Environment Management

Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson Briefs OMA Members

This week, the OMA Environment Committee gathered virtually for its third and final scheduled meeting of 2020. Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson was the guest speaker. She talked to OMA members about the adjustments made by agency to ensure services have continued during the pandemic. Director Stevenson also highlighted water issues affecting the state and manufacturers, including water nutrients and PFAS testing.

The committee reviewed legislative, regulatory, and policy issues impacting manufacturers on the environmental front. Next year’s meetings will be scheduled later this quarter; keep an eye out for the 2021 meeting schedule. 10/1/2020

Auxiliary Container Bill Sent to Governor

The Ohio House of Representatives this week voted 58-35 to accept the Senate’s changes to House Bill 242 — often referred to as the “plastic bags bill” in the news media. HB 242 prevents local governments from putting fees or bans on the use of auxiliary containers, such as plastic bags or other types of containers often used in retail and the food and beverage industry. Ohio is a manufacturing leader for these types of containers.

The major change to HB 242 made by the Senate was the inclusion of a 12-month sunset on the pre-emption provision. Several local governments in Ohio had previously banned certain types of containers, although some had already repealed their ban due to COVID-19. Bill supporters say HB 242 provides uniform business regulations across the state.

The OMA supported the bill and will work to increase the length of the pre-emption in future legislation. Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to sign the bill. 9/24/2020

Last Chance to Register for OMA Environment Committee’s Sept. 29 Meeting

It’s not too late to register for the OMA Environment Committee’s virtual meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29. This is an opportunity for OMA members to get up to speed on environmental policy and regulatory action that stand to impact the business community.

Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson will be our special guest, and will provide a rundown of the agency’s activities and priorities. Click here to register. 9/23/2020

Cleveland, Cincinnati in Non-Attainment for Ozone Standard

This week, the Ohio EPA hosted calls to notify stakeholders in the Cincinnati and Cleveland areas that both regions will not be in attainment under the federal ozone standard of 2015. Both regions are required to be in compliance with the standard by Aug. 3, 2021.

Because both regions are reporting higher ozone numbers, they will considered as being in “moderate non-attainment.” This status change will trigger additional compliance requirements under the federal Clean Air Act, including emissions offsets.

The OMA will continue to work with members and Ohio EPA on Ohio’s responses to these new challenges. Ohio EPA says they are working with other states to examine non-point source solutions — not just point sources, which tend to punish manufacturers. 9/17/2020

Lake Erie Commission Advisory Group Includes OMA Members

The Lake Erie Commission has voted to establish an advisory group to better vet technology-driven proposals that will help combat harmful algal blooms to protect Lake Erie and Ohio waterways. Among the OMA members that have been named to the H2Ohio Technology Assessment Program advisory council are Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and Owens Corning. 9/14/2020

Ohio EPA Webinar on Regulations in Your Community

Late last month, Ohio EPA hosted a webinar titled, “Environmental Regulations of Businesses in Your Community.” The webinar is now available on demand. It provides an overview of the environmental regulations affecting both large and small businesses in Ohio communities — and explains Ohio EPA’s permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures. 9/17/2020

Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Conference Begins Next Week

Here’s a reminder that this year’s Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Conference, which will be completely online, begins Monday, Sept. 21 and will continue over a three-week period. For details, see this guide or go directly to the registration page. 9/17/2020

Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson to Headline OMA Environment Committee’s Sept. 29 Meeting

Ohio EPA Director Laurie Stevenson will address the OMA Environment Committee at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Director Stevenson will provide a complete rundown of the agency’s activities and priorities. Please plan to join us by registering here. 9/10/2020

Report: Environmental Agencies Have Ended COVID-19 Enforcement Discretion Policies

Earlier this year, the U.S. EPA and other environmental regulators developed temporary enforcement discretion policies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their own employees, as well as on the employees of regulated companies and their contractors. States, including Ohio, also adopted their own enforcement discretion policies.

This week, OMA Connections Partner Benesch published a new bulletin stating that both U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA have terminated these enforcement discretion policies. According to Benesch, Ohio business “would be wise to assume that environmental regulators will now be deeply skeptical of claims that any ongoing difficulties.” 9/10/2020

Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Conference Begins Sept. 21

This year’s Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Conference, which will be completely online, begins Monday, Sept. 21 and will continue over a three-week period.

The conference’s free sessions will focus on compliance with air, waste, and water regulations. Attendees may register for the individual sessions that are most relevant to their business. See this guide or go directly to the registration page. 9/10/2020