COLUMBUS, OH — Today, the Ohio Senate advanced House Bill 507, originally focused on poultry regulations and food safety. This legislation features two amendments that significantly overreach on the intended scope of the original legislation and serve as significant concessions to fossil fuel interests at the expense of everyday Ohioans. These amendments were added in at the last minute, with no significant public discussion.
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Pete Bucher, Interim President for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund:
“Due to multiple last minute amendments added, the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund opposes House Bill 507, a bill originally focused on poultry regulations and food safety. These amendments—brought forward at the eleventh hour on an unrelated bill with no opportunity for public debate—are cynical giveaways to the fossil fuel industry.
To be clear: natural gas is not green, clean or renewable, and any attempts to describe it as such are factually inaccurate and misleading to Ohioans. While it does not impact the Renewable Portfolio standard, Amendment 134_3853 is misleading and does not reflect the seriousness of the climate crisis as the people of Ohio are currently experiencing it today. As Ohioans struggle to pay their utility bills, Ohio’s lawmakers should not be running public relations campaigns for fossil fuel companies on the taxpayer’s dime.
In regards to the oil and gas amendment (Amendment 134_3853), this language creates a state public lands leasing free-for-all for fossil fuel interests. This Amendment eliminates important public oversight and authority. It gift-wraps our state parks and public lands for the oil and gas industry—without the input of Ohioans whose taxpayer dollars help fund these incredible spaces. Sweetheart deals for dirty, extractive industries that threaten our beautiful public lands are not what Ohioans need.”
The OEC Action Fund opposes these amendments and encourages the legislature to focus on saving Ohioans money, protecting our public lands, and fighting climate change through encouraging the development of wind, solar and energy efficiency across the state.
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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund, a 501c4 organization, seeks to protect and enhance the environment, economic viability, and health of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical environmental priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions.