News and Analysis
Honda, GM Announce Jointly Developed Electric Vehicles
April 10, 2020General Motors and Honda recently announced an agreement to jointly develop two new Honda electric vehicles (EV) using GM’s global EV platform powered by proprietary batteries. The vehicles are scheduled to be released for the 2024 model-year.
“This collaboration will put together the strength of both companies, while combined scale and manufacturing efficiencies will ultimately provide greater value to customers,” said Rick Schostek, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Niles) celebrated the news, noting that the cars would use batteries made at the forthcoming Lordstown plant. 4/7/2020
H2Ohio Funding at Risk Due to Pandemic
April 10, 2020The H2Ohio program could see its funding cut due to reductions in state spending during the coronavirus outbreak. Hannah News Service reported this week that Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda said the program will undergo a budgetary “reevaluation” along with other agency programs as a result of the pandemic.
Earlier this year, Gov. Mike DeWine and Pelanda announced that $30 million in H2Ohio funding would be made available for farmers in 14 Northwest Ohio counties to reduce agricultural phosphorous pollution, which is the most significant contributor to the formation of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. 4/7/2020
Webinar: Environmental Compliance During COVID-19
April 10, 2020Among the myriad of concerns facing industry are new environmental challenges caused by staffing issues, essential business determinations, stay-at-home orders, supply chain disruption and other complications from the COVID-19 outbreak.
OMA Connections Partner Squire Patton Boggs is hosting a free webinar at 1 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, April 14,titled: “Environmental Compliance During COVID-19: Federal and State Agency Guidance on Enforcement & Practical Tips for Businesses.” This webinar will focus on distilling the environmental guidance offered by federal and state regulators, and translating that guidance into practical advice that industry leaders can use to help mitigate enforcement risk. 4/9/2020
Fuel Economy Rules Rolled Back
April 3, 2020On March 31, the Trump administration announced it had finalized its roll-back of the Obama-era fuel economy standards for automakers. The administration says the move will save 3,300 lives, as well as billions of dollars in added costs. Several environmental groups have already promised lawsuits over the new rule, which requires that auto fleets average 40 mpg by 2026 — versus 55 mpg by 2025.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major auto manufacturers, said this week that progress toward manufacturing more fuel-efficient vehicles will continue regardless. 3/31/2020
Ohio EPA Advises Against Flushing Wipes
April 3, 2020You knew this was coming: As some Ohioans search for alternatives to toilet paper, Ohio EPA this week issued an advisory to not flush any product other than toilet paper to avoid clogging sewers and septic systems. 3/31/2020
Ohio EPA COVID-19 Guidance
March 27, 2020Ohio EPA has announced that all regulated entities remain obligated to take all available actions necessary to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and permit requirements.
Of course, in some instances regulated entities will have an unavoidable non-compliance situation directly related to COVID-19. In these cases, the director of Ohio EPA may consider providing regulatory flexibility, where possible, to assist entities in alternative approaches to maintaining compliance, such as extending reporting deadlines, waiving late fees, and exercising enforcement discretion.
An email address has been established by the agency to accept such requests. Click here for more details. 3/26/2020
Ohio EPA Requests Electronic Filings of Plans, Permit Applications
March 27, 2020Ohio EPA has announced that because its district offices and central office are temporarily closed, businesses are encouraged to submit plans, permit applications, and other required documents electronically when there are existing avenues to do so, such as eBiz. Plans under 25 MB can be emailed. For large plans over 25 MB, entities should work with the reviewer/division to upload via LiquidFiles. Directions for submitting docs via LiquidFiles are available on YouTube. 3/25/2020
How to Contact Ohio EPA Staff During the COVID-19 Crisis
March 20, 2020Due to COVID-19 concerns, Ohio EPA is currently operating with many staff members working remotely. The agency wants businesses to know that if you are working with staff on a current project — and you know the name of the employee you are working with — you can email them using this format: firstname.lastname@epa.ohio.gov. Or call the employee directly.
The agency’s website has contact information for every district, division, and office. Businesses can contact Ohio EPA’s main phone line at (614) 644-3020. To report a spill or environmental emergency, contact the spill hotline (800) 282-9378 or (614) 224-0946. 3/20/2020
Ohio EPA Compliance Conference Cancelled
March 13, 2020Ohio EPA’s Compliance Assistance Conference, which was scheduled for March 31 – April 1, has been cancelled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. The agency says the conference will be rescheduled for the fall 2020. 3/12/2020
OMA Submits Comments on Two Lake Erie Plans
March 6, 2020This week, the OMA submitted comments on two different clean water draft plans issued by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.
Earlier this year, officials announced the release of the updated Ohio Domestic Action Plan, aimed at reducing phosphorus in Lake Erie under the bi-national Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Last month, the Lake Erie Protection and Restoration Plan (LEPR) for 2020 was also released for public comment. The LEPR, last published in 2016, reflects actions that the Ohio Lake Erie Commission and its member agencies will take during the next several years.
The OMA has created a water nutrient working group to respond and actively engage on water quality issues to ensure that manufacturing interests are heard. 3/5/2020