Environment Management

SCOTUS to Hear Case Against ‘Good Neighbor Plan’

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear challenges against the U.S. EPA’s so-called “Good Neighbor Plan,” which would significantly expand federal oversight of interstate air emissions.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is leading one of the challenges against the rule, which would cost as much as $910 million per year in compliance costs, according to EPA estimates. The plan would target natural gas pipelines, iron and steel production, cement manufacturing, and paper and cardboard manufacturers. 12/26/2023

Update on Supplemental Environmental Projects

OMA Connections Partner Roetzel has published this update on Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). Considered a key tool in crafting settlement agreements in environmental enforcement cases involving the U.S. EPA and Department of Justice, SEPs allow defendants to earn credits up to 80% of SEP costs against the settlement. 12/28/2023

Webinar: Applying for Ohio’s E3 Award

Ohio EPA will host a complimentary webinar Jan. 24 to brief businesses on how to apply for the agency’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) award program. Register now.

Over the years, the E3 program has publicly recognized organizations — including multiple OMA members — for their environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. See this year’s awardees. 12/19/2023

On-Demand Webinar: Carbon Neutrality for Food Manufacturers

OMA Connections Partner BSI is offering a complimentary, on-demand webinar that can help food manufacturers raise awareness regarding product-level carbon neutrality. Learn more and register. 12/20/2023

Investment Firms Subpoenaed in ESG Probe

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chair of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, has subpoenaed two major investment firms as part an investigation into Environmental Social Governance (ESG) standards imposed on corporations. Reuters published this report. In a letter accompanying the subpoena, Jordan says U.S. antitrust laws may have been broken. 12/18/2023

Ohio Rivers to Be Tested for PFAS

The DeWine administration announced this week it is expanding the H2Ohio water quality program to place more focus on the health of Ohio’s rivers. Funded by a $100 million boost in the state budget (House Bill 33), the H2Ohio Rivers program will include a statewide survey for PFAS presence in large rivers.

As reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the governor has said that while Ohio will be the first state to monitor large rivers for PFAS, “regulating manufacturers and oil and gas companies should be left up to the federal government.” 12/13/2023

OMA Opposes EPA’s Emissions Reporting Updates

The U.S. EPA last summer announced proposed updates to its Air Emissions Reporting Requirements. The updates would pose a major regulatory burden to affected businesses, which would see compliance costs grow by more than $3 billion, according to the EPA’s own estimates.

The OMA recently submitted comments in opposition to the proposed updates, spotlighting the EPA’s proposed mandatory Hazardous Air Pollutants reporting; mandatory PFAS air emission reporting; elimination of confidentiality protections; and a new “potential to emit standard.” Read the OMA’s comments. 12/12/2023

EPA Rules Impacting Steel Industry Draw Scrutiny

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including Ohio’s U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D) and JD Vance (R), is urging the U.S. EPA to reconsider three proposed emissions-related rules.

Brown says the rules “would dramatically undermine America’s steel industry.” OMA-member Cleveland-Cliffs has made comments in support of the senators’ request, reports say.

Earlier this year, the OMA testified before the U.S. EPA to challenge the agency’s proposals targeting iron and steel manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Sens. Brown and Vance are urging the Biden administration to stop a surge in steel imports from Mexico. Read more. 12/14/2023

A Look at California’s Emissions Disclosure Law

Companies doing business in California should prepare for the state’s climate disclosure law, according to this analysis by Schneider Downs, an OMA Connections Partner. The law requires companies meeting certain revenue requirements to report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. 12/12/2023

H2Ohio Projects Announced

Gov. Mike DeWine has announced $8.2 million in grants to support 12 new wetland projects, which are being awarded as part of the state’s H2Ohio initiative. This map and this list show which counties are receiving funds. 12/7/2023