Laura Jones, Executive Director
Leadership Ashtabula
Ohio House Committee on Energy & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Generation

Before the Ohio House Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy Generation;
Mr. Chairman, Vice Chairman and members of the Ohio Subcommittee, my name is Laura Jones
and I am the Executive Director of LEADERship Ashtabula. Our organization has operated for
more than 30 years and is dedicated to developing people who improve the quality life in
Ashtabula County. Our programs for adults and students focus on four core principles:
individualism, integrity, community and communication. We have helped more than 2,000
individuals through our programs.
On behalf of the organization and the thousands of past and future beneficiaries of our program, I
am grateful for the opportunity to submit a testimony to the Committee today to provide our
views on the important issue of the future of clean energy in Ohio, and legislation before the
Committee to support clean energy and make electricity more affordable. Clean energy
employers have been an essential partner of our organization and our mission to engage our
residents in civic endeavors.
In addition to protecting air quality, clean energy, specifically nuclear, is vital for our local
economy in Ashtabula County. Nuclear energy provides affordable, reliable electricity and keeps
electricity prices low for our residents. This reliable, around-the-clock power is necessary for a
strong economy. At the same time, we must avoid a narrowing of our electricity generation
portfolio in Ohio by failing to invest in a clean energy future. For Ashtabula County to continue
to attract businesses and families, we must maintain the direct and indirect benefits of these
facilities.
In addition to the positive effects nuclear energy has brought to our county, Leadership Ashtabula
recognizes the statewide benefits as well. The state’s residents rely on nuclear energy’s tax
revenue, which helps fund vital education, health and safety services. All residents of Ohio, and
specifically the residents of Ashtabula, benefit from the half-a-billion dollars pumped into our
state’s economy annually.
We cannot afford to lose jobs, decrease the reliability of our electricity generation, or undermine
our efforts to clean the air.
Passing this legislation will ensure that our residents continue to enjoy their quality of life
On behalf of our organization and the residents of Ashtabula County, I urge you to support HB 6.
Thank you.