly by Public Power. "I hear repeatedly from my constituents that their utility bills are becoming outrageous. They are having to make decisions about what bills to pay every month."

City officials promised "no major price increases."

Public Power Commissioner Ivan Henderson said the city-owned utility plans to mix the new advanced and renewable technologies with existing -- and, in many cases, cheaper -- sources such as coal.

"Coal is going to be the foundation that keeps our prices low," Henderson said.

Henderson expects the two likely alternative-energy front-runners will be wind turbines and a hydroelectric project on the Ohio River. Another option is landfill gas from municipal dumps. Officials believe these to be relatively affordable possibilities when blended with coal.

"Renewables are often thought of to be more expensive, but in some cases that`s simply not true," said Ryan Lippe, spokesman for the Ohio Consumers` Counsel, a utilities watchdog. "Today, certain renewables can be cost-competitive with traditional power." 

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