Your source for the latest news and information about environmental issues in Ohio.
State Cancels Deal that Would Have Destroyed Rare Wetland
The Ohio Environmental Council is applauding the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) decision on May 2 to terminate its contract with a private developer to swap the Sawmill Wetlands - a rare, forested, urban wetland in Columbus - for a larger but ecologically inferior tract of land.
FIGHT OVER CLEAN ENERGY HEATING UP
State Senator Bill Seitz, who is the Chairman of the Ohio Senate Public Utilities Committee, is aggressively conducting a full "review" (Ohio Senate Bill 58) of both the renewable portfolio standard and energy efficiency standard.
While no policy changes are yet proposed, the Ohio Environmental Council is very concerned that this review will result in a weakening of the standards, which will inhibit renewable energy development and investments in energy efficiency.
Here is OEC's testimony that was submitted for the April 9 hearing - the first hearing on SB 58 - and testimony presented on April 23. Read more.
OEC Testifies on Proposed Budget Bills
Transportation: Ohio Environmental Council joins a coalition of partners calling on Ohio lawmakers to fund affordable, accessible, and environmentally-friendly transportation options in Ohio. Read more.
Land & Water Management: While the Governor's budget proposes growth for the budgets of several individual divisions and programs within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, other important programs and divisions are slated for substantial cuts. Read more.
Oil, Gas & Coal Extraction. While much of the debate in Ohio has been on Oil and Natural Gas extraction, there is still coal being mined in much of eastern Ohio. The legacy of unregulated impacts from coal mining can still be witnessed in the land and water resources of that region. Read more.
Read more testimony.
View Jack Shaner's March 21 testimony on the main state operating budget before the House Finance & Appropriations Committee. Click on March 21, video part 2. Jack's testimony begins at 1:55 mark.
