State Senator Brian Chavez

We appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from them and have thoughtful discussions about how we can continue to work together to meet the energy needs of Ohioans.

Recently at the Statehouse, Senator Landis and I met with about 40 CEOs and board members from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.

It is truly an asset to have such an advanced facility here in our state, creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while advancing impactful research. I am grateful to the faculty for taking the time to provide a tour and share more about their work.

The laboratory supports student and faculty education and research while also collaborating with industry partners on specialized experimentation and analysis.

Another stop I made during my tour on The Ohio State University’s campus last week was the Ohio State University Nuclear Reactor Laboratory.

This epitomizes the need for reliable baseload generation in Ohio and on the grid. Dependable power is critical when it is needed the most.

I was surprised that every windmill I saw was not turning. I expected the power output to be maximized on such a windy day, but the output at the time was zero (presumably due to wind speeds and safety parameters).

A recent tour of Vistra Corp.’s Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station was informative on many levels. First, the energy density of nuclear energy is amazing. Second, the dedication to safety, training, and operations is very robust.

The tour even included a stop in the dry room which had a dew point of -40 °C, comparable to the dryness of the Sahara Desert. Thank you to the faculty, especially Dean Susan Olesik, for the engaging tour and look into how they are making Ohio a hub of innovation.

This center will develop next-generation battery cell materials and manufacturing technologies. It will also focus on workforce training, including reskilling and upskilling, to advance expertise in battery manufacturing.

Yesterday I toured the Battery Cell R&D Center on The Ohio State University’s campus.

Thank you to the Cardinal Plant staff for the informative tour. It was a great reminder of the people and infrastructure working behind the scenes to keep our communities powered every day.

Last week I had the opportunity to tour The Cardinal Power Plant located in Brillant, Ohio. The scale of the operation was incredible to see up close. From the control room to the turbine floor, every part of the facility reflected technical knowledge and a commitment to safety.

The exhibition showcases different decades of the county’s history and rotates every two weeks. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend taking a moment to stop in and learn more about the stories that shaped this community.

Earlier this week, I stopped by the Jefferson County Courthouse to check out the new historical display celebrating the rich history of Jefferson County as part of America’s 250th anniversary.

Representative Ty Moore and I met with Commissioner Dutton, Parks and Rec Director Eric Gay, Mayor Kathryn Thalman, Public Service/Safety Director Scott Harvey, David Schaffer and others to understand the use of current space and the need for a future facility.

St. Clairsville has a vision for a community center as a part of the highly successful recreational center complex. This addition will make a outstanding resource for the region.