Ohio Chapter

NEWS RELEASE

Senate Vote Expected Today on Senate Bill 105

COLUMBUS - Pending legislation in the Ohio Senate will let polluters off the hook for penalties when they violate environmental laws. Senate Bill 105, sponsored by Senator Jay Hottinger (R-Newark), would set a 5-year statue of limitations for environmental violations in Ohio. The bill is scheduled for a Senate vote today, Wednesday, November 14.

The Sierra Club opposes Senate Bill 105. The bill is vague as to when time begins to toll. The clock can start to tick when Ohio EPA "knows of the facts," not necessarily when the agency concludes that a violation occurred. Second, the bill limits the ability of local governments to bring nuisance actions when Ohio EPA fails to do its job. Finally, the bill encourages polluters to hide violations in order to run out the clock.

"This bill is written by and for polluters, not the people of Ohio," says Marc Conte, Legislative Coordinator for the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club. "Will Ohio Senators do the bidding of polluters?," asks Conte.

The vote comes on the heels of a US EPA hearing on the environmental enforcement shortcomings of the Ohio EPA. More than 100 citizens appeared at a public hearing yesterday to explain why the US EPA should take over Ohio's environmental programs. Rather than address these problems at Ohio EPA, Senate Bill 105 merely gives an out for polluters. The bill does not force Ohio EPA to act more quickly.

"We need better environmental enforcement in this state. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 105 moves Ohio in the opposite direction," adds Conte.

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