On August 24th, Ohio EPA released new guidance that incorporates an unprecedented approach to vapor intrusion. Under the new guidance, Recommendations Regarding Response Action Levels and Timeframes for Common Contaminants of Concern at Vapor Intrusion Sites in Ohio, the Agency is for the first time demanding immediate action when contaminant levels exceed certain established
What Ohio Can Learn from the New Kansas Brownfield Law
In my four part blog post series- Rethinking Brownfield Redevelopment in Ohio- the final post advocated for a new Ohio liability protection law for buyers of contaminated property. The new law would provide brownfield redevelopers liability protection faster and at a lower cost than the current Ohio Voluntary Action Program (VAP).
I suggested looking to
Rethinking Brownfield Redevelopment in Ohio- Part 3 of 4
This is the third post in a series of four assessing the current state of brownfield redevelopment in the State of Ohio. This third post will evaluate the progress Ohio has made in the last twenty years with regard to addressing brownfields.
Current Options for Addressing Environmental Liability
As discussed extensively in the prior posts
Ohio Enacts More Restrictions on Oil & Gas Related Wastes
With the passage of Ohio’s budget bill (House Bill 59), the State has enacted tougher regulation of oil & gas related wastes. Beginning January 1, 2014, a person is prohibited from storing, recycling, treating, processing, or disposing of brine or other waste substances associated with oil & gas exploration and production without a permit or
New Funds Available in Clean Ohio Brownfield Grant Fund
As of July 1st, the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF) has been injected with new funding. Below is the update recently sent out by the Ohio Department of Development.
I have heard that the 25% set aside for clean up projects has already been accounted for fifteen days into July. Obviously, there must have been projects
Observations on Sustainable Cleveland 2019
The Sustainable Cleveland 2019 summit was unlike any other conference or summit I had attended. I have been to plenty where the goal was simply to raise awareness- Typically a parade of talking heads followed up by urgent pleas to do something in the future.
The Cleveland Summit was much different. It took some 700 attendees
So You Want Green Jobs Cleveland…
Cleveland has is trying to increase momentum toward become a hub of green industry. As a recent Clevelander I appreciate the efforts to promote sustainability, renewable power, and other green industry as a means of attracting jobs and improving the economy. (photo:flickr:heidigoseek)
I have had the luxury of working with many of the
Ending 40 Years Of Cleveland Jokes: A River’s Recovery
June 22nd will mark the 40 year anniversary of the famous 1969 fire on the Cuyahoga River. A picture of the fire in Time magazine was credited with bringing national focus to water pollution in the United States. Here is a quote from a recent Cleveland Plain Dealer Article on the notorious fire:
"The fire did contribute
Improving Air Quality Good News to Cleveland Area Businesses
There is good news for area businesses. Additional compliance costs and restrictions on economic growth will be avoided that were deemed all but certain a few years ago. The compliance costs were associated with new air pollution controls needed to achieve U.S. EPA’s 1997 8-hour ozone standard (0.85 ppm). The deadline to meet this
Local Zoning Can Tie Up Small Solar and Wind Projects in Red Tape
When a former Secretary of State (George Shultz) and a Vice President (Al Gore) can’t seem to navigate local ordinances to install solar systems on their own homes, what are the chances for everyone else?
These are two high profile examples cited in a recent report that discusses streamlining the local approval process for solar and