Public News Service

Weston Lombard, at his Athens County farm, uses regenerative practices funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. (Photo credit Sijie Yuan)

Ohio reacts to Biden's investment targeting rural electrification

President Joe Biden has announced a landmark $7.3 billion investment, the largest since the FDR New Deal, aimed at electrifying rural America…

The Cleveland Cliffs Middletown Works project includes replacing an old blast furnace with two electric furnaces to produce iron with nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions. It is expected to create 170 permanent jobs, 1,200 temporary union construction jobs and sustain 2,500 existing jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act boosts Ohio’s economy, environment

As the Inflation Reduction Act marks its second anniversary, Ohio communities are seeing changes spurred by investments in clean energy and …

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is the largest climate investment in U.S. history, allocating around $370 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. (DMstock/Adobe Stock)

Driving Ohio's energy-efficiency plans with IRA support

This past Friday marked the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, a milestone for Ohioans looking to make their buildings and homes more …

The 2014 water crisis due to algal blooms had an economic impact of around $65 million. (Elena/Adobe Stock)

Climate change contributes to shift in Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms

By Kathiann Kowalski for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Networ…

A Great Plains Institute study found health benefits valued at $63.8 million to $144 million from reducing harmful co-pollutants by installing carbon capture technologies in the Midwest region. (Ramon Cliff/Adobe Stock)

Carbon capture: Balancing industry, environment in Ohio

Ohio is becoming a focal point in the fight against climate change, thanks in part to its industrial might and a growing interest in carbon capture …

The most severe tornado this year occurred on March 14 in Logan County, where an EF-3 tornado resulted in three fatalities. (Nick Fox/Adobe Stock)

Record-breaking tornado number 66 hits Ohio

Ohio is experiencing an unprecedented year for tornadoes, with the latest confirmed touchdown occurring on Wednesday. In 2024, Ohio has seen its 66…

According to census data, the national average energy burden for low-income households is more than 8%, which is three times higher than for households that are not low-income. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Experts: Shifting to electricity could ease Ohioans’ energy burden

Natural gas is an unpredictable source of affordable energy, Ohio experts said, as more communities work to electrify homes and buildings to lower …

Ohio solar developers use Inflation Reduction Act to help overcome 'bias'

By Hilary Beaumont for Floodlight and Investigate Midwest.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Investigate M…

Two members of Ohio's congressional delegation, Democratic Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes and Republican Rep. Michael Rulli, are cosponsors of HR 8996, to improve rail safety for trains transporting hazardous materials. (Wikimedia Commons)

Ohio lawmakers call for passage of rail safety bill

Ohio lawmakers are asking Congress to address longstanding safety failures of class-one freight railroads, to prevent disasters like last year's …

Ohio has more than 13 million acres of farmland and agriculture is responsible for about 3% of the state's gross domestic product. (Donley Desdain/Adobe Stock)

USDA invests millions for 'climate-smart' ag programs in Midwest

Farms in the Midwest should become more resilient to challenges created by climate change, with a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of …

U.S. vehicle manufacturing has been steadily declining since the 1970s, according to a report by the advocacy group All American. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Toledo plant to manufacture EVs with federal funding

Ohio will receive more than $32 million in federal funding to help revive auto manufacturing and jobs in the state, specifically electric vehicle …

Fracking waste being stored in Martin's Ferry by Austin Master Services. (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

Ohio residents seek answers over lack of action on fracking waste cleanup

The CEO of Austin Master Services - owner of a fracking-waste storage facility in Martin's Ferry, Ohio - will attend a hearing by phone today in …

The Black Swamp Conservancy has grown to protect more than 175 properties since 1997, covering more than 21,000 acres. (Linda/Adobe Stock)

Grants boost environmental education and restoration in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $271,000 in grants for environmental education projects across the state. The programs will …

The United States sends nearly 80 billion pounds of food to municipal solid waste landfills annually. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Ohio State tackles household food waste

Ohio State University is spearheading a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative to reduce food loss and waste in the United …

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated a total of $16 billion to address legacy pollution, including $11.3 billion in Abandoned Mind Land funding over 15 years. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio to clean up legacy pollution with $46 million in federal funding

Ohio will receive $46 million to clean up legacy pollution in regions decimated by decades of coal mining. The money is part of $725 million in the …

Ohio artist Kenia Lamarr created a mural for the rusty-patched bumblebee, the first native bee on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species list. (Kenia Lamarr)

Pollinator festival, mural highlight rusty-patched bumblebee in Ohio

An upcoming festival in Columbus, Ohio, aims to raise awareness about the plight of pollinators and ongoing conservation efforts. According to the U.…

The National Association of Broadcasters said more than 82 million individuals tune in to AM radio. (bennian_1/Adobe Stock)

Ohio senators back AM radio in new cars, critics warn of costs

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act" now in Congress would mandate all new cars in the U.S. be equipped with AM radios, and it's stirring a debate in …

The United Nations estimates global shipping is responsible for about 3% of emissions worldwide. (Francis/Adobe Stock)

Cleveland port’s ‘electrification hub’ anchors progress toward net-zero emissions

By Kathiann M. Kowalski for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

Solar energy helps provide more than 263,000 jobs across the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. (chungking/Adobe Stock)

Report: Ohio ranks 17th in U.S. for solar power installations

Ohio homes and businesses have installed enough solar energy to power nearly 300,000 homes each year. A new report released by the Solar Energy …

A previous Bloomberg grant laid the groundwork for significant initiatives, such as the city's solar array and passage of the Issue 7 transportation levy. (jonbilous/Adobe Stock)

Empowering Cincinnati: Bloomberg grant fuels climate and equity initiatives

Cincinnati is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies' $200 million Sustainable Cities initiative and will hire three new staff members to merge climate solu…

Small rooftop solar systems in Ohio cost on average around $13,000 before tax credits, according to the website EnergySage. (Adobe Stock)

EPA’s Solar for All Program aims to help Ohioans lower energy bills, create jobs

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $156 million to Midwestern states, including Ohio, to help residents lower their energy bills through …

Drone footage showed the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Wikimedia Commons)

East Palestine concerns linger over vinyl chloride exposure

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, say they continue to live with health problems, including rashes, nosebleeds and respiratory issues following last …

From 2017 to 2019, Ohio ranked 46th among 50 states for pollution exposure, including exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

Recent data ranks Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S., highlighting concerns about common pollutants, like smog and vehicle …

$A new fracking well pad visible from the property of Ohio resident Randi Pokladnik. (Randi Pokladnik) <br />$

Ohio considers opening 40,000 acres in Wayne National Forest to fracking

Ohio's Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments - and will answer questions in virtual sessions today and tomorrow, on a draft …

At least two-thirds of plastics plants examined in a new Environmental Integrity Project report, or 32 out of 50 built or expanded over the last decade, have received tax breaks or subsidies from state and local governments worth a total of nearly $9 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fast-growing plastics industry major source of air pollution

The plastics industry is releasing illegal pollution but rarely faces discipline for environmental permit violations, according to a new report by …

According to the American Lung Association, children face special risks from air pollution because their airways are small and still developing, and because they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than do adults. (Adobe Stock)

Nurses voice support for new EPA light/medium vehicle air pollution rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has set new air pollution standards under the federal Clean Air Act for cars and light/medium vehicle models from …

There are nearly 1 million acres of modern coal mines in 12 states that have not yet been reclaimed, according to analyses by Appalachian Voices and the Western Organization of Resource Councils. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates propose solutions to stop zombie mines in Ohio, other states

Advocates from coal-mining communities are proposing a roadmap to help address and prevent so-called "zombie mines," - abandoned mine lands on hold in…

In 2023, the USDA Forest Service and AmeriCorps signed a five-year agreement to establish the Forest Corps, which aims to create Job opportunities that reduce wildfire risk, support reforestation and make national forests and grasslands healthier and more resilient. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Biden’s Climate Corps could bring jobs to Appalachian Ohio

A Biden administration program called the American Climate Corps aims to hire and train 20,000 people in conservation, climate and clean-energy jobs…

Bowling Green, Ohio, resident Joe DeMare installed solar panels on his home to lower his monthly energy bills. (DeMare)

Bowling Green, Ohio, residents say costly power plant drives up energy bills

Some residents of Bowling Green, Ohio, are saying the city's main power source, Prairie State Energy Campus in Illinois, is expensive, dirty…

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Justice 40 Initiative's policy plan includes increasing job energy resiliency and energy democracy and decreasing environmental exposure for disadvantaged communities. (Christopher Boswell/Adobe Stock)

USDA's climate action fellows to help Ohio farmers/small businesses access clean energy funds

Ohio will soon get a dedicated person to help farmers, ranchers and other landowners apply for federal grants to help fight pollution and climate …

Ohio is home to the Wayne State National Forest. A proposed federal rule would greenlight using national forests for carbon-capture operations. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio environmental groups skeptical of carbon-capture rule for public lands

The Biden administration is considering a rule change to allow carbon dioxide from air or industrial processes to be captured and stored in national p…

Appalachia is home to 26.3 million people and covers 206,000 square miles, encompassing 423 counties in 13 states, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Federal funding could transform Ohio Valley into a manufacturing hub

Manufacturers in Ohio employ around 12% of the state's workforce, and advocates say the state's Appalachian region could bolster its economy by …

By 2030, more than 1 in 5 Americans will be at least 65 years old and by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older globally is expected to double to more than 2 billion. (Cala Serrano/Adobe Stock)

Older adults and climate advocacy

While scientists say extreme climate changes are happening more frequently, a new study aims to link aging adults to its risks and their potential to …

Research shows people living in rural areas and communities of color are more likely to worry about exposure to air pollution. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Cleveland expands local air monitoring program

The City of Cleveland wants new community air advisers to help expand air monitoring in historically redlined neighborhoods. Christina Yoka…

Appalachia is likely the source of more system-wide fossil fuel methane emissions than any other region in the United States, according to the Ohio River Valley Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio stands to gain from EPA's new methane rules

The Environmental Protection Agency is clamping down on methane emissions, a harmful pollutant and driver of climate change Appalachian communities …

The Department of Energy is revoking $37 million previously awarded to Ohio's six-turbine Icebreaker wind project, which has been in the works since 2009. (Florian Kunde/Adobe Stock)

Future of offshore wind in Lake Erie in flux as Icebreaker project shelved

Offshore wind development in the Great Lakes region has had a turbulent history and faced many challenges. Initially considered a promising location …

Clean-air advocacy groups and the electric truck sector are calling on state governments to consider tax credits that would make EV trucks more affordable. (Adobe Stock)

EV companies call for building heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure

Clean-energy advocates in Ohio and around the country say now is the time for the government to ensure the nation has the medium- and heavy-duty truck…

Over about 90 minutes, researchers collected almost 10,000 Asian longhorned ticks on a Monroe County farm in southeast Ohio. (The Ohio State University)

Exotic tick that can kill cattle spreading across Ohio

A species of exotic tick arrived in Ohio in 2021 in such huge numbers that their feeding frenzy on a southeastern farm left three cattle dead of what …

Methane waste occurs when gas is leaked, vented or flared from oil and gas infrastructure. (Adobe Stock)

Report: In Ohio, much industry-produced methane goes to waste

Ohio oil and gas companies wasted $93 million worth of natural gas in 2019, enough to meet the yearly energy demands of the state's most populous …

Harmful chemicals including lead, particulate matter, pesticides, and phthalates added to plastics, impair brain development in children. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio children are being harmed by toxic chemicals

Children of color and from low-income families in Ohio and across the nation are not only exposed to more dangerous toxic chemicals including lead…

Climate Change meteorologist Lauren Casey said Halloween pumpkins may rot sooner in the warm October temperature. (climatecentral.org)

Climate extremes have some OH families rethinking their Halloween

Tropical Storm Tammy has sprung back to life over the weekend, sending spooky fears of high winds for trick or treaters along the Eastern Seaboard…

Residential solar power installations rose by 34% from 2.9 gigawatts in 2020 to 3.9 gigawatts in 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Residents sue Ohio city over rooftop solar fees

Residents in Bowling Green continue to push back against the Ohio city's tax on residential solar panels. One couple has filed a takings-claim …

Fracking-related activities release an estimated 450,000 tons of pollutants into the air each year nationwide, which can have immediate public health effects.(Adobe Stock)<br />

Activists rally over pending fracking on Ohio's state lands

A governor-appointed commission could begin approving fracking leases on Ohio's state lands as early as next month. Jenny Morgan a volunteer for the …

Advocates tout blue hydrogen as a clean, low-carbon way to produce energy from methane or coal, while reducing the world's greenhouse gases emissions. Opponents counter its benefits are overstated. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Blue hydrogen hype not backed up by science

New research from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis found making hydrogen from natural gas, so-called "blue hydrogen," is not …

Climate change board games emphasize teamwork and group success. Either all players win together, or no one survives. (dvande/Adobe Stock)

Board games help players understand climate change

By Debra J. Rosenthal for The Conversation.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection for the Public News Service-Conversation …

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing standards to regulate HAP emissions from five unmeasured fugitive and intermittent particulate sources that currently are not regulated. (Clive Winward/Wirestock Creators/Adobe Stock)

EPA's Last Call on Comments About Rules for Blast Furnaces is Today

Emission standards for blast furnaces such as the iron and steel mills in Ohio have not been updated in years. The Environmental Protection Agency …

The share of electric cars in total sales has more than tripled in three years, from around 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022, according to IEA. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio Drivers Remain Interested in Electric Vehicles

Despite reports electric vehicle sales are slowing down, experts say consumer interest in Ohio remains high. Four in 10 Americans said they are …

Massive Canadian wildfires, which began in May, have since sent much of the eastern United States indoors because of air-quality advisories. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Unclear on Whether Hazardous Air Quality Will Persist This Fall

By Leah Shephard/for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. On several days this summer, Ohioans awoke to their homes and neighborhoods …

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OH: Environment