Environment Management

PFAS Lawsuit Soundly Rejected by Sixth Circuit

Good news for manufacturers this week when the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals instructed a lower court to dismiss a case filed against 10 manufacturers of the synthetic compounds referred to collectively as PFAS. Read this Reuters’ story.

As reported by Bloomberg Law, the earlier decision by the lower court would have allowed millions of Ohio residents to join a class action lawsuit against the companies. In a strongly worded 3-0 opinion, the court held that the lawsuit filed by the lead plaintiff was too broad and failed to show how the PFAS detected in his body could be linked to any one company’s actions. 11/28/2023

Proposed Ban of Ethylene Oxide Raises Concerns

The U.S. EPA is considering an effective ban of ethylene oxide — used in a wide range of products and as a sanitizer for medical devices. The National Association of Manufacturers, which is pushing back on the proposed ban, has published this update. 11/29/2023

OMA Urges Rulemaking Restraint

As previously reported, the U.S. EPA plans to expand its standard for particulate matter (known as PM2.5). The move is estimated to cost as much as $197 billion in lost U.S. economic activity and 973,900 fewer jobs. This would particularly harm America’s manufacturing competitiveness.

Last week, the OMA joined forces with the National Association of Manufacturers and other organizations, calling on the Biden administration to stand with manufacturers by curbing the U.S. EPA’s overreach. Read the coalition letter, then visit NAM’s page dedicated to this effort. 11/20/2023

Webinar: Remediation and Reuse of Brownfields

Ohio EPA will host a complimentary webinar Dec. 5 to explain how brownfields are regulated and what redevelopment opportunities exist. Specifically, the webinar will provide an overview of liability, due care, and land-use restrictions, while explaining Brownfield funding assistance. Learn more and register. 11/20/2023

Foreign Carbon Fee Introduced on Capitol Hill

In Washington, D.C., there’s disagreement among conservatives regarding a bill that would impose a tariff on carbon-intensive imported goods. Introduced by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), the Foreign Pollution Fee Act would impose tariffs on 16 categories of goods produced in countries with higher CO2 emissions than the U.S.

Cassidy says the new fee would level the playing field by punishing China and other countries that “freely pollute and export.” The bill would boost America’s low-emission manufacturing, Cassidy says.

On the opposing side, the Cato Institute, a free-market think tank, has published this summary of the legislation, calling it the “Cassidy Carbon Tax.” 11/20/2023

Spotlighting the Value of Water to Ohio’s Economy

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which serves 20% of Ohio’s counties, recently published this Cleveland State University report examining the value of water to Ohio’s industrial economy and how conservancy districts help meet the needs of industry, including manufacturing. See this news release for a summary.

A presentation on the report’s findings is planned for the first 2024 meeting of the OMA Environment Committee. Look for the 2024 schedule for all OMA policy committees to be sent in December. 11/15/2023

EV Manufacturers Seek Rare Earth Alternatives

Global auto manufacturers are expediting their efforts to eliminate the use of rare earth materials in electric vehicles, according to a Reuters report. The story notes this is being done to avoid automakers’ dependence on China’s dominance in rare earth mining and processing. 11/14/2023

Cleveland-Cliffs Recognized for Emission Reductions

OMA member Cleveland-Cliffs has slashed greenhouse gas emissions at its nearly four dozen U.S. facilities. As a result, the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized the company via the agency’s Better Climate Challenge. Read more on this development. 11/13/2023

Report: U.S. EPA May Re-Evaluate Vinyl Chloride

The U.S. EPA has included vinyl chloride on a preliminary list of chemicals the agency is considering for a new risk evaluation. It could be the first step in banning the chemical, according to this story. Environmental groups have urged the agency to review the chemical’s safety following the East Palestine train derailment. 11/13/2023

On-Demand Webinar: NPDES Permitting Rules

Ohio EPA has posted this on-demand webinar, which provides an overview of new and proposed rules, policies, regulations that could impact your business’ non-storm water National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. For more information from the agency’s division of surface water, visit this page. 11/15/2023