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State Representative Jim Buchy
Lower Natural
Gas Prices Benefit Local Governments
The services provided by local governments are very important to our
communities and that is why we have spent considerable time in the
legislature to reduce their costs of operations and provide them new
ways to save tax dollars. In particular, the recent growth in
Ohio’s gas industry has lowered natural gas prices for all Ohioans
including the community and township halls in western Ohio.
The positive effects of natural gas on households around the state and
in western Ohio are undeniable. Both Vectren and Dominion East Ohio Gas
report that their natural gas customers have witnessed a 35 percent
decrease in their gas bills since the winter of 2009.
By increasing access to natural gas we are favoring a cleaner form of
energy in Ohio. This is because households and local governments that
use natural gas end up producing 37 percent less greenhouse gas
emissions than homes that only use electricity to power their homes.
In western Ohio, you can really see how much people are saving if they
are fortunate to have their homes and local government buildings
connected to natural gas. Communities in Shelby and Darke
Counties use Vectren as their natural gas supplier, while the
communities in Mercer County primarily use Dominion East Ohio Gas.
Auglaize County communities use either Vectren or Dominion East Ohio,
depending on the location. Both the communities connected to natural
gas are realizing real costs savings.
An increase in the availability of natural gas saves local governments
money. When natural gas is readily available the price to power our
homes is less. The same thing rings true for local governments needing
to operate their governmental facilities.
In addition, lower energy prices attracts new business and encourages
business growth in our communities. As a result the local
economies are improving and sales tax and other tax receipts for local
governments are on an upward trend.
Governor Kasich and the Republican legislature worked to welcome the
oil and gas industry in Ohio because of the benefits the state is
seeing for producing our own energy. One of those benefits of
producing our own energy will help those who utilize natural gas,
residents, businesses, and local governments, to keep their energy
bills low. As more companies expand their energy operations in
eastern Ohio, job opportunities and the tax base will grow, benefiting
local government revenue.
Local governments have been a partner in Ohio’s path to an improved
economy and their continued efforts to reduce costs for tax payers is
appreciated. In Columbus, I have been encouraging colleagues to
keep local governments in consideration when we determine public
policy. By passing legislation that promotes safe exploration for
the oil and gas below eastern Ohio, all Ohioans including local
governments are benefitting. I will continue talking to my
colleagues about ways to help local governments in the future.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyAugust2014.
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