Ohio manufacturers will hear directly from federal and state environmental regulators when the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Environment Committee and Ohio Environmental Service Industries host Environmental Summit 2026 on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Boat House at Confluence Park in Columbus.

The summit comes as Ohio prepares for a new governor and manufacturers face important questions about the direction of environmental policy. Changes to permitting requirements, emissions rules and enforcement priorities could affect everything from plant expansions and equipment upgrades to the cost and timing of major investments. U.S. EPA Region 5 division directors and Ohio EPA division chiefs will offer updates and take questions from attendees.

“Manufacturers can’t put a plant expansion on hold every time the political winds shift,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “They need to know what rules they’ll be operating under, how long approvals will take and whether the investments they’re planning today will still make sense five years from now.”

A panel of former Ohio EPA directors will also examine the challenges ahead and what to expect from Gov.-elect Amy Acton’s administration. A networking reception begins at 4 p.m. Register today to attend this in-person event. Registration closes Monday, Nov. 30. 11/13/2026