“We thank President Biden and his administration for their strong investment to restore healthy waterways throughout the Great Lakes, making historic strides to delist Ohio’s remaining areas of concern by 2030,” said Trish Demeter, Director of the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund. “We have a lot of work left to do to fully restore and protect Lake Erie. Today’s funding announcement will accelerate important clean up efforts, while also supporting critical efforts to reduce agricultural runoff, restore vital habitat, protect millions of Ohioans’ drinking water, and equitably invest in underserved communities.”

Ohioans deserve strong leaders who will stand up to the corruption plaguing our state. We deserve leaders who will prioritize bold climate action and clean energy job growth. We deserve leaders who will fight for the health of our environment and our communities. Nan Whaley and Cheryl Stephens are those leaders.

After helping grow the OEC Action Fund into a powerhouse political force that is a key player in Ohio’s environmental and progressive movements, OEC Action Fund President Heather Taylor-Miesle has announced plans to depart the organization.

After a long debate, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the strongest climate bill in United States history. This bill meets the moment that science and justice demand by putting the U.S. on the path to cutting our climate pollution in half by 2030 and investing directly in communities of color too often left behind.

In a time of rising electric bills, Energy Waste Reduction programs like those allowed under HB 389 will benefit all Ohioans. It is critical—for our health, our environment, and our wallets—that energy waste reduction programs are put back in place in the state. House Bill 389 takes an important step in the right direction.

An overwhelming majority of OEC Action Fund endorsed candidates were elected to local office across the Buckeye State, including every endorsed mayoral candidate. Additionally, all of OEC Action Fund’s five endorsed park levies were passed by voters.

“The OEC Action Fund continues to stand and work alongside partners here in Columbus— fellow environmental groups, labor, business, civic and community leaders—to create the win-win-win of new clean energy projects, good-paying local jobs, and cleaner air. Defeating Issue 7 is a true victory for community solidarity and meaningful climate action.”

We look forward to working with Mayor-Elect Bibb and the strong coalition he has built to secure a cleaner and greener future for the city of Cleveland.

Together, these candidate-elects have an unprecedented opportunity to fight climate change and secure a healthier environment for all Cincinnati residents.

We were proud to endorse Ms. Smith given her unwavering dedication to the community and her vision for a healthier environment for all who call Lima home.

This is a historic day for people and the planet. Congress must swiftly pass the Build Back Better Act and send it to President Biden to sign into law. We expect Ohio’s delegation to support this framework because it improves the lives of every Ohioan and our environment.

The OEC Action Fund strongly encourages Columbus voters to vote NO on Issue 7. The proposed ballot initiative may look beneficial to Columbus’s environment and its residents, but really it will short-circuit the city’s ability to fight climate change.

This year, we are thrilled to announce the largest and most comprehensive slate of local candidates endorsed by the OEC Action Fund in the organization’s history.

Dirty water legislation is dangerously close to becoming law in Ohio. Not only does HB 175 fail to protect the important ecological qualities of Ohio’s ephemeral streams, it also fails to protect the drinking water of millions of Ohioans who rely on water resources fed by these streams.

“We congratulate all of our endorsed candidates on their primary election victories and we look forward to continuing to support their campaigns through the General Election.”

“Cincinnati voters have an unprecedented opportunity to elect new local leaders. We’re pleased to endorse Aftab Pureval for Mayor as well as nine strong environmental and climate champions for Cincinnati City Council.”

“We are thrilled to announce the largest and most comprehensive slate of local candidates endorsed by the OEC Action Fund in the organization’s history.”

“An overwhelming majority of Ohioans support Congressional action on climate change, and there is no better time to act than now.”

Justin Bibb is steadfast in his commitment to create a healthier city for all Cleveland residents, fighting environmental injustice and the impacts of climate change. The OEC Action Fund is proud to endorse Justin Bibb to be the next mayor of Cleveland.

The letter states, “While this administration has led on protecting our water and land resources, the harm to our environment and democractic systems of government cannot be overstated. All known existing evidence points to our elected and appointed officials having chosen to facilitate rather than stop this corruption. Ohioans—and our environment—have paid the price.”