Environment Management

Ohio EPA Sustainability Conference, Sept. 21-23

Ohio EPA will host its 2021 sustainability conference Sept. 21-23. According to the agency, this free and virtual conference will showcase sustainability efforts and perspectives from a diverse group of Ohio leaders representing businesses, communities, academic institutions, and sustainability-focused organizations. Learn more here. 9/1/2021

Maumee Watershed TMDL Plan Available for Review

This week, the Maumee Watershed Nutrient TMDL Project draft Loading Analysis Plan (LAP) was made available for review and comment by Ohio EPA. The draft LAP and fact sheet are available here. Ohio EPA will hold a virtual outreach event Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. Ohio EPA is accepting comments through Oct. 8. Contact Rob Brundrett with questions. 9/2/2021

U.S. EPA Chief Previews Upcoming Emissions Activity

U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan this week discussed methane regulations his agency plans to issue affecting new and existing oil and gas sources. According to Regan, the new restrictions will be “something that’s never been done as aggressively as we plan to do it,” according to reports. Regan also says the EPA is taking a “fresh look” at imposing carbon emission regulations on power plants. 8/31/2021

Lake Erie Commission Meets Sept. 3

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission holds its next quarterly meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at Kent State University – Ashtabula Campus. Individuals may submit comments during the public comment portion of the meeting. Learn more. 8/26/2021

DOE Projects Aim to Reduce Manufacturing Emissions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced it is spending more than $42 million to fund new pilot projects for the manufacturing sector to reduce carbon emissions. DOE says the industrial sector contributed 23% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. (Here’s a look at Ohio’s industrial CO2 emissions since 1980.)

DOE is also awarding $24 million for nine research projects to explore new methods of capturing carbon emissions directly from the air. One project will be conducted at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. 8/19/2021

Ohio EPA Wants Comments on River Water Quality Standards

Ohio EPA is soliciting input on its draft of Water Quality Standards Beneficial Use Designation rules. The revisions include changing the beneficial use designations for some water bodies, adding water bodies that are currently undesignated, and verifying existing beneficial use designations. Learn more.

Comments are due by Sept. 15 and can be sent via email. 8/19/2021

Ohio EPA Industrial Stormwater Stakeholder Meeting

On Monday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to noon, Ohio EPA will hold an early stakeholder outreach meeting to discuss potential changes to the Ohio NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit. (You can attend virtually.) Ohio EPA requests input on all current permit conditions, but specifically wants input on the following potential changes:

• Updating the benchmark monitoring schedule to be consistent with U.S. EPA’s 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP);
• Including additional implementation measures consistent with U.S. EPA’s 2021 MSGP;
• Including indicator monitoring for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for facilities that use coal-tar to seal paved surfaces where industrial activities are located; and
• Requiring the permit’s annual report to be completed and submitted via Ohio EPA’s eBusiness Center.

Stakeholder input will be accepted though Sept. 17 and can be sent via email. 8/19/2021

Biden Wants Half of All Vehicles Sold to Be Zero-Emissions By 2030

President Joe Biden this week signed an executive order that half of all automobiles sold in the U.S. be zero-emissions vehicles by 2030. While the goal is non-binding, it is part of the administration’s broader agenda to address emissions and compete with China.

Meanwhile, the U.S. EPA announced it will reverse the Trump administration’s rewrite of near-term fuel efficiency and emissions standards for gasoline vehicles. The EPA’s analysis shows manufacturers will be able to comply with these stronger standards using technology that is already used in today’s vehicles, according to the agency’s press release. 8/5/2021

DOE Moves to Repeal Trump Rule on Dishwashers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a proposal to repeal a Trump administration rule creating a new class of dishwashers that wash and dry faster. According to reports, the agency says the Trump administration didn’t follow a law requiring an analysis of whether the rule changes were designed to achieve the best efficiency improvement that is technologically feasible and economically justified. 8/4/2021

Ohio Submits Regional Haze Plan

Last week, the Ohio EPA submitted to the U.S. EPA the final Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the second implementation period. The purpose of the regional haze rule is to restore the natural visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. The SIP for the second implementation period discusses Ohio’s impact on neighboring areas and the state’s long-term strategy. . 8/5/2021