The report isolating Ohio's 55 "Red Alert" power plants comes out just as the Ohio Legislature is debating a new energy policy proposal by first-term Democratic Governor Ted Strickland, who has proposed a hybrid scheme between state regulation and market competition.

Of Ohio's 129 power plants, the top worst performing ones are, in sheer tonnage of CO2, Gavin, WH Sammis, JM Stewart, Cardinal and Conesville. American Electric Power, headquartered in Columbus, the state capital, serves parts of 11 states and is the largest electricity generating utility in America with 80 generating stations. AEP says that 73 percent of its generating capacity comes from coal, with natural gas contributing about 16 percent and 8 percent from nuclear power. In Ohio, AEP's use of coal to produce electricity is about 87 percent.

AEP announced in 2004 that it plans to construct the largest commercial-scale IGCC plant in the U.S. and the world turn on the switch in 2010. New technology that holds promise to use one of Ohio's big mineral deposits, coal, without harmful emissions, IGCC is touted as "clean coal technology" that removes impurities from the coal gas before it is combusted by "sequestering" or bottling it up in the ground.

Strickland and some Ohio lawmakers recognize that coal-fired power plants are so last century and that new alternative renewable forms of energy, like wind from utility-sized wind turbines placed throughout the state but primarily in the windy northwest and along Lake Erie, need the kind of support and resource allocation that can only come from enlightened government policies.

Carbon dioxide is the planet's most concentrated source of greenhouse gases, which nearly all reputable scientists now say contributes to global climate change.

AVAILABILITY OF ILLEGAL DRUGS SEEN ACROSS STATE

Television these days is chock full of commercials for cars, fast food and pharmaceuticals guaranteed to cure what ever ails you. From erectile dysfunction to restless legs to upset stomach from spicy foods to back pain, arthritis pain and headaches, America's pharmaceutical industry is in high gear, producing the next wonder drug the world will swallow in vast quantities.

But for the kind of drugs not sold over the counter at the local pharmacy, Ohio seems to have a growing supply to meet the growing demand of users, who range from teenagers to older adults.

Crack Cocaine:  High availability of crack cocaine was reported across the state. An increasing trend of crack abuse was noted among Hispanic males in the Dayton area.

Cocaine HCL: Moderate to high availability of cocaine HCl was reported by users and crime labs throughout the state. Dayton reported an emerging trend of powdered cocaine use and dealing among Hispanic males in the surrounding rural areas.

Heroin: Most urban areas of the state reported moderate to high availability of heroin. Black tar heroin was reported as a predominant form in Columbus and the rural southeast, and increasing in availability in the Youngstown area.

Pharmaceutical Opioids: Medium to high availability of hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone tablets/wafers was reported across the state. More areas of the state reported cases of fentanyl, hydromorphone, and buprenorphine abuse.

Marijuana: Marijuana availability and abuse remain high across the state. The perception that marijuana is a safe and socially acceptable drug persists among diverse user groups.

Methamphetaminem: Most areas of the state reported continuing decreases in methamphetamine availability and abuse.

Pharmaceutical Tranquilizers: Most areas of the state continue to report moderate to high availability of benzodiazepines. Cases of Seroquel® abuse were reported in the Dayton and Toledo areas.

Hallucinogens: Availability of MDMA/Ecstasy remained high in the Toledo area, increased in Cleveland but decreased in the Cincinnati area. Availability of LSD and psilocybin mushrooms remained low in most areas of the state. An increase in PCP abuse was noted in the Cleveland area.

The OSAMA is based on substance abuse trend data collected in Ohio and analyzed by Regional
Epidemiologists (REPIs) in Athens and surrounding counties (rural southeast), the Akron/Canton area, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown. Regional Epidemiologists interviewed active and recovering drug users, substance abuse treatment providers, and law enforcement personnel, and collected available statistical data to compile their regional drug trend reports.

John Michael Spinelli is a former Ohio Statehouse government and political reporter and business columnist. He now serves as the OhioNews Bureau Chief for ePluribus Media Journal.

If ePluribus Media readers have a news tip or story idea about Ohio politics or government, contact the OhioNews Bureau at: ohionews@www.epluribusmedia.org