The Ohio Environmental Council is your voice at the Ohio Statehouse. We analyze and track all relevant legislation. We brief lawmakers and their staff. We testify before powerful legislative committees. We share information with reporters. All to help protect and restore Ohio's vital natural resources.

OEC supports Ohio House Bill 7, Energy Efficient State Buildings

- May 2010

Ohio House Bill 7 (as passed by the Ohio House of Representatives) requires a building or structure constructed using state capital moneys to adhere to certain energy efficiency and building standards and to encourage the use of Ohio-produced products.

The Ohio Environmental Counci SUPPORTS Ohio House Bill 7.

Read the OEC's Green Paper on this issue.

Proposal to transfer authority that oversees waste pollution on large scale industrial farms

- December 2009

Ohio House Bill 363 (as introduced) is intended to consummate the transfer of authority to administer the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) as it pertains to Confined Animal Feeding operations (CAFOs), to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The NPDES program is one of the primary tools given to the USEPA by the Congress, under the Clean Water Act. The USEPA has customarily delegated the authority to administer this program to State agencies charged with environmental protection.

The Ohio Environmental Counci OPPOSES Ohio House Bill 363.

Read the OEC's testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives on this issue.

Interested Party Testimony for Ohio Senate Bill 165 (As Introduced)

- November

BACKGROUND & PERSPECTIVE

This debate, as state officials have testified, represents a rare opportunity to reform and update Ohio’s oil and gas development and oversight laws. To become better informed about this complex issue and detailed chapter of law, the OEC has had initial discussions with officials at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and its Division of Mineral Resources Management (DMRM), the oil and gas industry, and citizen organizations. We plan to continue this dialogue with all affected parties and to consult with third-party experts.

The Ohio Environmental Counci is an interested party for Ohio Senate Bill 165 (As Introduced).

Read the OEC's testimony before the Ohio Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on this issue.