Environment Management

Tips for Considering Energy in Your Sustainability Plan

For companies seeking greater sustainability and lower carbon emissions, a key piece of the sustainability puzzle is minimizing the impact of your energy supply. OMA Connections Partner NRG offers a few steps to address energy in your sustainability planning. 8/11/2022

Brunner Pledges to Create Environmental Justice Task Force

Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Jennifer Brunner, the Democratic nominee for chief justice, says she will establish a “task force on environmental justice” within the high court, if elected. According to Brunner, “the dimensional costs of climate change are becoming alarmingly clearer every day.”

Earlier this year, the OMA and Ohio’s other major business groups endorsed Justice Sharon Kennedy (R) for chief justice. 8/2/2022

Federal Budget Bill Contains $369B in Climate Spending

Democrats in the U.S. Senate have agreed to a budget reconciliation plan that includes nearly $370 billion in taxpayer funding for climate change initiatives and energy security measures. (See the related story in this Leadership Briefing.) According to this report by Reuters, supporters say the bill would boost U.S. manufacturing in “everything from batteries to solar energy to electric vehicles.”

The plan contains $10 billion in investment tax credits to build clean technology manufacturing plants for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. It also has an estimated $30 billion in production tax credits to accelerate U.S. manufacturing of batteries, as well as wind and solar power components and critical minerals processing. 7/28/2022

Webinar: Ohio EPA and OSHA’s Consultation Programs

If you manage your company’s environment, safety, and health regulations, the Ohio EPA and OSHA are hosting a webinar for you. Set for Tuesday, Aug. 9, this online event will address both agencies’ free, on-site consultation programs, which help businesses navigate regulations and allow companies to ask questions without risk of penalty. Register now. 7/28/2022

Ohio EPA to Host Compliance Webinar on July 26

On Tuesday, July 26, Ohio EPA will host a complimentary webinar titled, “Ohio EPA’s Regulations — What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble.” This presentation will highlight the agency’s major areas of compliance, resources for a complete understanding of the requirements, and proper management of common waste streams. 7/20/2022

Former Officials: SEC Should Withdraw Climate Rule

In a guest editorial published by The Wall Street Journal (subscription), two former federal officials say the Securities and Exchange Commission “would be wise to retract” its proposed climate disclosure rule, which would impact publicly traded companies.

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision limiting the U.S. EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gasses, the similarities between the EPA’s Clean Power Plan and the SEC’s proposed rule “speak to why both violate the law,” the pair wrote. (The American Enterprise Institute echoed this perspective in its own editorial.)

The SEC received more than 10,000 comments on its proposed rule. The cost of reporting topped the list of concerns. 7/18/2022

Last Call: Opportunity to Discuss Concerns With EPA Leaders

The OMA has partnered with the law firm Steptoe & Johnson to conduct a members’ meeting with U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA leaders in Columbus on Aug. 10. This in-person discussion is for OMA manufacturing members only.

This is an opportunity to have an open dialogue with agency leaders regarding rules, regulations, and compliance issues that affect your business. Due to limited seating and security, you must RSVP. Email the OMA’s Lindsey Short by July 21. 7/14/2022

Opportunity for OMA Members to Meet With EPA Leaders

The OMA has partnered with the law firm Steptoe & Johnson to conduct a manufacturers’ meeting with staff from the U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA. This one-on-one discussion — with senior leaders from both agencies — will provide an opportunity for the regulated community to have an open dialogue regarding rules, regulations, and compliance issues facing businesses.

This in-person meeting will take place Aug. 10 in Columbus. All OMA members are invited to attend, but due to limited seating and security, only those who RSVP will be admitted. To RSVP or for more information, contact the OMA’s Lindsey Short by July 21. 7/7/2022

SCOTUS Decision Limits U.S. EPA Authority to Regulate Greenhouse Gasses

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a significant ruling that limits the U.S. EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as an air pollutant. Read the OMA’s comment on the 6-3 decision in which the court said Congress — not the EPA — has the power to create a broad system of cap-and-trade regulations to limit carbon emissions from generation sites.

In the majority decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that “it is not plausible that Congress gave EPA the authority to adopt on its own such a regulatory scheme.” The agency, however, still has powers under the Clean Air Act to target emissions broadly, and emissions from power plants in particular, according to this analysis. 7/5/2022

SCOTUS Could Significantly Limit U.S. EPA’s Power

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to soon issue a ruling that will determine the degree to which the U.S. EPA can regulate greenhouse gas emissions as an air pollutant. According to reports, the decision may have significant implications for the Biden administration’s climate efforts.

The case involves the Obama-era “Clean Power Plan,” which was estimated to cost as much as $33 billion a year and would have reordered the U.S. power grid, according to experts. West Virginia, joined by more than 20 other states — including Ohio — sued the U.S. EPA, arguing the agency shouldn’t have the power to regulate emissions from the power sector.

In 2016, the OMA joined more than 160 business groups nationwide in filing an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit to overturn the Clean Power Plan. 6/29/2022