Environment Management

Webinar: Complying With Ohio’s Environmental Regs

If your business is concerned about compliance with environmental standards, reserve your spot now for a complimentary July 26 webinar hosted by the Ohio EPA. “Ohio EPA’s Regulations — What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble” will highlight the agency’s major areas of compliance, as well as helpful recourses for businesses. 5/25/2022

Webinar: Stormwater Permitting for Industrial Activity

On June 21, Ohio EPA will host a webinar to address the agency’s new industrial stormwater general permit. The event will discuss notable changes from the previous general permit, as well as how to renew your coverage or obtain initial coverage. Here are more details. 5/17/2022

U.S. Senate Panel OKs Agreement to Phase Down Hydrofluorocarbons

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee recently voted to advance the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, moving the U.S. closer to formalizing the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons.

In a joint statement with other nationwide business groups, the National Association of Manufacturers called the move “an important step in ensuring the U.S. joins this global effort while accessing international markets that will grow American jobs.” 5/9/2022

SEC Extends Comment Period for Climate Rule

The public now has an additional month to weigh in on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s controversial climate-related disclosure rule, according to reports.

The deadline extension to June 17 is seen as a victory for industry groups, which asked for more time to comment on the first-of-its-kind proposal that would require public companies to report both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. 5/11/2022

Ohio EPA Sides With OMA on U.S. EPA’s 2020 SIP Rule

In late 2020, the U.S. EPA published its decision to remove a decades-old nuisance provision from Ohio’s Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan (SIP). The OMA and its business allies had previously engaged on the issue, arguing that the nuisance rule did not have a reasonable connection to the attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) — and the U.S. EPA erred earlier by approving it as part of Ohio’s SIP. Clearly, the Trump-era U.S. EPA agreed.

Despite this significant regulatory win, environmental groups filed with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking review of the final rule. Fortunately, late last month, the Ohio EPA filed its brief, siding with the U.S. EPA’s final rule and business groups like the OMA. (The OMA filed its brief May 2.) 5/5/2022

Online Training Opportunities From Ohio EPA

Ohio EPA offers multiple training opportunities that may interest OMA members. These include a June 21 webinar on stormwater permitting for industrial activity; an on-demand webinar addressing what to expect during an Ohio EPA inspection; and an on-demand webinar on the agency’s air pollution permit requirements. 5/2/2022

Relief From Deposit Penalties for Superfund Excise Tax

Certain manufacturers and importers of chemicals will be liable for Superfund excise tax beginning July 1. But as OMA Connections Partner RSM reports, the IRS recently issued advanced guidance providing relief from deposit penalties from the soon-to-be reinstated excise tax. 4/2/2022

Ohio EPA’s Upcoming Webinars, Hearing on VOCs

The Ohio EPA has alerted the OMA of the following webinars, which may be of interest to members. (Click on the date for more information.)

• May 10: Information on Ohio brownfields funding opportunities.
• May 19: An in-depth look at the Ohio Materials Marketplace recycling program.
• July 26: Ohio EPA regulations and what you need to know to stay out of trouble.

On May 6, the agency will host a statewide public hearing on proposed rules addressing the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in consumer products sold, supplied, offered for sale, or manufactured for use in Ohio. 4/26/2022

Industry Leads the Way in Environmental Controls

The most recent data from Ohio EPA depicting significant reductions in industrial emissions and toxic releases are illustrated in OMA’s “Manufacturing Counts 2022” publication (see pages numbered 21-23), along with evidence of robust industrial recycling.

Industry leads over residential and commercial enterprises combined in solid waste reduction and recycling. And, manufacturers have invested billions of dollars in environmental control technologies and more efficient processes, which reduce emissions and toxic releases. 4/21/2022

DeWine Signs Prudent Ephemeral Stream Measure

This week, Governor DeWine signed into law a bill that OMA has followed, House Bill 175. This sensible bill will clarify the regulation of Ohio’s ephemeral streams by aligning the Ohio EPA’s regulatory authority with federal requirements. Under this new law, the Ohio EPA will only have authority over ephemeral features to the extent they are also defined under the federal “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) definition. 4/21/2022