Ohio EPA wants to make it easier for economic development to occur in areas like Cleveland, which are designated "non-attainment" with the federal air quality standards (NAAQS) such as ozone or PM 2.5. Federal regulations require companies looking to build or expand in these areas to offset their emissions. Offset is achieved by securing the requisite emission
Bill Introduced to Extend Ohio Audit Privilege for Environmental Violations
Senator Tom Niehaus has introduced S.B. 372 bill to extend the effectiveness of Ohio’s Environmental Audit Privilege law for another five years. The law is set to expire on January 1, 2009. It was a hard fought battle for businesses to get the Audit Privilege law on the books in the late 90’s. While the law was watered
Ohio Will Solicit Second Round of Diesel Grant (DERG) Applications
DERG Round Two Schedule: Tentatively, Ohio will begin soliciting grant applications on December 15th for the second round of funding under the Diesel Emission Reduction Grant (DERG) program administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). DERG will have approximately $11.2 million in available funding in the second round. The grants pay for retrofits of emission controls
CO2 Decision Impacts Ohio Coal Plant Permits
It didn’t take long for the Deseret Power Decision to come back to Ohio. The debate is over whether a permit for the proposed coal to liquid fuel plant proposed by Baard Energy and AMP Ohio’s new coal power plant can move forward in light of the decision. Here is a sampling of the debate
Ohio EPA’s Overhaul of Water Regulations
This fall Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water (DSW) has been releasing a series of intertwined rule packages that govern streams and discharges to waterways. Some business groups have said that the packages represent the most significant overhaul of water regulations in thirty years.
To date, 3 out of 4 packages have been released:
Gore Calls For Protests to Stop New Coal Plants Over Global Warming
Al Gore, speaking at the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, called for young people to perform acts of civil disobedience to stop construction of new coal plants. He also has called for State Attorney Generals to review whether utilities are committing stock fraud by discounting the threat of global warming.
I put
Carbon Sequestration Regulation and Permitting Moves Forward
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is a critical strategy proposed for combating climate change. It involves the injection of CO2, a greenhouse gas, generated by coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities deep beneath the earth’s surface for long term storage.
There are potential significant issues with CCS, including:
- 1. Pollutants from the plant mixing with the CO2 that is injected leading
U.S. EPA Requests Ohio Provide Support for Air Reforms
Ohio EPA recently received a letter from U.S. EPA’s Region V requesting justification for changes made to the State’s air pollution control plan. The changes to the State plan came about as a result of reform legislation passed by the Ohio Legislature in 2006. Much has recently been made about the letter sent by