Environment Management

Survey: Slower Economy Stalls Sustainability Efforts

Research shows economic pressures are stalling sustainability efforts at nearly seven of 10 manufacturers (69%) in the U.S. and Europe. According to reports, a survey of 360 manufacturing leaders found 72% of respondents said less than half of materials used in their manufacturing processes are sustainable, while 79% said less than half of their processes are powered by renewable energy. 11/29/2022

Bill Would Block ESG Investing by State Pensions, BWC

State Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) has introduced Senate Bill 367 to prevent Ohio’s public pension funds and the BWC from adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards to guide their investment decisions.

Hannah News Service reports that SB 367 would require the affected entities to make investment decisions with the sole purpose of maximizing the returns, not “with the primary purpose of influencing any social or environmental policy or attempting to influence the governance of any corporation.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Labor has announced its final rule to allow retirement plan fiduciaries to consider ESG factors, such as climate change. 11/29/2022

Webinar: Navigating Antitrust Issues with ESG Collaborations

ESG activities that involve collaboration among competitors may give rise to antitrust risk, according to OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine. On Dec. 6, the firm will host a virtual session to explore these risks and discuss best practices. Learn more and register. 12/1/2022

Webinar: Ohio’s Environmental Excellence Program

As a reminder, Ohio EPA will host a complimentary webinar at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, to brief businesses on how to apply for the Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) program. Over the years, the E3 program has publicly recognized organizations, including multiple OMA members, for their environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. 11/30/2022

U.S. EPA Says ‘Social Cost’ of Carbon Nearly Four Times Higher Than Biden Estimate

The U.S. EPA has proposed a new estimate for the “social cost” of carbon emissions that would nearly quadruple an interim figure that has already drawn legal challenges from Republican-led states, according to E&E News.

The Biden administration has been using $51 per metric ton of CO2, well above the $8 used by the Trump administration. The U.S. EPA proposes increasing that figure to $190 — a move that would significantly impact the executive branch’s costs-and-benefits analysis of federal regulations.

As explained last year by Politico, while the administration’s social cost of carbon has no immediate effect on corporations, it is likely to influence business activity across industries, including manufacturing. States, municipalities, and other governing bodies also could incorporate the federal number into their decision-making. 11/21/2022

Chemical Industry Update: Latest Guidance on Accidental Releases

OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine has provided an update on guidance recently issued by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board to further define reportable “accidental releases.” The firm recommends renewed focus on reporting obligations. 11/16/2022

OMA Comments on Ozone Plan for Cleveland Area

The OMA has submitted comments to Ohio EPA in support of the agency’s draft State Implementation Plan Demonstration addressing the Cleveland area’s moderate non-attainment designation under the U.S. EPA’s 2015 ozone standard.

Ohio EPA’s draft demonstration considers important technical information, including emissions projects and modeling as well as the attainment history of the area. The OMA has requested to be included in any future discussions pertaining to the agency’s demonstration. 11/10/2022

Webinar: Applying for Ohio’s Environmental Excellence Award

By taking part in this Dec. 8 webinar, manufacturers can learn how to apply for Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) program.

Over the years, the E3 program has publicly recognized organizations, including multiple OMA members, for their environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. Email the agency for more information. 11/9/2022

Nov. 8 Webinar to Focus on Recycling Grant Opportunities

At 10 a.m. on Nov. 8, Ohio EPA will host a webinar to discuss the application process for the agency’s 2023 Recycling and Litter Prevention Grant. The program provides opportunities for businesses to establish or expand recycling initiatives, including recycling market development for manufacturers. The 2023 grant application deadline is Feb. 3. 11/3/2022

Report: Middle Market Companies Refocus ESG Efforts

Support for environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives continues to be high among middle market companies. But the nature of that support is evolving, according to RSM, an OMA Connections Partner. This report examines how middle market companies are reprioritizing their ESG policies to better reflect their goals. 11/3/2022