To the editor:
This month Ohio became the first state in the country to announce dozens of electric vehicle charging stations as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Electric vehicles are growing in popularity and based on the current forecast this trend is expected to continue. However, many question how a growing EV fleet will impact our country and if the U.S. is ready for that kind of major transition.
A major component to this transition is how these vehicles will be powered. Ohio is making strides to offer charging stations to drivers, but more will be needed. Unfortunately, we are already looking at an aging, overworked electric grid. Several states have experienced rolling blackouts in the past few years and as we enter into the hottest summer months these blackouts become a huge safety concern.
The good news is Ohio is equipped with solutions. This failure of the electric grid has highlighted the need to support reliable, affordable energy like natural gas. Natural gas has already proven to be a reliable source of energy, providing 43 percent of Ohio's electricity generation -- up from just 3 percent a decade ago.
Furthermore, the benefit of electric vehicles is their contribution to the environment and one of the cleanest parts of the process could possibly be the electric generation if natural gas is being used. From 1990 to 2019, Ohio's energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined by more than 20 percent. This impressive reduction was still possible while the state's natural gas production skyrocketed during this same time period.
As we look at our state and nation's future goals including moving toward electric vehicles, it's important to be realistic on the current infrastructure and energy landscape. Natural gas has already been proven to be a sustainable, clean, affordable energy source and Ohio natural energy is leading the way.
Bruce Tague
Executive director
Ohio Natural Energy Institute