News and Analysis
OMA Advocates for Common Sense Regulation of Slag
February 24, 2017
Pictured: Geoff Guss, Assistant Sales Manager, of OMA member McWane-Ductile-Ohio
OMA and OMA member McWane-Ductile presented testimony this week in support of SB 2, an environmental bill, to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
In written testimony, OMA’s Rob Brundrett said: “… there is a provision in the bill that OMA has long advocated: common sense regulation of slag. The bill recognizes that slag is a valuable product and not a waste under Ohio’s water laws. Senate Bill 2 exempts slag from excessive regulation while at the same time requiring that slag be used in a manner that conforms with appropriate water quality standards …”
Geoff Guss, Assistant Sales Manager, McWane-Ductile-Ohio, testified: “We think this bill will help improve the quality of our state’s surface water, and also ensure residents of a failing water system that the Ohio EPA will assist them in their time of need. In addition, as the second largest consumer of scrap steel in the state of Ohio, McWane Ductile is glad to see the reclassification of slag, a byproduct of our manufacturing process.” 2/23/2017
Call for Entries! Important Annual Industrial Recycling Survey
February 17, 2017Ohio’s solid waste management districts (SWMDs), in collaboration with the OMA and Ohio EPA invite you to participate in a statewide recycling survey. The purpose of the survey is to collect data about the amounts and the types of materials that Ohio businesses recycled in 2016.
Information obtained through this survey will be used to track progress toward local and state recycling goals, assess recycling infrastructure and determine the recycling needs of Ohio’s businesses.
You will send your completed survey directly to your SWMD. The SWMD will combine the data from your business with data reported by other businesses. The combined data will be used to calculate recycling rates for the SWMD. The data collected by all SWMDs will be aggregated and used to calculate recycling rates for the state. OMA reports recycling data in this annual report (page 19).
To access the survey forms for your SWMD and to learn about your SWMD, click here. lf you experience difficulties using the webpage or have questions, contact Ohio EPA’s Ernest Stall at (614) 728-5356. 2/13/2017
Budget Bill Makes Changes to TMDL Process
February 17, 2017House Bill 49, the state operating budget bill, includes provisions that propose how Ohio EPA would establish Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limitations for Ohio’s streams.
Under the bill, Ohio EPA is required to provide for public comment when a TMDL is established, and such decisions would be appealable to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission. The bill also allows for appeals of existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permits that were based on TMDLs established before March 24, 2015, while retaining the enforceability of any TMDL established before March 25, 2015.
This is a significant change for manufacturers with NPDES direct discharge permits to waters of the state. Read more in this HB 49 analysis. 2/16/2017
Ohio EPA Initiates PIT Interested Party Review
February 17, 2017Ohio EPA has initiated an interested party review for draft amendments to Permits to Install and Plan Approvals for Water Pollution Control (OAC Chapter 3745-42).
Major updates being considered include: clarification of and additions to the list of exemptions from permit to install or plan approval applicability, and clarification of sewage holding tank prohibitions and restrictions. Minor revisions to the rules include updates to style, grammar and references.
See this fact sheet for specific rule revisions. If you are interested in commenting, please contact OMA’s Rob Brundrett. Comments are due March 13. 2/16/2017
Slag Rocks!
February 10, 2017This week the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard sponsor testimony for SB 2 (bill and analysis), which deals with a range of environmental issues. Included in the bill is a provision the OMA has long advocated which exempts slag from certain requirements of the water pollution laws.
Senator Cliff Hite (R-Findlay), the bill’s primary sponsor, and Ohio EPA Director Craig Butler, provided testimony. Many of the bill’s provisions were carried over from Ohio EPA’s Mid Biennium Review bill of the 131st General Assembly.
Proponent testimony is expected the week of February 20. The committee chairman has indicated he wishes to fast track the bill out of committee and to the Senate floor for a full vote. 2/9/2017
New Ohio EPA Publications Support Compliance
February 10, 2017Solvent Metal Cleaning and Environmental Rules – If you clean metals with solvents, you may be subject to state and federal environmental requirements for waste management, air pollution control and wastewater disposal. This fact sheet will help you understand some of the environmental requirements that may apply to your company.
Small Business Environmental Compliance Self-Assessment Guide is intended to help small businesses understand and comply with environmental regulations. 2/8/2017
Ohio EPA Air Reporting Due Soon
February 3, 2017This week Ohio EPA reminded Ohio companies of upcoming annual air compliance reporting requirements due in the first half of 2017. Due dates that fall on weekends or holidays, where state agencies are closed for business, will be extended to the following business day. 2/2/2017
OMA Comments on Storm Water Permit to Ohio EPA
January 20, 2017This week the OMA submitted comments to Ohio EPA about its proposed renewal of its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity.
The OMA commented about sampling, benchmark feasibility, alternative benchmarks and non-industrial pollutants, among other items. The OMA also led a business group coalition in providing additional comments to Ohio EPA.
Ohio EPA will review and respond to comments provided. The agency plans to finalize the permit by March. 1/19/2017
Ohio EPA to Host Webinar on New Industrial Storm Water General Permit
January 13, 2017Ohio EPA is hosting a webinar focused on Ohio’s new Industrial Storm Water General Permit on Wednesday March 29, at 10:00 a.m. The permit is expected to be renewed in early March 2017.
The webinar will include updates on changes from the previous general permit and resources for industrial storm water permit holders.
Ohio EPA is still accepting written comments to the draft permit that was released in the fall. Comments are due at Ohio EPA by Tuesday, January 17. Rob Brundrett is your OMA point of contact. 1/12/2017