The Apollo Alliance has joined Ohio Apollo and Policy Matters Ohio in congratulating Governor Ted Strickland for swiftly moving on his campaign promise to make renewable energy and energy efficiency a centerpiece of his new administration.

Here’s more from the Apollo Alliance recent press release:

As promised in his TurnAround Ohio plan, Strickland named Mark Shannahan, of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, as his energy advisor, laying the groundwork for state leadership in green energy purchasing and energy efficiency, and fulfilling a promise of his first 100 hours plan.

“We look forward to working with Governor Strickland and our other partners in fostering investment in clean energy and growing good jobs in Ohio,” said Wendy Patton, coordinator of Ohio Apollo for Policy Matters Ohio.

According to the executive orders issued yesterday, each state agency, board and commission must complete an energy audit of all of its facilities by June 2007, and then reduce energy usage by 15 percent during the governor’s term in office. Shares of biodiesel must be increased to 25 percent of state diesel purchases this year alone. Energy efficient vehicles will be purchased for state fleets and E85 pumps will be installed for state vehicle use as state agencies develop their own long range plans to cut petroleum use. Colleges and universities have also been instructed to start planning for a greener, more efficient future.

Ohio Apollo has published model clean energy initiatives for states, cities and campuses to put to use. New Energy for the States and New Energy for the Cities are available on the Policy Matters Ohio website at http://www.policymattersohio.org/publications.htm#energy.

The Apollo Alliance’s clean energy blueprints provide a path toward energy independence and the creation of millions of new jobs. As Policy Matters Ohio has highlighted, the manufacture of component parts for renewable energy alone could bring 22,000 jobs to Ohio with a national will for energy independence backed by robust investment.