Environment

Chair – Mr. Dick Brewer, Duke Energy
Co-Chair – Mr. Jeff Boyle, Environmental Science Associates PLC

The Environment Committee provides commentary and insight on federal, state and local environmental legislation and regulations.  In 2010, the Committee will focus on CO2 control policies, related energy issues and local implementation of Cincinnati's Environmental Justice Ordinance.

If interested in joining the Environment Committee, please email Tom Ewing, tewing@cincinnatichamber.com.

Committee Dates:

9:00 a.m. at the Chamber - January 13, March 10, May 12, July 14, September 8, November 10

Key Issues:
Carbon Emission Regulation
Air Quality Standards
Environmental Justice
Water and Sewer Rules and Regulations

3rd Quarter Update:
The Committee met in May and July to discuss the following topics:

The Environmental Justice ordinance remains alive.  The OEQ completed a “study” that claimed only 6 facilities would have gone through the permitting process in 2008 had the ordinance been implemented at that time.  The ordinance continues to lack funding for implementation.

Congress continues to debate TSCA reauthorization and climate change bills.  Although passage of a climate change bill in 2010 is doubtful, the committee was approached to join Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to support an alternative position to the US Chamber of Commerce.  Although the organization has some merit, it was determined not to support it at this time.

2nd Quarter Update:
The Committee’s most recent meeting was March 17th at which Larry Falkin, Director of the City’s Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) presented.  The Committee remains very interested in what will become of the new Environmental Justice Ordinance, passed by Council in 2009.  There is no money to implement the Ordinance right now so it, in effect, is on hold.  We are working to end even that temporary hiatus – we want Council to revoke the Ordinance.  Importantly, the OEQ conducted an internal study to see how many permits would be expected to go through the EJ process over the past few years.  That report will be sent to City Council.  The Environment Committee will want to see that study.

Committee members worked to provide Tom Ewing with comments and counsel on an upcoming “sustainability” document being prepared by MSD.  The Committee is concerned that financial sustainability becomes one of MSD’s “measures” because the utility faces tremendous rate and expenditure challenges as it prepares to meet the billion dollar demands of the USEPA stormwater consent decree.  Committee members are concerned that business and industrial ratepayers will bear the brunt of MDS’s new revenue demands.

In the next quarter we will be monitoring federal CO2 control efforts.  That topic has surely changed during the last three months and it’s unclear right now in what direction Congress will move.  Press reports indicate that cap-and-trade is no longer a preferred control strategy.  We are not sure what will take its place but we will be watching this closely.

1st Quarter Update:
The Environment Committee will be actively engaged with local regulators and act as industry’s point of contact for the agencies.  Therefore the committee should improve its relationships with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) and the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES).  As issues such as environmental justice or new regulations to attain ambient air quality standards are advanced, the committee will be seen as integral to the agency advancing the effort.  Similarly, when the city or county advances “green” initiatives, the committee should be the resource they turn to for assistance.  The committee has historically reacted to issues well, but now should focus on improving relationships.
 
The committee has been active in developing positions regarding the City’s Environmental Justice Ordinance, reviewing federal climate change legislation, and negotiating policy with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD).