With prospects dead for federal cap and trade climate change legislation, the focus for market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions shifts to the states. Meanwhile, as discussed in my last post, EPA is left moving forward with its command and control regulations to reduce GHGs under the Clean Air Act.
After the defeat of Proposition 23, California’s
As Congress failed to pass climate change legislation, U.S. EPA will begin regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) using its existing authority under the Clean Air Act. Beginning 2011, major sources of GHGs will be required to analyze methods for reducing emissions when seeking federal permits for expansion or construction of new sources.
When is a federal review of GHGs
Ohio is facing a $8 billion dollar budget gap. Governor-elect Kasich has stressed the need to streamline state government as part of solving the budget crisis as well as making government more efficient.
During his campaign he already announced one very creative proposal to eliminate the Ohio Dept. of Development. Could an idea being tested in other states- combining State environmental programs-be a proposal worth considering in Ohio?
Good in Theory?
A brief overview of the current state structure suggests combining responsibilities would gain efficiencies. Similar functions and staff with similar capabilities are spread across five different state agencies.
Combining functions and potentially agencies could benefit those organizations. Greater efficiency is not only good for business, its good for agencies that are constantly fighting for funding to support their programs.
The counter argument is that combining large government agencies you run the danger of creating even a larger bureaucracy. Not only could there be even more layers of management the organization could become too large to effectively manage.
An Overview of the Current Ohio Structure
Most environmental regulatory functions are split between the Ohio EPA and the Dept. of Natural Resources. However, there are clean up, regulatory and grant programs related to the environment spread across a total of five different state agencies.
Here is just a quick look at various functions that have commonalities and are divided up between multiple agencies.
Brownfield Redevelopment and Clean Up
Federal Water Pollution Permitting Programs
Litter and Recycling
Wetlands
Ground Water Management
Surface Water and Lake Erie
Underground Storage Tanks
Diesel Emission Reduction Programs
The list of similar functions spread across multiple agencies is probably longer. In addition to similar regulatory functions, each of these agencies maintain their own Information Technology Offices, HR, Motor Pools, Facilities Management, Press Offices and Director’s Offices. Combining support offices could also gain efficiencies.
Not a Budget Fix
After modifications to its funding strategy, Ohio EPA utilizes no general revenue funds to support its programs. ODNR has substantially reduced its reliance on GRF. So combining agencies is not going to do much to fix the $8 billion dollar budget hole.
However, both agencies (as well as the other three agencies) assess multiple fees to business to support their programs. These fees have regularly been increased to support rising human resource expenses within the Agencies. Fees, while imposing costs on businesses, have traditionally not received the same political attention as GRF.
While streamlining and combining functions may not solve the $8 billion budget hole, it could avoid or reduce the need to raise fees on businesses.
For a discussion of what has occurred in other states…continue reading.Continue Reading Ohio EPA + ODNR?
Many of the Midwest states, including Ohio, face significant state budget shortfalls- Ohio faces a projected $8 billion dollar hole in its next budget. With the shortfalls, is very unlikely additional revenue will be available to support existing programs.
The state budget crisis occurs at the same time U.S. EPA has been very active in revising federal air
With about ten days until election day races around the country are getting more heated. Ohio’s race for Governor is a study in contrasts on many issues. Energy policy is certainly one of them.
Governor Strickland has pushed the development of advanced energy projects aggressively during his tenure. Through passage of Senate Bill 221, he created the states
While the political and policy focus is clearly on the Country’s struggling economy, caught within that debate is U.S. policy on climate change. As the economy continued to languish this summer, any hope of a cap and trade bill emerging from Congress died.
The bill was a victim of a Congress that created a Christmas tree of
On October 6th, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published the final revisions to the 1988 "Green Guides" which provide guidance to companies when making environmental claims regarding their products. The FTC is seeking public comments on the proposed changes until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide which changes to make final.
The FTC can
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In a prior post I discussed the outcry from industry over U.S. EPA’s proposed boiler MACT rules. The rules would establish standards for emissions of hazardous pollutants for commercial and industrial boilers.
As discussed in the post, many have criticized EPA’s methodology for establishing standards. Even some State regulators (including Ohio EPA) provided comments criticizing
Northeast Ohio has led the state in the adoption of ordinances that establish setback requirements from streams and wetlands. Buried within municipal codes is the requirement to stay out of buffer areas surrounding streams and wetlands.
Homeowners, businesses and developers often learn of these requirements after they go to the City with their designs for
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Clean Ohio Council has expanded the types of eligible projects that can receive funding under the Clean Ohio Revitilization Fund (CORF). Parks, urban waterfronts, solar and wind projects are now eligible for funding so long as these projects take place on a brownfield.
This change will create greater competition begining in Round 10 of the