Letter: Solar power could be answer to higher prices on utilities

I appreciate The Lima News regularly covering how people are struggling to 'just get by.' If you're feeling that your electric bills are out-of-control, you're absolutely right. Ohioans saw their July electric bills hit record highs, rising on average 12% since last year. Also, Ohio hit a four-year high for disconnections this July. But here's the solution. Electricity from solar is much cheaper than from natural gas or coal. According to the Public Utilities Council (a trade group for the electric companies) solar starts at $24 per megawatt-hour, while gas combined cycle starts at $39. That's 40% less. Coal starts at $68. Gas peaking starts at $115. These prices are wholesale and include construction, operation and ongoing maintenance costs. Unfortunately, the natural gas companies control our state government and make it hard for solar companies to compete. Please contact your state legislators and Gov. Mike Dewine and tell them to level the playing field, so that we can get cheaper electricity with solar power. Doug Bell Cincinnati LETTERS POLICY We welcome letters of 275 words or fewer. Letters are subject to editing for length, clarity and grammar. They should be concise, to the point and original — no form letters, please. Letters dealing with private disputes or containing criticism of private individuals or businesses are not published. Letters must have a signature (unless emailed) and a full name, address and daytime telephone number (for verification purposes only). During periods of high volume, such as prior to an election, writers can be limited to one letter a month. Letters may be published on our website. SEND LETTERS TO: The Lima News Your View 205 W. Market St., Suite #100B Lima, OH 45801 E-MAIL LETTERS [email protected]