Ohio EPA News Releases

Ohio EPA Ends Public Water System Order

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 12:49:59 GMT

7/10/20
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer
CITIZEN CONTACT: Mary McCarron

Ohio EPA Ends Public Water System Order

As part of the state’s Responsible RestartOhio efforts, Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson ordered a termination of the Agency’s previous direction that prohibited public drinking water systems from shutting off customers’ water service due to nonpayment.

The previous order was issued on March 31 in the interest of public health to ensure that as many Ohioans as possible had access to water as they followed the now-expired stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We strongly encourage all of Ohio’s water systems to work with their local partners to expand existing or develop new assistance programs as able,” said Ohio EPA Laurie A. Stevenson. “Ohio’s utilities have demonstrated tremendous leadership throughout this crisis, and many are now proactively implementing new and innovative programs to assist customers during these challenging times. We applaud those efforts and would like to see more utilities across the state offer flexibility in payment plans to keep as many Ohioans on public drinking water as possible.”

Residents with questions about how this order relates to their water service should contact their drinking water provider.

Ohio EPA will continue partnering with the Ohio American Water Works Association and utilities across the state to monitor the short- and long-term impacts of the Coronavirus, identify critical resource needs, and ensure continued supply and delivery of safe drinking water.

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. Since then, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling.

Ohio EPA Begins Testing Drinking Water Under Ohio PFAS Action Plan

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 16:34:46 GMT

2/27/20
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer

Ohio EPA Begins Testing Drinking Water Under Ohio PFAS Action Plan

Testing Results to be Posted at pfas.ohio.gov

Ohio EPA announced today that it has begun collecting samples to test for the presence of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Ohio’s drinking water.

The testing, which is being conducted as part of the statewide PFAS Action Plan, will determine if the chemicals exist in any of Ohio’s 1,500 public water systems. Approximately 250 schools and daycares with their own public water systems are being tested first.

“Children are considered a sensitive population when exposed to environmental contaminants like PFAS,” said Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson. “We need to ensure the water that children drink at these schools and daycares is not contaminated with PFAS above the Ohio PFAS Action Levels.”

PFAS are manmade chemicals used in products such as carpeting, upholstery, cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foam. PFAS can be transported through rainwater run-off or migrate through soil, posing potential contamination threats to surface and ground waters.

Although there are currently no national drinking water standards for PFAS nor mandates for its testing, Governor Mike DeWine called for the development of the PFAS action plan to identify the extent of PFAS chemicals in Ohio’s drinking water systems. If PFAS is detected in a public water system, Ohio EPA will work to help the system to implement preventative and long-term measures to reduce PFAS-related risks.

Ohio EPA will provide the test results to each public water system and publish the data publicly on Ohio’s interactive PFAS website, pfas.ohio.gov under the “data” tab. Once a sample is collected, testing is anticipated to take several weeks due to the complex nature of analytical methods.

Ohio EPA expects to complete sampling of Ohio’s 1,500 public water systems, including those that serve communities, schools, daycares and mobile home parks, by the end of 2020.

Ohio EPA and ODH are also working together to provide the public with educational information and resources regarding PFAS, including information for individuals that have private drinking water wells.

For more information on PFAS and Ohio’s PFAS Action Plan, visit pfas.ohio.gov.

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Ohio EPA Announces Funding for Williams County Infrastructure

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:56:34 GMT

12/6/19
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer
CITIZEN CONTACT: Mary McCarron

Ohio EPA Announces Funding for Williams County Infrastructure

Today, Ohio EPA announced an infrastructure project aimed at improving water quality as part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative. Williams County will receive $500,000 in H2Ohio funding for its project to construct a new wastewater collection and treatment system that will serve approximately 90 homes in the unincorporated area of Kunkle.

“Ohio’s communities rely on clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to protect public health, which is why a main focus of my H2Ohio plan is addressing failing home sewage treatment systems and helping disadvantaged communities build infrastructure,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “This project will directly impact dozens of families, and I’m pleased that we’re able to help this community.”

The proposed project consists of approximately 10,000 feet of sewer along with a treatment lagoon to serve approximately 90 homes. Numerous home sewage treatment systems in the area have failed and Ohio EPA ordered the failing systems to be addressed. The treatment lagoon will be constructed just northeast of Kunkle and could help to serve the unsewered area of Alvordton in the future.

“Throughout the state, addressing failing home sewage treatment systems – either through providing funds for replacements or upgrades, or the extension of centralized sanitary sewers – is a key goal of H2Ohio,” said Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson. “Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio plan will enable Ohio EPA to extend its principal forgiveness dollars to help more communities like Kunkle address their water and sewer needs.”

The total project is estimated to cost approximately $3.5 million. Nearly $1 million in grant funding was provided by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The H2Ohio funds will help support this project and make the project more affordable for the area. The project has secured $1.38 million in principal forgiveness and the balance of the project will be covered by no interest loan funds, both from Ohio EPA’s state revolving loan fund.

This is the second H2Ohio water infrastructure project announced by Ohio EPA in the past two weeks. The Village of Pomeroy is also receiving $500,000 in H2Ohio funding for its project to extend sewer lines to approximately 80 homes with failing home sewage treatment systems. Additional projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the overall H2Ohio water quality plan, visit h2.ohio.gov.

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Ohio EPA Announces Funding for Pomeroy Infrastructure

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 11:09:24 GMT

11/26/19
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer
CITIZEN CONTACT: Mary McCarron

Ohio EPA Announces Funding for Pomeroy Infrastructure

Today, Ohio EPA announced the first infrastructure project aimed at improving water quality throughout Ohio as part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative. The Village of Pomeroy will receive $500,000 in H2Ohio funding toward its project to extend sewer lines to approximately 80 homes along S.R. 833 that currently have failing home sewage treatment systems.

“Ohio’s communities rely on clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to protect public health, which is why the H2Ohio Initiative is focusing on addressing failing home sewage treatment systems and helping disadvantaged communities build infrastructure,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

The proposed project consists of approximately 15,000 linear feet of 8-inch diameter sanitary sewer, 92 manholes and a new lift station to serve approximately 80 homes (estimated 200 people). Once constructed, the residences tying into the sanitary sewer would abandon their home sewage treatment systems and would become customers of the Village of Pomeroy’s wastewater treatment system. The project also will have the capacity to serve the commercial entities along the route that operate their own treatment facilities. The total project cost has been estimated to be approximately $3.7 million. The balance of the project is set to be funded with principal forgiveness dollars from Ohio EPA’s state revolving loan fund.

“Throughout the state, addressing failing home sewage treatment systems – either through providing funds for replacements or upgrades, or the extension of centralized sanitary sewers – is a key goal of H2Ohio,” said Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson. “The H2Ohio Program will enable Ohio EPA to extend its principal forgiveness dollars to help more communities like Pomeroy address their water and sewer needs.”

As far back as 2013, unsanitary conditions from failing home sewage treatment systems along the State Route 833 corridor have been noted by the Village of Pomeroy, the Meigs County Health Department and Ohio EPA. Since that time, the village has developed a project which would provide sanitary sewer service to State Route 833 and the tributary roads. The project would begin on the eastern portion of Pomeroy and extend north along S.R. 833 into the unincorporated portions of Meigs County.

Additional projects will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on the overall H2Ohio water quality plan, visit h2.ohio.gov.

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EPA, Ohio: Columbus is Nation’s First Non-Attainment Area to Meet Ozone Air Quality Standard

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 15:19:03 GMT

EPA, Ohio: Columbus is Nation’s First Non-Attainment Area to Meet Ozone Air Quality Standard

08/21/2019

Contact Information:
Joshua Singer (singer.joshua@epa.gov)
312-353-5069

COLUMBUS – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio EPA announced that the Columbus area is the first non-attainment area in the nation to meet the most recent federal air quality standard for ozone. Recent air monitoring data show the Columbus area now meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone in addition to all other federal air quality standards set to protect public health.

Now that Columbus has been redesignated, businesses will face fewer air permitting restrictions paving the way for infrastructure investment and economic development that will create jobs.

EPA Regional Administrator Cathy Stepp and Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson celebrated this clean air victory today on Ohio EPA’s green roof joined by Columbus Sustainability Assistant Director Alana Shockey and Director of Planning and Sustainability for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Kerstin Carr.

“Today’s announcement is tremendous news for the people of the Columbus area and means cleaner air, improved health outcomes, and greater economic opportunity,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA is working closely with the states to help areas like Columbus, which contains Opportunity Zones, reach air quality attainment and breathe new life into their local economies.”

“Today is a very good day for everyone who lives and breathes in the greater Columbus area,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp. “The Columbus success story is the direct result of the cooperative partnership between the U.S. EPA, the State of Ohio, the city, local government entities and industry to improve air quality which in turn spurs economic development and revitalization.”

“U.S. EPA’s recognition that the air quality in the Columbus metropolitan area meets the most recent national ozone standard reflects continuing progress in efforts to improve air quality and the quality of life for Ohio residents,” said Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson.

The Columbus area was designated in 2018 as a marginal nonattainment area for the 2015 ozone NAAQS based on a multifactor analysis, including air-quality monitoring data. Several federal regulations pertaining to fuel standards and motor vehicle emission standards decreased emissions to help achieve the standard in the Columbus area, which includes Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking Counties.

Three years of recent monitoring data show the Columbus area met the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. After a public comment process, EPA formally redesignated the Columbus area to attainment and approved Ohio’s plan to ensure that the area will continue to meet the ozone standard. The redesignation was published in the Federal Register today. The Columbus area was already in attainment for all other air pollutants regulated under NAAQS.

Nationally, the concentration of ground level ozone has decreased 17% from 2000 to 2017. All other air pollutants regulated under NAAQS – carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide – have also significantly decreased thanks to the various air quality management and control strategies developed and implemented at the local, state, regional, and national level.

Ground level ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOCs. Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. Ground level ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Children are at increased risk from exposure to ozone because their lungs are still developing.

The Columbus area contains multiple census tracts designated as federal Opportunity Zones. An Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed community where new investment, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. When possible, EPA is working to target and focus its efforts on Opportunity Zones.

For more information about NAAQS: https://www.epa.gov/naaqs

For information about air quality in your area: https://www.airnow.gov

For information about air quality trends: https://www.epa.gov/air-trends

ARCO Site Cleanup Complete

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:44:33 GMT

2/27/18
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer
CITIZEN CONTACT: Darla Peelle

ARCO Site Cleanup Complete

The pile of more than 300,000 cubic yards of illegally disposed construction and demolition debris waste at the ARCO Recycling site has been removed following an eight-month cleanup. The more than $8.8 million cleanup was paid for by Ohio EPA and done in cooperation with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the city of East Cleveland, the Cleveland Division of Air Quality and the Cuyahoga County Executive’s Office.

“I want to thank all of our local and state partners who helped us protect East Cleveland residents by eliminating this illegal dump,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler.

Activity continues at the site as the contractor wraps up housekeeping activities that will ensure the property is cleaned to its pre-existing condition.

Ohio EPA will work to recover the costs to clean up this site from the parties responsible. In addition, the Agency looks forward to talking with the community and elected officials about future options for this property.

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Ohio EPA Announces New Online Materials Marketplace

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 14:28:47 GMT

4/4/17
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: James Lee

Ohio EPA Announces New Online Materials Marketplace

Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler is in Sandusky today to announce the launch of a new online service whereby Ohio businesses, not-for-profits and government organizations can advertise and acquire potentially useful products and materials that might otherwise be destined for disposal in landfills. The new Ohio Materials Marketplace (OMM) is a free online platform allowing these organizations to connect and find solutions to material reuse and recycling needs.

“With statewide access to thousands of Ohio’s businesses, communities and other organizations, Ohio EPA’s Division of Environmental & Financial Assistance (DEFA) is well positioned to bring members together in this modern online marketplace,” Director Butler said. “This new service positions Ohio as a leader in the circular economy, helping remove materials from the waste stream, promoting jobs and allowing for better efficiency and savings in the processes of creating goods and services.”

Examples of materials posted on OMM (and their potential re-uses) might include common items such as bulk wooden pallets (mulch base) or used bricks (building materials). Other items might reflect materials from industrial processes such as spent foundry sand (to be mixed with potting soil), or specialized items such as spent hydro-treating catalyst (metals recovery).

Along with browsing for materials, users of OMM can post “wanted” items that might substitute for raw materials or other items members currently purchase. Examples of such requests that have been posted thus far include bulk alumina oxide (for metals harvesting/recovery) and bulk food waste in packaging (to be used for anaerobic digestion/energy recovery).

What differentiates the Ohio Materials Marketplace from other online markets is that the platform is active in design and functionality rather than passive. Previous models (such as the Ohio Materials Exchange) and similar services in other states worked as a simple bulletin board with little or no engagement by the host. The new OMM is maintained by Ohio EPA which markets the site to potential users, verifies that users (and items posted) meet qualifications to participate, and actively works to facilitate connections between users. The site is specifically designed as a business-to-business or business-to-community exchange for recyclables and reusable materials.

In the circular economy, products and by-products recirculate productively through reuse, remanufacturing, recycling and maintenance. Users of OMM can make or save money by finding a market for their unwanted materials and avoiding landfill tipping fees; buyers save money by having access to sellers’ discounted (or free) materials; Ohio’s environment benefits by having more material removed from the waste stream.

The program is being launched with support from the not-for-profit United States Business Council for Sustainable Development. More information about OMM is available online: ohio.materialsmarketplace.org.

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Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler Statement on Agreement with the Army Corps to Dredge Cleveland Harbor in 2016

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 10:40:18 GMT

10/6/16
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer

Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler Statement on Agreement with the Army Corps to Dredge Cleveland Harbor in 2016

“Ohio has been proactively trying to come to agreement with the U.S. Army Corps since the spring to dredge the Cuyahoga River – as the Corps is obligated to do under federal law. Unfortunately, we could not agree to onerous conditions that would force Ohio to concede its case. Ohio, the Port of Cleveland and ArcelorMittal were left no other choice but to ask the court through a TRO to force the Corps to dredge the river.

It is now good to see that when forced to respond to the court, the Army Corps has reached an agreement with the state to dredge the river this year, pay to dredge it, and manage it correctly by placing the contaminated sediment in a confined disposal facility. Lake Erie, the port and area commerce win through this agreement.”

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Statewide Mosquito Control Grants to be Announced in Warren; Regional Public Water System to be Discussed at West Farmington Water Plant

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 13:35:35 GMT

6/14/16
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: James Lee

Ohio EPA to Hold Two Events in Trumbull County Thursday:

Statewide Mosquito Control Grants to be Announced in Warren; Regional Public Water System to be Discussed at West Farmington Water Plant

Thursday, June 16, 10:30 a.m. at the Warren Community Amphitheatre, 321 Mahoning Ave: Leadership from Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health will hold a press conference to announce the first round of statewide grants targeted toward helping communities mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika, West Nile or La Cross Encephalitis. Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler and State Medical Director Mary Diorio (Ohio Department of Health) and area legislators will make the announcement, along with Trumbull County Commissioners and local officials who are collaborating to share resources to provide mosquito control measures to their respective communities.

Thursday, June 16, Noon at the Water Treatment Plant, 1 Water St., West Farmington: Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler will be joined by area legislators, Trumbull County Commissioners and local officials, holding a press conference to outline funding availability to upgrade and regionalize the Village’s public water services.

The media and members of the public are welcome to attend both events.

Inclement weather alternate locations: Warren: Trumbull County Administration Building, Fifth Floor, 160 High Street NW, Warren West Farmington: Township Hall, 151 College Street (back entry), West Farmington

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. Since then, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling.

Ohio Strengthens Harmful Algal Bloom Response Strategy For Recreational Waters

Fri, 27 May 2016 16:20:59 GMT

https://www.odh.ohio.gov/~/media/ODH/ASSETS/Files/news/State%20Strengthens%20Harmful%20

Algal%20Bloom%20Strategy%20for%20Recreational%20Water.pdf

Protecting Ohioans From Lead in Drinking Water

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 08:43:35 GMT

3/31/16
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer

Protecting Ohioans From Lead in Drinking Water

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/Portals/47/director/EPA%20Lead%20Fact%20Sheet%20FINAL.pdf

Ohio EPA Terminates Two Employees, Demotes One After Review of Sebring Water Issue

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:12:30 GMT

1/17/16
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Heidi Griesmer

Ohio EPA Terminates Two Employees, Demotes One After Review of Sebring Water Issue

New Expedited Internal Communication Process Implemented

Following an internal administrative review of the village of Sebring water issue, Ohio EPA has terminated employment of two employees in its Central Office and demoted one employee at its Northeast District Office.

After Ohio EPA Director Craig Butler learned on Jan. 21 that Sebring had failed to properly notify its customers of lead levels in certain homes and repeatedly failed to provide timely and accurate information to the Agency’s field office, Ohio EPA issued a notice of violation to the village on Jan. 21 requiring that it take corrective action and notify its customers immediately. The Agency also issued emergency orders prohibiting James Bates, the village’s water treatment plant operator, from operating any public water system in Ohio and revoked his license. Butler also launched a review of the Ohio EPA’s internal protocols and timelines to determine why it took until Jan. 21, 2016, for him to be notified when these actions might have been taken sooner to protect the citizens of Sebring.

This internal review is now complete and concludes that an Ohio EPA Central Office employee responsible for sending laboratory results from the Central Office failed to ensure that data was provided to the field office to help them conduct their review. This is a critical step to help field staff determine if a lead action-level exceedance has occurred so that appropriate notice to residents and/or enforcement actions could be taken.

That employee is being terminated for nonperformance. The employee’s supervisor is also being terminated for not properly managing an employee who had an existing record of performance issues and not providing appropriate corrective counseling or progressive discipline despite being instructed to do so.

Despite not having received all the necessary data and information and the employee’s failure to provide timely data to the field office, the EPA’s Northeast District Office had the good sense to inform the village of an apparent action-level exceedance on Dec. 3.

In addition, a manager in the Northeast District Office will be demoted for not elevating the Sebring issue to management or the Agency’s director when the district informed the village on Dec. 3, 2015. In fact, the employee should have elevated the issue sooner when it became clear that the village wasn’t taking their water review seriously.

As a result of this review, Ohio EPA has made revisions to its operating procedures involving lead in drinking water to ensue this failure is not repeated. And, the Agency has established a new process to provide staff with a direct and expedited communication route to senior Ohio EPA officials of events or situations that are not being addressed that have possible significant environmental and public health consequences.

The Agency has sent recommendations to Ohio’s congressional delegation for improvements to federal lead rules, including challenges with the federal timelines for notification. The Agency is preparing recommendations to the Ohio Legislature to make certain the public’s expectations are met when lead is present in drinking water above federal action levels.

Ohio EPA ordered the village of Sebring on January 21 to offer free water testing for any homeowner who asked and will make those results public as they are received. Of the nearly 900 samples Ohio EPA has received, only 40 have been above the federally allowable limit. Ohio EPA has followed up on some of the high readings and has found that the water coming into the home is healthy and running the tap for several minutes successfully eliminates any detectable lead in the water.

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Ohio EPA Announces 2016 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Management Plan

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 10:56:31 GMT

12/24/15
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Dina Pierce

Ohio EPA Announces 2016 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Management Plan

Ohio EPA has issued the final 2016 Program Management Plan and Project Priority List for the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The fund provides financial and technical assistance for a variety of projects, addressing the quality of Ohio's rivers, streams, lakes and other water bodies.

Changes to the program for 2016 include:

Ohio EPA will offer a maximum of $23.5 million principal forgiveness, which includes $13.3 million to be awarded to 57 local health districts that requested funds for home sewage improvements.
In 2015, Ohio EPA offered $100 million in no-interest loans for projects that include equipment and facilities to reduce phosphorus and other pollutants. In 2016, an additional $100 million in loans will be offered at 0 percent to continue this initiative.
Loans will be made available at 0 percent for equipment and facilities for back-up power at wastewater treatment plants, as well as for loans for specialized planning activities, such as energy audits, asset management and emergency preparedness.

Except for planning and nutrient reduction discounted loans, all projects eligible to receive 2016 funding must have been nominated by Aug. 31, 2015.

The primary sources of WPCLF assistance are proceeds from bond issues, available loan repayments and federal capitalization grants. Ohio EPA may issue revenue bonds to help meet the coming year’s funding requests.

Copies of the final 2016 program management plan are available on the web or by contacting epa.defamail@epa.ohio.gov, or calling (614) 644-2798.

This issuance can be appealed to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of issuing a final action; therefore, anyone considering filing an appeal should contact ERAC at (614) 466-8950 for more information.

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Waste Not Want Not in the Future; 2016 Future City Competition

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 12:18:03 GMT

10/16/15
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Fee Oros

Waste Not Want Not in the Future; 2016 Future City Competition

It is time for middle schools to register students for the 2016 Future City competition, which allows students who are our future leaders, along with a teacher, and a professional mentor from the local community to join forces and develop a model of their take on how to make the world a better place.

Last year, 19 middle schools participated in the state competition for 2014-2015, and Ohio’s Future City organization hopes to see more students become problem-solvers this year.

The upcoming competition will ask students to focus in 2015-2016 on new, imaginative solutions for getting rid of things, looking at typical solutions in a new way for collection, separation, procession, recycling, health and safety, energy efficiency, environmental impact and cost. The theme, Waste Not Want Not, will allow students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades to learn how today’s engineers and city planners deal with solid waste management, as they research cutting edge technologies and imagine plausible, futuristic solutions for future generations.

The winning Ohio team will represent their state at a national final Future City™ Competition, a program of DiscoverE, during National Engineer’s Week, Feb. 21-27. The national finals team champion will receive a trip to U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. provided by national finals host Bentley Systems, Inc.

For more information, or to register a team or learn how to find an engineering mentor, please contact Ohio Future City at http://www.futurecity.org/Ohio. The deadline to register is October 23, 2015.

About the Future City Competition:

This year’s competition is held from September 2015 through February 2016. DiscoverE is the title for what was formerly called National Engineers Week Foundation. Future City is a program that allows middle school students to explore careers in engineering.

During the competition, student teams work together using project management skills. They design a virtual city using SimCity™ software. They research an issue and write a description of their findings, solutions and features of their city. They build a tabletop scale model of their city using recycled materials that cost no more than $100. At a regional competition, they can present their final project to a panel of judges.

Last year, more than 40,000 students representing 1,350 schools took part in the Future City Competition. More information is available at www.futurecity.org, or by contacting Debbie Morgan, the FCC Ohio Region Coordinator, ohio@futurecity.org.

Major funding for the national finals comes from Bechtel Corporation, Bentley Systems Inc., and Shell Oil Company. In Ohio, major sponsors include Xylem and AEP. Additional sponsors include Ohio EPA’s Environmental Education Fund, and IBI Group/ME Companies are Ohio’s host organization.

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Ohio EPA Selects Environmental Scholarship Winners; Next Application Deadline is October 15, 2015

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:19:50 GMT

9/24/15
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER, (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Fee Oros

Ohio EPA Selects Environmental Scholarship Winners; Next Application Deadline is October 15, 2015

Thirteen environmental science and engineering students have been awarded scholarships to study at Ohio colleges and universities through Ohio EPA’s Environmental Education Fund.

“We have the privilege to encourage our high school students to get interested in advanced environmental technologies and to educate them right here in Ohio, so they, in turn, can be Ohio’s future experts in environmental science,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler.

Students in four-year programs who will receive a $2,500 scholarship for the 2014-2015 academic year include:

Tiffany Atkinson, Columbus, Ohio State University (Environmental Science);
Maria Bon, Jeromesville, Ashland University (Biology and Environmental Science);
Emily Cigolle, Youngstown , University of Cincinnati (Geology and Environmental Studies);
Amanda Conklin, Norton, Ohio State University (Environmental Engineering);
Cassandra Craig, Orient, Ashland University (Biology and Environmental Science);
Emily Hetman, North Olmsted, Ashland University (Forensic Biology and Toxicology);
Olivia Macek, Willoughby, Ashland University (Biology and Environmental Science);
Andrea Martinson, Springfield, Cedarville University (Biology);
Braydi McPherson-Hathaway, Hilliard, Ohio State University (Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering);
Dawn Musil, Ashville, Ohio State University (Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology);
Obagaeli Ngene-Igwe, Columbus, Ohio State University (Biology);
Jordyn Stoll, Vermilion, Cleveland State University (Environmental Science and Biology); and
Amiah Warder, Sheridan, Wyoming, Cedarville University (Environmental Science).

This year’s student recipients have completed research or environmental work experience with projects focusing on the effects of harmful algal blooms, anaerobic digesters, soil retention of pesticides and other environmentally-focused subjects.

A total of $32,500 was awarded this year. Since the scholarship program began in 2000, $726,200 has been awarded statewide to 295 students at 48 Ohio colleges and universities. Funding comes from civil penalties collected by Ohio EPA for violations of air and water pollution control laws. The scholarship program is administered by the Ohio Academy of Science.

The next application deadline for scholarships is October 15, 2015. Additional information about the scholarship is available by calling Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education at (614) 644-2873 or visiting www.epa.ohio.gov/oee. To learn more about the Ohio Academy of Science, call (614) 488-2228 or visit www.OHIOSCI.org.

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