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2014 Environmental Lobby Day Know-the-Issues Webinar
This document provides an overview of several environmental issues and lobbying tips for an Environmental Lobby Day event. It discusses Ohio's current energy portfolio, the impacts of proposed bill SB 58 on clean energy standards, and recommends rejecting the bill. It also addresses orphan oil and gas well plugging, increasing funding for geological surveys before drilling, banning manure application on frozen ground to reduce nutrient pollution, the successes of the Clean Ohio Fund in conserving land and trails, and tips for effective lobbying.
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2014 Environmental Lobby Day Know-the-Issues Webinar
- 1. Environmental Lobby Day: Knowthe Issues Thank you for joining us. We will begin in a moment. Please check your speakers/phone connection. If you experience any problems, please let us know by typing in the chat box. Many thanks to our Environmental Lobby Day Sponsors: Mom’s Clean Air Force www.facebook.com/ohioenvironmentalcouncil www.twitter.com/ohioenviro
- 2. Ohio Environmental Council TheOEC is Ohio’s most comprehensive, effective and respected environmental advocate for a healthier, more sustainable Ohio. Our experts work daily to restore, protect, and strengthen the quality of life for families and communities—from the air we breathe and the water we drink to the food we eat and natural resources we enjoy. Please join us! OEC members: Receive great benefits Become part of the community working to restore, protect, and strengthen the quality of life for families and communities in Ohio. Become a member today at www.theOEC.org.
- 3. The following isan overview of Ohio’s current clean energy law (SB 221), about the energy market in the state, and about SB 58, which aims to gut Ohio’s current energy efficiency and renewable resources standards. SB 58: The Fight for Ohio’s Clean Energy Future Katy Shanahan, Clean Energy Campaigns Associate
- 4. Clean Energy 78% 11% 9% 1% 1% Coal(77.87%) Nuclear (11%) Natural Gas (9%) Renewables (~1%) Fuel Oil (~1%) Where Does Ohio Get Its Energy?
- 5. Clean Energy Increasediversity in electricity portfolio (RE) Hedge against anticipated energy price increases (EE) Create Jobs Save energy & save consumers money Why Clean Energy Standards?
- 6. Clean Energy Jobscreated Burgeoning energy market Utility costs decreased Cleaner environment Positive Impacts of SB 221
- 7. Clean Energy SB 58would gut Ohio’s current energy efficiency and renewable resources standards. Economic and environmental effects • Utility costs • Jobs and economic competiveness decrease • Detriment to environment What is SB 58?
- 8. Recommendation for OGA TheAsk: Reject SB 58 and its companion bill HB 302 in their entirety as they are currently written. During the last six years Ohio has made great strides in becoming a cleaner and healthier environment in which to live and removing our current energy efficiency and renewable resources standards would be detrimental to the progress the state has made.
- 9. Orphan Well Pluggingand Geological Survey Jack Shaner, OEC Deputy Director Oil and gas extraction (―fracking‖) poses many risks to the environment. Two easy but critical steps that lawmakers should take right away are to: • Speed up the plugging of old, abandoned ―orphan‖ oil and gas wells • Step up the geological survey of underground water sources and fault lines before approving new oil and gas wells
- 10. Orphan Well Plugging Thousands of old, improperly abandoned ―orphan‖ oil and gas wells dot Ohio’s landscape. Pose a number of threats to the environment. Good news: Additional $1M to ODNR’s Orphan Well Plugging Program. More good news: The Ohio House of Representatives proposed additional $3M for the program.
- 11. Orphan Well Plugging Need more than funding. Since 1977, the ODNR has plugged 1,000 wells Establish an Orphan Well Fund -- a "lockbox" that can only be used for plugging orphan wells Require the ODNR to perform an inventory of orphan wells including the identification of any remaining responsible parties than can pay for the plugging of any wells that they abandoned.
- 12. Geological Survey Why itmatters: Scientists have confirmed earthquakes from oil and gas waste-water injection wells, but never from production wells. The Ohio House has proposed $3M per fiscal year for ODNR Geological Survey. The OEC is calling on lawmakers to immediately increase current funding by $1M.
- 13. Recommendation for OGA TheAsk: Reduce the risk of environmental impacts from past, present, and future oil + gas extraction (―fracking‖) by: A. Speeding up the efficient plugging of old, abandoned orphan wells B. Stepping up pre-drilling geological surveys for new wells
- 14. Nutrient Pollution &Manure Kristen Kubitza, Director of Water Policy & Outreach • Environmental Impacts • Public Health Impacts • Recreation Impacts • Economic Costs Nutrient Pollution In Ohio’s Waterways
- 15. Nutrient Pollution &Manure Lake Erie, Grand Lake St. Mary’s, and beyond Akron Lima Findlay Clarmont Co.
- 16. Nutrient Pollution &Manure Sources of Nutrient Pollution Waste Water Treatment Plants Urban Stormwater Runoff Open Lake Disposal of Dredged Material Agricultural Commercial Fertilizer Agricultural Manure
- 17. Nutrient Pollution &Manure Why Manure? ―Agricultural operations are a major source of phosphorus loadings into Lake Erie. These loadings result primarily from fertilizer application and manure. The bulk of this input occurs during spring snowmelt and heavy rainstorms, when significant amounts of phosphorus can be transported by runoff water.‖ IJC, 2014
- 18. Recommendation for OGA TheAsk: Urge the Ohio General Assembly to pass legislation that ban’s the application of manure on frozen or snow covered ground.
- 19. Clean Ohio Fund JackShaner, Deputy Director Imagine a fund that can: • Conserve beautiful open space, ecologically sensitive areas + stream corridors • Preserve family farmland • Build bicycle and walking trails • Clean up and revitalize old industrial sites Imagine no more! It’s called the Clean Ohio Fund.
- 20. Clean Ohio Fund:4 great programs The Clean Ohio Fund is a state matching fund for land and water conservation projects. The Fund restores, protects, and connects Ohio's important natural and urban places by: Conserving green space + stream corridors Preserving family farmland Building recreational trails Cleaning up old industrial brownfields
- 21. Clean Ohio Fund:a proven success Some government programs only promise results. The Clean Ohio fund actually delivers results. Since the voters first approved it in 2000, the Clean Ohio Fund has: Conserved more than 26,000 acres of open space Preserved 40,000 acres of prime farmland Built more than 200 miles of family-friendly trails Cleaned up 400 old industrial sites Benefited all Ohio with projects in all 88 counties
- 22. Clean Ohio Fund:a positive ROI The Clean Ohio Fund is not only good for Mother Nature. It’s also good for jobs and the economy. $800M in Clean Ohio investment has leveraged an additional $2.6B in total economic impact Clean Ohio Fund bonds do not raise taxes. Each $25M in bonds requires only $2.3M in debt service. The Clean Ohio Fund is helping build a cleaner, greener, more sustainable Ohio – helping make Ohio a more attractive place to start a business, grow a family, and enjoy the great outdoors.
- 23. Recommendation for theOGA Governor John Kasich has just proposed $100M in Clean Ohio Funds over the next 2 years – the maximum amount allowed by Ohio law! The Ask: Please support Gov. Kasich’s proposal in the Capital Budget Bill (HB 497) to invest $100M in the Clean Ohio Fund: $75M for conserving green space $12.5M for preserving family farmland $12.5M for building recreational trails
- 24. Lobbying Tips Tips foreffective lobbying. 1) Remember lawmakers are human beings 2) Be on time 3) Press for commitment 4) Be a good listener 5) Say thank you Brian Kaiser, Director of Green Jobs & Innovation OEC’s Advocacy toolkit: www.theOEC.org
- 25. Q & A- Feedback Questions? Feedback? LobbyDay@theOEC.org Follow us on Twitter @OhioEnviro Take a brief survey to help us continually improve Environmental Lobby Day
Editor's Notes
- #15 CWA states that waters must be “swimmable, drinkable, and fishable” Based on simple appearance – many Ohio waterways are not meeting this standardAs is apparently by the image at the bottom of the screen, too many nutrients in our waterways is damaging to our environment. Yet, the damage does not stop there. Nutrient pollution has wide ranging consequences for the environment, public health, recreation, and our economy.Environmental ImpactsExcessive nutrients results in: the growth of nuisance algal vegetation, harmful algal blooms that contain dangers toxics, Depletion of the available supply of oxygen in the water, therby decreasing habitat- Changes in fisheries, including decline in polpulationsPublic Health ImpactsHarmful Algal Blooms contain liver and nerou toxins that can result in serious serious illness or deathIllness can occure as a result of drinking, touching the water There are Technological limits on the ability to treat drinking water. As the levels of toxins in the water rise so to does the cost to treat the water and at certain levels the water may not be able to be treated. Last September Carrol Township, up on lake erie was issued a public drinking water – Do Not Drink OrderAdditionally, Fish that live in these waters accumulate the toxis and can no longer be consumed as foodImportant to note Lake Erie provides drinking water for 11 million people, including 3 million OhioansRecreation ImpactsWhen algae growth is excessive or a harmful algal bloom has occurred, It becomes no longer desirable or longer safe to recreate in ohio’s waters. This effects activites ranging from: fishing, swimming, boating, jetsking, waterskiing, and, kyaking.This also effects day’s at the beach or at state parks as the natural areas become unpleasent at best and dangerous at worstEconomic ImpactsPublic Drinking Water factilities – are already spending millions of dollars to remove excess nutreints from Ohio waters. + Toledo spends $200,000/month extra to treat their drinking water duirng a Harmful Algal bloom + Columbus spent 10,000/day to treat drinking water in response to algal taste and odor problemsAs peolple believe that these activities are no loger safe or simply unpleasent dollars spent on recreation decline – this includes money spent on fishing, recreation retals (such as boats, kyacks), but also hotel and lodging indusry, resturant industry, retail industry among others.Lake Erie alone is an 11 billion dollar toursimindsutry and supports over 115,000 jobs in seven counties in Ohio alone
- #16 When we talk about nutrient issues many individuals think of Lake Erie, or Grand Lake St mary’s. However, excessive nutrients are not limited to these two prominent lakes. Rivers, streams and in land lakes across Ohio have been impaired by excessive nutrients and have reached a critical condition. This map shows locations for HABS at public drinking water supply lakes and reservoirs. This does not show HABs in the vast waterbodies in ohio.
- #17 Urban Stormwater RunoffImpervious surfaces (roads, driveways, rooftops, parking lots, etc.), prevent precipitation from entering the water cycle naturally by preventing precipitation from infiltrating into the ground and evaporating. As a result, precipitation runs across these impervious surfaces, collecting a variety of pollutants as it travels before discharging into our waterways. This stormwater is either drained into separate stormwater pipes or into combined sewer and stormwater pipes. Both types of systems fail to adequately protect water quality. Research shows that stormwater contains a variety of pollutants including: nutrients.Wastewater Treatment PlantsDischarge through 2 different mechanisms1) Through discharge of treated wastewater. Although the water has been treated, nutrients remain in the treated effulent. The amount varies by plant and their permit requirements. 2) Through Combined Sewer Overflows. This occures during heavey rainfall events. Teatment systems can become overwhelmed and are unable to store the amoutn of water floing into the system. At this point, plants are designed to discharge wastewater directly into nearby waterways. As a result aach year over 10 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage flows into Lake Erie.It is important to remember that wastewater treatment plants have significantly reduced the amount of nutreints their systems discharge. Many plants in Ohio have reduced levels to a point that is nearing technological limits. Additionally, it is important to note that in order for many WWTP to further reduce their contribution by relatively small amounts would require a tremendous fiancialinvestement. Open Lake Disposal of Dredged MaterialOpen lake disposal is the process of digging up sedimentation from a navigational channel and then disposing of the sedimentation in the open lake. This practice is necessary to ensure that navigational channels remain open for shipping. Although the dredging – or digging up of sediment – is not a concern. The practice of disposing of the material in the open lake is. However, this has historically been the only option Currently, pursuant to the US Army Core of Engineers requirement to choose the lease expensive option. In ohio, ensuring that navegational channels remain open is citricially important. This is particularly true for the Toledo Navigational Port. The Port is in a vulnerable position. Located in the shallowest portion of Lake Erie, the Port must be dredged on an annual basis to maintain a clear navigational route. However, the Ohio EPA, since 1987, has stated that open-lake disposal lowers the water quality in Lake Erie and in 2008, the state tasked the OEPA with capping open-lake disposal of sediments in the western basin at 50,000 cubic yards (Ohio Lake Erie Commission, 2008). The Army Corps, however, recommends that 1.3 million cubic yards of sediment should be relocated each year to keep the channel open for shipping.Open lake disposal harms Lake Erie by providing additional food and protection to nuisance species, including Harmful Algal Blooms, changing the makeup of the lake bottom, smothering wildlife habitat, increasing sedimentation in the water, which lowers water quality and property values.____________________________________________________Environment America. (2007). “Sewage Overflow.” Available at: http://cdn.publicinterestnetwork.org/assets/E7Gu4-F8VzEy8QpeEHsVWQ/Ohio.Sewage- Overflow-Report.May2007.pdfNatural Resources Defense Council. (2006). “Rooftops to Rivers: Green strategies for controlling stormwater and combined sewer overflows.” Available at: http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp Natural Resources Defense Council. (2006). “Rooftops to Rivers: Green strategies for controlling stormwater and combined sewer overflows.” Available at: http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp
- #18 Agricultural Commercial Fertilizer & ManureIn February of this year the International Joint Commission (IJC) published the report “A Balanced Diet for Lake Erie: Reducing Phosphorus Loadings and Harmful Algal Blooms.” This report stated: “Agricultural operations are a major source of phosphorus loadings into Lake Erie. These loadings result primarily from fertilizer application and manure. The bulk of this input occurs during spring snowmelt and heavy rainstorms, when significant amounts of phosphorus can be transported by runoff water.” (IJC, 2014). Additionally, the IJC report notes that: “Agricultural non-point sources of phosphorus have increased significantly in the last 15 years, especially the fraction of TP that is bioavailable.” (IJC, 2014). In order to address the harmful algal bloom and hypoxic problems plaguing Lake Erie both the IJC and the Ohio Phosphorus Task Force made a number of recommendations. Among them both reports recommended reducing total phosphorus loads in the Maumee River (in the Spring) by 37% (from the 2007-2012 load) and reducing the annual amount of dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP) loads to Lake Erie by 78% (from the 2005-2011 average load). (IJC, 2014; Ohio Phosphorus Task Force, 2013) It is imperative that Ohio take action to address the impacts of manure application on Ohio’s water quality. Specifically, we must pass legislation banning the application of manure on frozen and snow covered ground. This is an important contributing factor to Ohio’s nutrient pollution problem and has been identified as such by both the Ohio Phosphorus Task Force – Phase II Final Report and the International Joint Commission’s Lake Erie Ecosystem Priority Report. The issue here is that when the ground is frozen or covered in snow, the manure, and the nutrients it contains, does absorb into the ground. Instead it pools on the surface. Then when the snow melts or a rain event occurs, the manure is quickly and easily transported off of the farm field and drained into nearby waterways. Maure contains significnat levels of nutrients and the types of nutrients that are more easily fuels the growth of toxic algae. Both the IJC Report and the Ohio Phosphorus Task Force report include this recommendation.