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WOSU News
WOSU News
Ohioans encouraged to go green by going solar
(2009-07-21)
ATHENS, OH (WOUB) - Ohio legislators are offering more encouragement to state residents to go solar.

The new state budget allows local governments to provide low interest loans to homeowners who want to install solar energy.

Democratic State Representative Debbie Phillips of Athens introduced the proposal in the House.

"Currently one of the big barriers," Phillips says, "is the high start up costs to install solar and the creation of this revolving loan program will make it affordable for home owners to go ahead and take that step."

Republican State Senator Jimmy Stewart of Albany introduced the Senate version.

Phillips says money has not been allocated to pay for the program.

She says local governments might request federal stimulus funding money for that purpose.

And she says the City of Athens plans to be the first in the state to utilize the legislation. © Copyright 2010, WOUB