Ohio Budget Update: Environmental Related Developments

Posted on July 21, 2009 by Joe Koncelik

Here is a quick update on some of the important changes that were or were not included in the Ohio Budget (H.B. 1) that impact environmentally related issues and Ohio EPA's budget:

ERAC Deadlines-   As discussed in my previous post, the Ohio Budget included mandatory deadlines placed on ERAC for making determinations on appeals filed before the Commission.  Environmental groups wrote a strong letter to the Governor requesting a veto the ERAC deadlines.  The Governor did not veto the provision, however it appears likely the language will be tinkered with in the Budget Corrections Bill. 

Extension of Deadline for Construction after Issuance of Air PTI:  All air permits for construction and installation of new sources in the State of Ohio include a requirement that the permit expires after eighteen (18) months if construction of the source has not been completed.  An appeal of an air PTI can complicate financing efforts for projects.  Banks may not provide financing while an appeal is pending.  To address this and other issues associated with the construction deadline, the Budget Bill included new language that allows extension of that deadline for any of the following reasons (copy of amendment for exact language):

  • Owner has undertaken a continuing program of installation or modification during the eighteen-month period
  • Owner entered a binding contract for construction of the source within the eighteen month period
  • Director of Ohio EPA issues an extension
  • The air PTI is the subject of an appeal by a third party receives an automatic extension based upon the number of days the permit was under appeal
  • Original permit is superseded by a subsequent air PTI

$1.25 increase in Solid Waste Tipping Fee to fund Ohio EPA:  The municipal solid waste tipping fee was increased by $1.25 a ton which raises the total fee from $3.50 a ton to $4.75 a ton. Of the increase, .25 goes to ODNR for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The remaining $1.00 will go to Ohio EPA to support its programs.  

The tipping fee increase was included, in part, to address a reduction in the amount of solid waste going into Ohio's landfills.  As the fee continues to increase, businesses will have a greater incentive to look for alternative ways to dispose of industrial waste other than sending it to a solid waste landfill.  One such option is beneficial use of the material.  Ohio EPA has yet to to release its second draft of the beneficial use rules, however, as costs of disposal increase interest in this option will rise.

Spending Authority Caps:  While the Legislature agreed to restore the $1.25 increase in tipping fees, it failed to remove the spending caps that were placed on Ohio EPA fee accounts in the Senate.  The practical ramification is that even though the accounts have fee revenue, Ohio EPA will be prevented from spending the revenue to support its staff and programs.  Ohio EPA intends to seek removal of the spending authority caps through the Controlling Board.  If Ohio EPA gets support from business groups it appears likely the caps will be removed and possibility of dramatic staff reductions appears unlikely.

Rejection of the Expansion of Renewable Energy Projects-  Ohio has one of the broadest definitions for what qualifies as "renewable energy source" for purposes of meeting the State's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).  Efforts were rejected to expand the definition to include burning of solid waste.

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Ohio Budget Includes Directive to Speed Up Decisions on Environmental Appeals

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Joe Koncelik

Buried in the thousand pages of the Ohio Budget Bill (H.B. 1) is an amendment that could have a major impact on hundreds of pending and future appeals of environmental decisions.  The budget bill amendment includes language placing strict deadlines for issuing decisions on environmental appeals. The deadlines could impact some very controversial permit appeals, including the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) appeal of AMP Ohio's air permit for its new baseload coal-fired power plant.

By law the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC) hears and issues decisions on a multitude of actions by Ohio EPA as well as a limited number of actions by other state agencies.  The appeals heard by ERAC include:

  • Ohio EPA rules
  • Ohio EPA enforcement orders
  • Ohio EPA permitting decisions in air, water, solid waste, hazardous waste, etc.
  • Actions by the Boards of Health related to solid waste facilities
  • Ohio EPA decision related to the Voluntary Action Program (brownfields)
  • Orders of the State Fire Marshall relative to underground storage tanks (BUSTR)
  • Water permits and orders issued by Ohio Department of Agriculture for large factory farms

At any given time ERAC will typically have hundreds of appeals pending.  Some appeals can sit before ERAC for years, but this is typically by mutual consent of the parties in the appeal.   However, its not uncommon  in complex cases for hearings to be scheduled 18 to 24 months after appeal has been filed. 

Obviously someone felt concerned that ERAC was taking too long in issuing the majority of its decisions because the Ohio Budget Bill included strict deadlines for making determinations.  Here is the language (click here for the actual H.B. 1 Budget amendment):

The commission (ERAC) shall issue a written order affirming, vacating, or modifying an action pursuant to the following schedule:

(1) For an appeal that was filed with the commission before April 15, 2008, the commission shall issue a written order not later than December 15, 2009.

(2) For all other appeals that have been filed with the commission as of October 15, 2009, the commission shall issue a written order not later than July 15, 2010.

(3) For an appeal that is filed with the commission after October 15, 2009, the commission shall issue a written order not later than twelve months after the filing of the appeal with the commission. 

The language is silent on what happens if ERAC fails to adhere to the deadlines.  If left as is the language could create a right to file an action against ERAC to compel it to issue a decision (called a mandamus action). 

I am told that the legislative intent of the language was to remove the appeal from ERAC's jurisdiction and allow the Court of Appeals to hear the appeal.  If that was indeed the intent it would appear to be unworkable given the Court of Appeals doesn't accept testimony of witnesses.   In addition, there would be no assurance a Court, with its very busy docket, would make a determination any quicker.

Regardless, the new deadlines could have a significant impact.  With so many appeals pending before ERAC, the Commission may be forced to shorten hearings, reduce discovery or take other steps to speed up the decision making process.  It is also possible the deadlines could influence ERAC's level of scrutiny of Agency actions.

Indeed, the language could impact some very controversial actions currently under appeal, including the NRDC appeal of the AMP Ohio air permit on multiple grounds including regulation of greenhouse gases. According to ERAC's docket, a hearing is scheduled to begin March 8, 2010. The original appeal was filed in early spring of 2008. Under the imposed deadlines a decision would have to be issued no later than December 15, 2009.

It is possible that the Legislature will used the Budget Correction Bill to amend the language. Given the fact that the public hasn't had an opportunity to see it or provide input we may yet see substantial revisions. 

(Photo: wallyg/everystockphoto.com)

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Budget Update: Ohio EPA Faces Potential Loss of 200 Staff

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Joe Koncelik

Its not often you see business associations support budget requests by State agencies, especially when its Ohio EPA.  However, as a result of Senate actions with would cap Ohio EPA's spending authority business groups have sent a strong letter of support to the Ohio Legislature requesting the caps be removed. (Ohio Chamber and Ohio Manufacturer's Letter Re: Ohio EPA's Budget).

When Ohio EPA introduced their budget proposal they requested an increase in solid waste and construction & demolition debris tipping fees in order to maintain the current staff.  Under the proposal municipal waste dumping fees would go from $4.75 per ton from the current $3.50 per ton.  C&D fees would have seen the largest jump, going from $1.70 per ton to $4.40 per ton.Ohio EPA argued the fee increases were necessary to offset increasing costs to maintain as well as adjust for a decline in the amount of waste being disposed in Ohio's landfills. 

The fees became lost in a sea of other fee increase proposed by Governor Ted Strickland designed to help balance Ohio's beleaguered budget.  More so than in budget battles past, the fees were likened to tax increases and many (including Ohio EPA's request) were stripped from the budget.

In a recent Springfield News-Sun article, State Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina, articulated "fees are hidden taxes" argument.  Here is his quote from the article:

“The EPA is a fee-based entity. They should have to tighten their belts like everybody else. Not just ask for more fees,” Faber said.

Ohio EPA requested that the Legislature restore their spending authority and re-establish the $1.00 fee increase in municipal solid waste fees.  Now this issue will play out in a contentious Conference Committee this weekend.  The Business Group's letter strongly supports the restoration of spending authority, but is silent on any fee increase. 

However, the Senate went one dramatic step beyond stripping out proposed fee increases, it placed a cap on allowable expenditures from existing fees.  In other words, Ohio EPA would be prohibited above the cap from spending money it had already collected from existing fees.

In response, Ohio EPA issued an analysis that if the fees remain out and the caps in place it would be forced to eliminate 200 positions (cut or not fill vacant positions).  Understanding the budget debate needed to be linked to Ohio's ailing economy, the Agency said many of the eliminated positions would likely be in permitting sections which could slow down economic development in the State. Here is the analysis provided by Ohio EPA of the potential staff cuts. 

Division of Air Pollution Control Staff Cuts

Division of Surface Water Staff Cuts

Unfortunately, this issue is a relatively small issue in terms of the $2.4 billion dollar budget gap that the Conference Committee must fill.  Governor Strickland recently proposed very controversial spending cuts to many State programs.  How Ohio EPA will fair in this type of difficult budget climate remains to be seen. 

Ohio EPA is my former employer and I still have the scars from past budget battles.  From my time at the Agency I am a strong believer in the fact the Agency needs to maintain staff to keep up with an ever increasing workload. A workload that many outside the Agency walls don't see or don't fully appreciate. I am crossing my fingers that the Legislature will devote a small amount of time to resolve this issue and will do the right thing.

(Photo: J.Stephen Conn/flickr)

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