Today, the Ohio House voted 59-33 to approve the amended House Bill 507 after a concurrence vote, and the legislation now heads to Governor DeWine’s desk. This legislation originally intended to govern the sale of poultry takes away critical public oversight and could lock-in polluters’ control over what public lands in Ohio are leased and when.
OEC Action Fund opposes HB 507's last-minute greenwashing, public lands giveaway
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.
OEC Action Fund Opposes Effort to Suppress Ohioans' Ballot Initiative Rights
OEC Action Fund Congratulates DeWine-Husted Campaign on Their Election Victory
Ohio Voters reelected Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted for another term. Going into the next term, the OEC Action Fund looks to continue this positive work that boosts the quality of life for Ohioans while continuing our calls for improvements in Ohio energy policies and an end to gerrymandering.
OEC Action Fund Victorious in a Majority of Endorsed Races
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund Launches Voter Engagement Program to Elect 2022 Climate Targets
The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund today announced 12 Climate Targets for 2022, a slate of candidates running for the Ohio House and Senate who will shape the environmental future of Ohio if elected. These candidates are in highly competitive seats with major implications for Ohio’s land, water, energy, and democracy. The OEC Action Fund will focus the full force of its statewide efforts to support climate champions in these highly contested state legislative districts.
Statement on Wind Referendum Press Conference
Columbus, OH - Today, Representative Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) and Senator Rob McColley (R- Napoleon) unveiled a new bill that will allow communities to put the fate of wind turbine projects on the ballot. This legislation takes ultimate approval away from the Ohio Power Siting Board and places it in the hands of townships.
The following statement can be attributed in full or in part to Miranda Leppla, advocate for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund:
“The OEC Action Fund is currently reviewing the legislation proposed by Rep. Reineke and Sen. McColley. The Bill will make the future of wind energy in Ohio, which is already badly handicapped, even more uncertain, as this bill allows for townships to choose to reject wind projects after they’ve spent millions of dollars and been through the approval process at the Ohio Power Siting Board. The OPSB’s rigorous certification process is the appropriate place to determine whether a wind project should be approved.
“Neighboring states are moving toward a more sustainable, renewable energy future as they double down on a path toward more diversified energy portfolios. We know that a majority of Ohioans support renewable energy projects as a way to fight against the negative impacts of climate change on our communities. However, our state’s failure to embrace new ideas and technologies has created major challenges and nearly stalled renewable energy progress.”
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund PAC celebrates endorsed candidate, park levy wins
Columbus, OH — More than two-thirds of Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC AF) PAC’s endorsed candidates were elected and all of our endorsed park levies cruised to victory. A few of our endorsed candidates are still locked in close elections with results too close to call. We wish them luck as the final tallies are counted and hope to add them to our impressive list of climate champions elected across Ohio.
The OEC AF seeks to protect and enhance the environment, health and economic viability, and democracy of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions. We are the statewide political voice for Ohio’s environment. We work to elect environmentally responsible candidates in Ohio and to pass park levies that expand access to public land.
Our endorsed candidates that have been elected are sorted by elected office, county, and candidate below:
MAYORS
Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties
Joe Begeny, City of Reynoldsburg
Franklin County
Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus
CITY COUNCIL
Delaware County
Heather Karr, Powell
Delaware and Franklin counties
Craig Treneff, Westerville
Kenneth L. Wright, Westerville
Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties
Shanette Strickland, Reynoldsburg - 1st Ward
Meredith Lawson-Rowe, Reynoldsburg - 4th Ward
Franklin County
Elizabeth Brown, Columbus
Rob Dorans, Columbus
Shayla D. Favor, Columbus
Emmanuel Remy, Columbus
Sandi Allen, Dublin
Merisa Bowers, Gahanna
Cynthia Vermillion, Hilliard
Michaela Burriss, Upper Arlington
Peter Bucher, Worthington
Lucas County
Sam Melden, Toledo - 5th District
CITY COMMISSIONER
Montgomery County
Matt Joseph, Dayton
SCHOOL BOARD
Franklin County
Jennifer Adair, Columbus School Board
Carol Beckerle, Columbus School Board
Eric S. Brown, Columbus School Board
Tina Pierce, Columbus School Board
James C. Ragland, Columbus School Board
Anthony Caldwell, South-Western City School Board
Montgomery County
Will Smith, Dayton School Board
Summit County
Dr. N. J. Akbar, Akron School Board
JUDGES
Franklin County
Jessica D’Varga, Franklin County - Municipal Court
Hamilton County
Tyrone Yates, Hamilton County - Municipal Court
PARK LEVIES
Ashtabula County Metroparks
Geauga Park District
Ross County Parks District
Statement from the OEC Action Fund on Testimony Related to HB 114
OEC Action Fund applauds efforts to fix drinking water and runoff pollution through investing in local solutions
Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund President to speak at U.S. Congressional District 15 town hall: Ohioans must demand environmental and public health protections from lawmakers
Clean Energy Advocates Heat Up Efforts to Thaw Ohio’s Freeze on Renewable, Energy Efficiency Standards
A coalition of environmental groups and clean energy advocates are working together to send a strong message to the Ohio Legislature: “Thaw the freeze because Ohioans are watching.” Paid messages have covered billboards, radio, social and print media.
Already the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund has a high-profile billboard at
Broad and State streets sending the message to elected officials in the Ohio Statehouse:
OEC Action Fund Endorses Representative Steven Arndt for 89th District Ohio House Seat
The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund), announced today its endorsement of Representative Steven Arndt (R-Port Clinton) for the Ohio House of Representatives. Arndt is a pragmatic and principled leader who is passionate about addressing Lake Erie’s toxic algae blooms, solving climate change, and advancing a sound and balanced energy policy for Ohio.
OEC Action Fund Endorses Senator Randy Gardner for 2nd District Senate Seat
The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund), announced today its endorsement of Senator Randy Gardner for the Ohio Senate. Gardner is a courageous champion for Ohio’s clean energy economy who has worked tirelessly to put forward innovative solutions to address the algal blooms that plague Lake Erie.
OEC Action Fund Endorses Rep. Ramos for 56th District House Seat
The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund), announced today their endorsement of Rep. Dan Ramos for the State Legislature. Ramos is longtime proponent of growing Ohio’s clean energy economy and has worked hard to address the causes of the toxic algal blooms that plague Ohio’s lakes and threaten our drinking water.
OEC Action Fund Endorses Driehaus for Hamilton County Commission
The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund), announced today their endorsement of Denise Driehaus for Hamilton County Commissioner. Driehaus is committed to fighting climate change, growing Ohio’s clean energy economy, and addressing environmental challenges like the Combined Sewer Overflows that threaten the health of our families and the mighty Ohio River.
New Organization to Empower Ohioans to Protect Our Environment
Innovative Partnership to Hold Elected Officials Accountable - Elevate Environmental Issues
Ohio's environment will have a bold new champion with the launch today of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OECAF). This new organization will hold decision makers accountable, put environmental issues front and center in the electoral process, and change the political dynamics that shape environmental policy making in Ohio.
"Ohioans want clean air to breathe and clean water to drink but party politics and industry influence dominate the Statehouse. It’s time to build the environmental movement in this state and demand our lawmakers act to benefit the health of our communities and environment" said Heather Taylor-Miesle, President of the OEC Action Fund.
The OECAF will work closely with the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) through an innovative partnership that will combine the power and resources of a national organization, with the community connections, knowledge, and long-term approach of a state-based group.
This bold new effort will create enduring, meaningful power that changes the dynamics around environmental policies in Ohio by:
Building infrastructure and programs that will yield immediate gains while building long term power.
Utilizing all of the tools available to make environmental issues less partisan by strategically deploying positive and negative accountability.
Bringing on experienced political strategists with proven track records to manage the organization and its campaigns.
"Smart policies require smart politics," said Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters. "The OEC Action Fund has brought in top talent with a reputation for getting results, a strong political background, and deep commitment to environmental protection."
Gerrymandered districts and significant investments from out of state groups mean hyper political rhetoric that doesn’t accurately reflect the will of the majority of Ohioans. As a result, change has been stagnant as money from the opposition inundates the public message. Change will only come by building public support, deploying smart, effective strategies, and by engaging in a bipartisan way.
"Ohio is essential and must lead on the issues that matter. The OEC Action Fund will work to build power in the Midwest, and restore environmental protection as a fundamental value of America’s heartland" said Aryeh Alex, Director of the OEC Action Fund.