The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) yesterday welcomed a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision handing Ohio the lead on hazardous waste permitting, calling it a smart shift that should cut red tape and give manufacturers more certainty.

The announcement was made in Zanesville, where U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel joined Ohio EPA Director John Logue and U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson to mark the change. U.S. EPA said Ohio is now the primary permitting authority for all aspects of hazardous waste permits under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, while the program will continue to operate under federal standards. OMA President Ryan Augsburger said the change should help create a clearer, more predictable permitting process for manufacturers making decisions about investment and growth in Ohio.

“Putting Ohio EPA in the lead is smart government,” Augsburger said in the EPA announcement. “Consolidating RCRA permitting at Ohio EPA cuts red tape, reduces duplication and gives manufacturers more certainty to invest and grow in Ohio.” 4/2/2026