Environment

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is weighing in on a proposed update to Ohio’s air permitting rules that would restore an “emergency defense” for facilities operating under the Clean Air Act. The provision would protect manufacturers from penalties when unavoidable equipment failures or other emergency events temporarily push emissions above permit limits.

The proposal follows a recent court decision in SSM Litigation Group v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which sent Ohio EPA back to its rules. Restoring the emergency defense would bring back an important safeguard when violations are driven by events a facility cannot reasonably prevent, not routine noncompliance.

“This is about recognizing the difference between a true emergency and a preventable violation,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the OMA. “Manufacturers should be held to high standards, but they should not face penalties for events outside their control when they respond appropriately and remain committed to compliance.”

OMA supports reinstating the provision and is working with Ohio EPA to ensure the final rule is clear, fair and practical to administer. 3/27/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is pressing Ohio EPA on proposed changes to the state’s NOx emissions rules that would clarify key definitions, reshape which facilities are covered and reset compliance timelines under the Clean Air Act. A key revision to the definition of “potential to emit” could change whether certain manufacturers are subject to stricter requirements.

The proposal could shift regulatory obligations and compliance timing in ways that carry real operational and cost consequences. Ohio EPA says the changes are intended to address past inconsistencies, and OMA is pushing to make sure the final rules are clear, fair and workable for manufacturers.

“These are the kinds of technical rule changes that can carry major consequences for manufacturers,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the OMA. “When definitions shift, compliance obligations can shift with them. The rules need to be clear, predictable and grounded in how facilities actually operate.”

OMA is staying engaged as the rulemaking moves forward to help ensure the final requirements are consistent, practical and realistic to implement. 3/26/2026

Blue state attorneys general and big city governments, including Columbus and Cleveland, are suing the Trump administration over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding, the Obama-era legal basis for most federal greenhouse-gas rules.

Ohio was not among the states that joined the case. The repeal could erase greenhouse gas standards for cars and trucks and trigger broader changes affecting power plants and other stationary sources, putting a major piece of federal climate policy back in dispute.

The lawsuit, led by attorneys general in states such as New York, Massachusetts, California and Connecticut, all but guarantees more legal and regulatory whiplash. Politicians are again asking courts to keep Washington at the center of decisions that shape energy costs, capital planning and long-term investment.

“This is what happens when national environmental policy gets dragged back into partisan trench warfare,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “Instead of clarity, employers get more uncertainty, more delay and one more reminder that major business decisions can still be thrown off course by political lawsuits.”

Join OMA on Thursday, April 9, for the first Environment Committee meeting of the year and get a clear read on the environmental policy changes that could reshape compliance for Ohio manufacturers. A key part of the program will be former EPA Director Chris Jones of Calfee, Halter & Griswold, who will break down what changes to the 2009 Endangerment Finding and evolving greenhouse gas reporting rules could mean for your operations. 3/23/2026

A revised version of House Bill 272 has changed shape, but the threat to Ohio manufacturers has not. The substitute bill removes the original 2032 blanket ban on products containing intentionally added PFAS, but replaces it with broad rulemaking authority that would allow the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) director to impose future prohibitions. That is not a meaningful retreat. It is a different path to the same kind of disruption.

The bill would still phase in restrictions beginning in 2027 and 2028 across a wide range of products, including cookware, food packaging, cosmetics, textiles, cleaning products and upholstered furniture, while preserving civil penalties of up to $15,000 per violation. That leaves manufacturers facing continued compliance exposure, supply chain risk and uncertainty about how Ohio will regulate essential chemistries going forward. Members who want updates and opportunities to engage as House Bill 272 advances should sign up here to receive notices from Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) staff.

“Ohio manufacturers should view this bill as a serious threat, not a softened proposal,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the OMA. “The substitute version still opens the door to costly restrictions, compliance exposure and supply chain disruption that could ripple across multiple sectors of the state’s economy.” 3/17/2026

Congress is weighing changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that could shape how quickly manufacturers gain access to new chemistries and materials. A Senate committee last week reviewed draft legislation to renew TSCA user fees, which expire Sept. 30, and raised concerns that the EPA’s chemical review process has become too slow and unpredictable to support U.S. competitiveness. Lawmakers from both parties agreed reauthorization is necessary, though broader reforms remain unresolved.

“Manufacturers need a chemical review system that is timely, workable and grounded in regulatory certainty,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA).

The OMA’s Environment Committee will next meet on Thursday, April 9. Book your spot today. 3/9/2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to sunset paper hazardous-waste manifests, a move that would push covered shipments further into the federal e-Manifest system and change how hazardous-waste handlers manage registration, data corrections and recordkeeping. EPA published the proposed rule this past week and is accepting comments through May 4. The issue is less about headlines than day-to-day compliance: how waste shipments are documented, how errors are corrected and how records are maintained.

“Environmental compliance works best when it is clear, efficient and grounded in how facilities actually operate,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Any shift away from paper manifests needs to reduce friction, protect accountability and give manufacturers confidence that digital systems will work the way regulators say they will.” 3/11/2026

House Bill 272, sweeping legislation that would prohibit PFAS in a wide range of consumer products, is gaining traction in the Ohio House. After recent revisions, a substitute version could be adopted by the House General Government Committee as early as next week, with additional opponent testimony expected soon.

The bill would begin phasing out PFAS in 2027 and impose a full ban by 2032 on products including cookware, food packaging, cosmetics and textiles unless regulators determine the use is “currently unavoidable.” It also carries extensive reporting mandates and civil penalties of up to $15,000 per violation.

OMA is warning lawmakers that the proposal would position Ohio among the most restrictive states in the country on essential chemistries relied upon across multiple manufacturing sectors.

“If enacted, the bill would place Ohio manufacturers at a serious competitive disadvantage,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “This would amount to one of the strictest bans on essential chemistry in the country, putting jobs, supply chains and investment at risk while other states move in a different direction.”

Members who would like updates and opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts on House Bill 272 are encouraged to click here to be notified by OMA staff as the legislation advances. 3/4/2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delayed the deadline for industrial facilities to report their 2025 greenhouse gas emissions under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

The reporting deadline has been pushed from March 31 to Oct. 30, 2026, while EPA reviews potential changes to the program, which requires power plants, refineries and many manufacturing facilities to submit annual emissions data.

The agency is also considering broader revisions that could significantly narrow the scope of the program by eliminating reporting requirements for several industry categories.

“Environmental reporting should drive results, not just paperwork,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “If federal rules are forcing companies to spend more time reporting emissions than reducing them, the system needs to be reconsidered.”

OMA said the review could provide regulatory relief if the current reporting framework imposes compliance burdens that outweigh its policy value. 3/4/2026

European governments have approved changes scaling back corporate sustainability reporting requirements after manufacturers warned that complex mandates were driving up compliance costs and pulling resources away from investment. The revised framework narrows which companies must comply and delays key deadlines, reflecting growing concern that aggressive environmental rules can outpace industrial realities.

Industry analysts say the shift highlights a broader global debate over balancing climate ambitions with economic competitiveness, especially in energy-intensive sectors facing tight margins and volatile markets.

“Regulation works best when it is grounded in operational reality, not theory,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Policies that ignore cost, supply chain complexity or production timelines risk slowing investment rather than delivering meaningful environmental progress.” 2/25/2026

PFAS compliance is emerging as one of the most complex environmental challenges facing industry in 2026, with expanding disclosure rules, supply-chain scrutiny and potential product restrictions reshaping global markets. New industry analysis shows regulators moving beyond water standards toward product-level reporting requirements, forcing companies to trace chemicals deep into upstream materials and imported components. What once lived inside environmental health and safety teams is rapidly becoming a core business risk tied to product design, sourcing decisions and long-term capital planning.

“PFAS is no longer just an environmental conversation. It’s becoming a market access issue,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “When disclosure rules turn into product bans, manufacturers are forced to redesign supply chains on someone else’s timeline.”

Manufacturers looking to stay ahead of rapidly evolving PFAS regulations can join a complimentary Thompson Hine webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., focused on key compliance and litigation trends shaping 2026. The session will offer practical guidance on managing enforcement risk, reporting obligations and emerging product restrictions as regulatory pressure accelerates. 2/17/2026

Rising temperatures and melting snow across Ohio are creating new environmental considerations for manufacturers, particularly around drainage, runoff and site management. Rapid thaw conditions can strain stormwater systems, increase standing water and raise the risk of compliance issues tied to environmental permits. Employers are encouraged to monitor outdoor areas, maintain clear drainage paths and review facility plans as conditions shift.

“Rapid freeze-thaw cycles don’t just change the forecast, they change risk across industrial sites,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Proactive planning helps manufacturers manage environmental responsibilities while keeping operations moving.” 2/12/2026

An Ohio-based startup is applying advanced acoustics and engineering to wildfire defense. Sonic Fire Tech is developing a system that uses precisely tuned low-frequency sound waves to disrupt combustion without relying on water or chemical suppressants. The technology highlights Ohio’s strength in applied research, prototyping and advanced manufacturing, as engineers work to move novel lab concepts into real-world tools for fire prevention and emergency response, according to Ohio Tech News. 2/11/2026

Manufacturers face a shifting environmental compliance landscape in 2026, with uncertainty around PFAS rules, tighter state standards and growing pressure on in-house environmental teams, according to a new analysis from BSI Consulting.

The firm identified five key environmental risk areas for the year ahead, including fragmented regulations across states, limited staffing and budgets for compliance programs, and the need for better use of environmental data to anticipate problems before they become violations.

The report urges manufacturers to understand their PFAS exposure, prepare for differing state requirements and shift from reactive compliance to proactive risk management.

“Manufacturers want clear, workable rules they can plan around, not a patchwork of shifting requirements,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “This report underscores why consistent policy matters just as much as strong compliance programs inside the plant.”

The findings highlight the growing complexity facing manufacturers as environmental policy continues to evolve unevenly across the country. 2/2/2026

Cincinnati-based startup Cincy Carbon is developing electrochemical technology that turns captured carbon dioxide into industrial chemicals used in manufacturing, creating a lower-carbon alternative to traditional production. Led by CEO Molly Rizkallah, the company is designing its system to plug into existing industrial operations so manufacturers can reuse emissions as feedstock without major equipment changes. The process can produce materials such as formic acid and other chemical inputs commonly used on the factory floor. The effort highlights how Ohio firms are pursuing practical, production-ready innovations that cut emissions while strengthening domestic chemical manufacturing and supply chains. 1/26/2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to reconsider the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standard after manufacturers warned the tighter rule could expand nonattainment areas and slow permits for new and expanding factories. The Biden administration lowered the annual PM2.5 standard from 12 to nine micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, a change that industry groups said would significantly widen the number of counties subject to stricter federal air quality requirements.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency plans to revisit the standard, citing concerns about economic impacts and regulatory uncertainty. Manufacturers have argued the rule could make it harder to site and grow facilities without delivering proportional environmental gains.

“Manufacturers support clean air, but standards also need to be workable,” said James Lee, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) managing director of public policy services. “When rules expand nonattainment areas without clear permitting guidance, they risk slowing investment and job growth without delivering meaningful environmental gains.”

The OMA has raised similar concerns, warning that expanded nonattainment designations could delay industrial projects and weaken Ohio’s competitiveness. OMA has engaged Ohio EPA and federal officials on implementation issues, urged clearer permitting guidance, and advocated for a balanced approach that protects air quality while allowing job-creating investments to move forward.

The OMA is inviting manufacturers to engage with the Ohio EPA on additional exceptional events demonstrations aimed at maintaining Ohio’s attainment status for PM2.5 standards. Companies interested in participating can contact James Lee for details on upcoming meetings and opportunities to engage. 1/27/2026

Ohio’s pending request for action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Cleveland ozone area has direct consequences for manufacturers in northeast Ohio, where regulatory certainty is critical to investment, permitting and job growth. In a Jan. 14 letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Gov. Mike DeWine cited certified 2023–2025 air quality data showing the region meets the 2015 ozone standard and outlined steps Ohio has taken to satisfy federal requirements.

At the center of the issue is certainty. Extended nonattainment status can complicate permitting, delay expansion projects and inject unnecessary risk into business decisions even when air quality standards are being met. The letter also highlights concerns that recent court rulings could slow redesignation timelines and impose new requirements without delivering additional environmental benefit. Manufacturers continue to emphasize the need for science-based standards and timely regulatory decisions that support competitiveness and long-term growth.

To help protect regulatory headroom, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association is seeking manufacturers willing to engage with the Ohio EPA on additional exceptional events demonstrations to keep Ohio in attainment for both ozone and PM2.5 standards. Manufacturers interested in participating should contact James Lee for details on upcoming meetings and engagement opportunities. 1/20/2026

A consumer watchdog group says major retailers are selling products online that may violate Maine’s expanded ban on items containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The restrictions, which took effect Jan. 1, are among the most expansive state-level product bans enacted to date.

Maine is one of several progressive states advancing aggressive PFAS policies that often move faster than federal standards. Maine and Minnesota are the first states to ban thousands of everyday products containing PFAS chemicals. For Ohio manufacturers selling into national markets, the resulting patchwork of state requirements can complicate product design, sourcing and compliance across complex supply chains.

“The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association continues to track PFAS developments nationwide and engage policymakers on the need for clear, consistent and science-based standards that protect health and the environment without creating unworkable compliance burdens for manufacturers,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. 1/13/2026

A new analysis from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability finds that many companies significantly undercount emissions tied to global supply chains by relying on U.S.-centric assumptions in their disclosures. When researchers adjusted estimates to reflect where suppliers actually operate, they identified nearly a billion tons of uncounted emissions from Chinese suppliers alone across more than 400 companies in 2023.

Much of the gap involves Scope 3 emissions, the indirect emissions generated across a company’s value chain, including suppliers, transportation, product use and end-of-life disposal. Scope 3 often represents the largest share of total emissions reported by manufacturers. The findings underscore rising reporting, compliance and competitiveness risks for Ohio manufacturers as customers, investors and regulators demand more accurate emissions data across global supply chains. 1/13/2026

Federal environmental policy could shift significantly in 2026 as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to continue rolling back key climate and emissions regulations. According to Chemical & Engineering News, the agency is prioritizing actions this year to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding that underlies many federal climate rules and to delay vehicle pollution standards initially set by the previous administration.

These federal changes could ripple to Ohio, where consistent national standards help prevent a patchwork of differing rules that can increase compliance costs and regulatory complexity for manufacturers. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association will track these developments and share updates with members as potential state and industry impacts become clearer. 1/7/2026

According to Cleveland.com, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declined to approve Ohio’s proposal to change the E-Check vehicle emissions testing program in Northeast Ohio, leaving the current system in place. Federal officials blocked a state plan that would have reduced in-person testing requirements, saying it did not meet Clean Air Act standards for the Cleveland area, which remains classified as a serious nonattainment region for ozone. State leaders supporting the change said E-Check imposes unnecessary costs on drivers and businesses and does not reflect modern vehicle technology or emissions performance. The EPA said Ohio must demonstrate equivalent emissions reductions before any revisions can be approved. The decision slows Ohio’s effort to modernize its compliance approach and adds uncertainty for manufacturers and employers operating in a region already facing significant regulatory and economic pressures. 12/16/2025