The Ohio EPA is moving forward in its process to remove the state’s long-standing air nuisance rule from its Clean Air Act implementation plan, saying it is unnecessary for meeting national air quality standards and noting that many states have already taken similar steps. The agency emphasizes that Ohio regulations will still protect air quality, but the change would give manufacturers operating in compliance with their air permits additional legal protections from meritless citizen lawsuits.

The OMA worked with state lawmakers to secure provisions in the state budget to require the U.S. EPA to remove the rule, winning a 50-year effort to ward off harassment from plaintiff attorneys abusing the rule to shake down law abiding businesses for an easy buck. Public comments on the proposal are open until Monday, Oct. 7. 10/2/2025