Environment Management

House Holds First Hearing on Watershed Planning Bill

The Ohio House this week heard sponsor testimony for Senate Bill 2, which would establish a statewide watershed planning and management program to be administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Many different groups and agencies are working on watershed issues, such as stream monitoring, using vegetation to prevent flooding, and erosion control. SB 2 is designed to complement the H2Ohio program, which was established in the state budget bill to provide funding for water quality resources. 10/17/2019

OMA Environment Committee Meets Wednesday

The OMA’s Environment Committee will hold its third meeting of the year on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the OMA in Columbus. Highlights will include:

• Guest speakers Todd Anderson, chief legal counsel for Ohio EPA, and Mark Johnson, deputy director, business and regulatory affairs for Ohio EPA;
• A discussion about Gov. DeWine’s order to analyze the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Ohio drinking water;
• Impacts to manufacturers due to the recently passed state budget; and
• Legislative, regulatory and legal updates.

As always, there is no charge to attend and the event is open to all OMA members. Register here or call (800) 662-4463. 10/17/2019

Ohio EPA Seeks Stakeholder Input on Affordable Clean Energy Rules

The Affordable Clean Energy rule (ACE) — finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on July 8, 2019 — consists of emission guidelines for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing electric utility generating units (EGUs) under the federal Clean Air Act. The rule will inform states on the development, submission, and implementation of state plans to establish performance standards for GHG emissions from certain fossil fuel-fired EGUs.

The new rules will be a part of Ohio EPA’s plan for implementing the ACE program in the Buckeye State. Ohio EPA has issued an Early Stakeholder Outreach (ESO) to help develop the rules. If you or your company would like to provide input on ACE implementation, please contact Rob Brundrett. 10/10/2019

What You Need to Know About the Governor’s PFAS Announcement

OMA environmental legal counsel has provided the membership this memo regarding Gov. Mike DeWine’s recent order to analyze PFAS in Ohio’s drinking water. In the governor’s press release, Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson says the agency is planning to involve stakeholders in its process of establishing a regulatory framework for PFAS.

The OMA will be actively engaged as a key stakeholder in this process to ensure manufacturers are heard. The association will also form a work group to determine how best to represent manufacturers with interests in this area. You can be part of this discussion at the upcoming OMA Environment Committee meeting on Oct. 23. Please notify the OMA’s Rob Brundrett if you are interested. 10/10/2019

OMA Environment Committee to Meet Oct. 23

The OMA’s Environment Committee will hold its third meeting of the year on Wednesday, Oct. 23. This will be a great opportunity to receive legislative and regulatory updates, as well as to hear the concerns of fellow manufacturers. As always, there is no charge to attend — and the event is open to all OMA members. Register here or call (800) 662-4463. 10/9/2019

Ohio EPA Notes 25 Years of Voluntary Cleanup Program

Ohio EPA recently recognized the 25-year anniversary of the agency’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP), which encourages property owners to voluntarily clean up their land for redevelopment. According to Ohio EPA, more than 13,540 acres of contaminated land on 615 sites in 69 counties have been improved since the VAP was created in September 1994. Remediated properties range from a former gas station to the sites of closed steel mills. 9/30/2019

Governor Enters Fray on PFAS

Gov. Mike DeWine late last week announced that he has directed state agencies to analyze the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Ohio’s drinking water. This action followed a Sept. 18 letter from Gov. DeWine and 14 other governors to federal lawmakers, calling for more comprehensive federal legislation on PFAS standards.

The debate over PFAS has become controversial as plaintiffs’ lawyers aggressively attempt to litigate against manufacturers. Stay tuned for more on this important topic. 10/3/2019

Opportunities for Comment on Ohio EPA Regs Changes

Ohio EPA is offering stakeholders the chance to provide the agency with input on the following:

• Oct. 18, 2019 deadline: Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC), Carbon Monoxide, Photochemically Reactive Materials, Hydrocarbons, and Related Materials Standards.
• Oct. 22, 2019 deadline: Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC), Emission Reduction Credit (ERC) Banking Program Rules.
• Oct. 28, 2019 deadline: Division of Surface Water (DSW), Beneficial Use Designation Rules, Wave 2.
• Oct. 28, 2019 deadline: Division of Surface Water (DSW), Beneficial Use Designation Rules, Wave 3.

Please contact the OMA’s Rob Brundrett with questions. 10/3/2019

You’re Invited: Nov. 19 Meeting with EPA Officials in Chicago

As reported earlier, the OMA has partnered with the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson to host a manufacturers’ meeting with senior management of U.S. EPA Region V and Ohio EPA. The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the U.S. EPA offices in Chicago — and all OMA members are invited.

Attendees of last year’s meeting found it valuable in terms of learning more about EPA policies and practices, while building relationships with agency leaders. Due to security and limited seating, you’ll need to reserve your spot early. Please contact the OMA’s Rob Brundrett to save your spot. Only those who RSVP can be admitted. 9/24/2019

OMA Environment Committee Will Meet Oct. 23

Save the date for the upcoming OMA Environment Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (EDT). We’ll meet in the OMA offices and lunch will be provided. This is a good opportunity for OMA members to receive legislative and regulatory updates, as well as be briefed on key provisions in the state budget. Go here to register, or call the OMA at (800) 662-4463. You must register for in-person or call-in attendance. 9/25/2019