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Ohio EPA is moving forward with substantial changes to the rules for the Voluntary Action Program (VAP) which governs the procedures and standards for voluntary cleanup of industrial sites and brownfields. The Agency provided an overview of the changes and its response to public comments last week at the Ohio Brownfields Conference in Columbus.
The
In Ohio, the primary brownfield cleanup program is known as the Voluntary Action Program (VAP). Volunteers can cleanup their site to commercial/industrial or residential standards. Upon completing the cleanup the volunteer can receive a legal release from the State of Ohio (called a "Covenant-Not-to-Sue" or CNS).
The CNS under the VAP does not include a
This past spring, the Kasich Administration put another $15 million in grant funding into the Clean Ohio program. (See prior post). While a public announcement has yet to be made regarding grant awards for the remaining $15 million, it is my understanding that the money is allocated. Announcements may be made next week at
Ohio EPA has established its own voluntary cleanup program for addressing hazardous substances and obtaining a legal release from liability- the Voluntary Action Program (VAP). The VAP program has been on the books since 1995.
When the VAP was created its purpose was to allow the private sector to address historical contamination at industrial or
On Friday, the Clean Ohio Council met to discuss proposed changes to the Clean Ohio program. As discussed previously on this blog, the Kasich Administration has repeatedly discussed completely revamping brownfield funding in Ohio. The Administration previously announced its intention to shift the program’s administration to JobsOhio along with the liquor profits that were used to payoff
With regard to industrial properties and brownfields clean ups, perhaps no issue clean up standard has garnered more attention and increased scrutiny than indoor air. It looks like 2012 could be the year when EPA finally updates its decade old draft guidance.
EPA never finalized its 2002 draft guidance on assessing indoor air risks ("OSWER Draft Guidance for Evaluating the
Last week Senator Schaffer introduced Senate Bill 294– dubbed the EPA reform bill. According to testimony from Senator Schaffer and OEPA Director Scott Nally, the two had been working on the legislation for months.
This bill is the probably the first since Ohio EPA creation that touches on so many different areas of
Details were released this week by the Kasich Administration on the establishment of its privatized economic development agency known as JobsOhio. Many of the traditional job creation duties that fell to the Ohio Department of Development will be shifted to JobsOhio.
Along with the restructuring of development duties, the Administration is shifting the State’s liquor
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The Clean Ohio Council awarded half the available funds for brownfield redevelopment for fiscal year 2012 two weeks ago. As discussed in prior posts, available funding is running out in the next few months.
The future of State brownfield funding became uncertain when the Kasich Administration shifted funding from the state’s liquor profits to JobsOhio.
Current Debate Regarding the Future of the Clean Ohio Program
The Kasich Administration has announced that it is re-evaluating the Clean Ohio program. The next round of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Program (Round 12) will be the last. Also, funding under the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund, which pays for sampling on brownfield properties, is likely to