ohio
Credit: Steve Buissinne/Pixabay
Ohio town bought and bulldozed by coal plant remains a desolate ghost town
Cheshire, Ohio, was wiped off the map in 2002 after a coal plant bought the entire town to relocate residents amid toxic pollution, and today, its empty streets remain overshadowed by the looming plant.
In short:
- The Gavin coal plant, now owned by Blackstone, displaced the entire town of Cheshire, Ohio, due to severe pollution, leaving it a ghost town.
- Gavin remains one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide in the U.S., and its political ties to Trump raise questions about future environmental regulations.
- Residents recall the traumatic experience of being forced to leave their homes due to toxic emissions from the plant, which continues to operate.
Key quote:
“There is a trend of private equity walking away from polluting assets without being liable for the environmental cleanup. They want to squeeze as much profit as possible while they can from this outdated, dangerous coal plant.”
— Alissa Jean Schafer, climate director of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
Why this matters:
Gavin remains a major source of pollution, contributing to climate change and local environmental harm. This case raises concerns about private equity ownership of coal plants and the political influence protecting outdated energy sources over public health.
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Fossil fuel ties exposed in Ohio solar opposition group
Testimony has revealed that an anti-solar group in Ohio, claiming to be grassroots, is heavily funded by a prominent figure in the natural gas industry.
In short:
- Jared Yost, leader of Knox Smart Development, admitted a major donor is linked to the natural gas industry.
- The group's funding contradicts its claims of being a local grassroots organization opposing solar energy projects.
- The case highlights how misinformation can be spread under the guise of community activism to oppose renewable energy.
Key quote:
“No one has ever tried to direct me in any way with my opposition to this project. I am nobody’s ‘puppet’.”
— Jared Yost, leader of Knox Smart Development
Why this matters:
The fossil fuel industry's covert funding of local opposition groups can mislead communities and hinder the adoption of renewable energy, posing challenges for the clean energy transition critical to addressing climate change.
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Credit: Ant Rozetsky/Unsplash
Biden's funding helps modernize steel plant tied to JD Vance's family
The Biden administration's $500 million grant to upgrade a steel plant in JD Vance's hometown aims to reduce pollution but faces skepticism among locals.
In short:
- The grant will help the Cleveland-Cliffs plant in Middletown, Ohio, transition from coal to cleaner hydrogen and natural gas.
- Despite the investment, many residents are unaware of the grant or attribute it to figures like JD Vance or Trump.
- The plant's future is uncertain if Trump and Vance, who oppose Biden's climate policies, win in 2024.
Key quote:
“I haven’t heard anything about Trump continuing this project. I was thinking he’d probably cancel this project.”
— Gary Combs, a former Armco worker
Why this matters:
Transforming one of the dirtiest steel plants into one of the cleanest could serve as a model for the nation's industrial future, but political divisions may undermine these efforts.
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Ohio groups plan to sustain clean energy efforts amid political shifts
Ohio advocates are intensifying their clean energy initiatives as the Republican party and Project 2025 aim to promote fossil fuels and reduce federal climate programs if Trump wins the 2024 election.
In short:
- Ohio local governments and groups have received millions in federal funding for clean energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- The GOP’s Project 2025 could repeal these laws, threatening further funding and weakening environmental protections.
- Advocates are securing funding quickly to ensure ongoing projects and build goodwill that may protect future initiatives.
Key quote:
“We are taking a proactive approach to reach out to funders to secure funding to continue the work and advocacy for energy, climate and environmental justice.”
— SeMia Bray, co-leader for Black Environmental Leaders
Why this matters:
Federal funding has been crucial for Ohio’s clean energy progress, enabling significant projects that reduce emissions. A potential rollback of these programs could jeopardize environmental and community health gains.
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Renewable energy faces significant hurdles in Ohio
Renewable energy projects in Ohio face fierce opposition from fossil fuel-backed groups, despite incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act designed to boost solar and wind development across the nation.
In short:
- The Inflation Reduction Act provides substantial tax credits and incentives that have made renewables as affordable as fossil-fuel energy sources. However, developers in Republican-run Ohio remain skeptical about overcoming local regulatory and political obstacles.
- Ohio's 2021 Senate Bill 52 allows local governments to veto solar and wind projects, but not fossil fuel facilities, creating an uneven playing field, green-energy advocates say. The bill is just one example of the organized efforts that have passed 400 local restrictions against wind, solar and other projects in 41 states, according to a 2024 report by Columbia Law School.
- Fossil fuel-backed groups in Ohio are spreading misinformation and lobbying against renewable energy projects, significantly slowing down development.
Key quote:
“Ohio is probably one of the most biased states in terms of its treatment of renewables as this catastrophic thing that needs to be limited and banned.”
— Dave Anderson, policy and communications manager for the Energy and Policy Institute.
Why this matters:
Renewable energy is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. However, opposition and regulatory hurdles in key states like Ohio threaten the pace and effectiveness of this transition, emphasizing the ongoing battle between clean energy and fossil fuel interests.
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Credit: Jared Evans/Unsplash
Ohio enforces stricter measures on oil and gas drilling rights on private properties
Ohio sees a surge in forced land use for oil and gas extraction despite property owners' resistance.
In short:
- Ohio has increased the number of unitization orders, allowing oil and gas companies to drill on private lands without full owner consent.
- The state law mandates 65% owner agreement before companies can proceed, yet recent changes have eased this process significantly.
- Critics argue these legal adjustments favor the petroleum industry overwhelmingly, sidelining landowner rights and environmental concerns.
Key quote:
"All the cards are stacked against us."
— Patrick Hunkler, affected landowner
Why this matters:
The increasing frequency of these orders raises concerns about the balance of industry benefits against individual property rights and environmental impacts. This controversial approach has raised significant environmental and health concerns among residents. Many fear that the intrusion of drilling operations could lead to water contamination, air pollution, and other risks associated with fracking and traditional drilling methods. These apprehensions are compounded by reports from other regions that experienced similar expansions in drilling activity, where increases in health issues like respiratory problems and waterborne diseases were observed.
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Credit: J. G. Domke/Big Stock Photo
Environmental groups challenge accelerated fracking plans in Ohio state parks
The Ohio Environmental Council and Earthjustice filed a motion to delay a meeting that could fast-track fracking in Salt Fork State Park and other Ohio state lands.
In short:
- The motion is part of a lawsuit to prevent oil and gas development on state lands.
- The groups argue that the state is bypassing legal processes and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
- This is one of several legal efforts to protect Ohio's state parks from fossil fuel extraction.
Key quote:
"The state absolutely should not be leasing any of its state lands for oil and gas development."
— Chris Tavenor, lawyer for the Ohio Environmental Council.
Why this matters:
The push for fracking on state lands raises significant environmental concerns, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and the potential degradation of public natural resources, at a time when environmental conservation is crucial.
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