Environment Management

Ohio EPA Air Pollution Compliance Reporting Reminders

Many reports to Ohio EPA are due in the first half of 2022. This includes the following:

• Permit Evaluation Report (due Feb. 15 for some facilities);
• Annual Emissions Report (due April 15);
• Title V Compliance Certification (due May 2); and
• Quarterly Compliance Report (due May 2).

Check out the “Air Pollution Annual Emissions Reporting Guidance” section of Ohio EPA’s site, as well as these training videos. Questions for EPA staff can be sent here. 1/26/2022

SCOTUS Will Take up WOTUS

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case re-examining how its past rulings on “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) have been implemented. This could affect the Biden administration’s goal to expand what waters are protected under the Clean Water Act, Politico reports. (The OMA’s legal counsel Bricker & Eckler has published this analysis.)

The court is also set to hear oral arguments Feb. 28 on U.S. EPA’s authority to regulate power plant greenhouse gas emissions just as the agency is developing new regulations. 1/26/2022

Reminder: Feb. 4 Deadline to Apply for Ohio Recycling Grant

Here’s a reminder that Ohio EPA is currently accepting applications from private organizations for recycling and litter prevention grants. The application deadline is Feb. 4. This competitive grant program provides manufacturers with recycling market development opportunities. 1/20/2022

OMA Submits Comments on Ohio EPA’s Definition of Solid Waste

Through the Ohio EPA’s early stakeholder outreach for hazardous waste management, the OMA this week filed comments regarding the definition of solid waste. The OMA outlined its initial support to adopt the federal definition of solid waste rules into state law — and more specifically its support for changes in state law that would encompass the exclusions and non-waste determinations currently available in federal law. 1/13/2022

OMA Files Comments on Toledo Ozone NOx Regulations

This week, the OMA filed comments via Ohio EPA’s early stakeholder outreach regarding nitrogen oxides (NOx) and reasonably available control technology regulations in the Toledo area. The OMA urged the agency to exercise caution by keeping the geographic scope as narrow as possible, considering the area has yet to be classified as in non-attainment. 1/13/2022

Brownfield Program Now Accepting Grant Applications

OMA Connections Partner Calfee reports the State of Ohio is now accepting applications for grants to fund the clean-up of former industrial sites. The Brownfield Remediation Program provides funds for the acquisition of brownfield properties, the demolition of existing facilities, and the installation of (or upgrade to) the minimum amount of infrastructure necessary to make a brownfield operational for economic development activity. The first round of applications is being accepted through Jan. 31. 1/12/2022

Feb. 4 Deadline for Ohio EPA Recycling Grant Applications

Ohio EPA is currently accepting applications from private organizations for recycling and litter prevention grants. The application deadline is Feb. 4. This competitive grant program provides manufacturers with recycling market development opportunities. Learn more here. 1/5/2022