2013: Year in Review

Introduced the SAFER GAS Act (Safeguarding Appalachian Families with Environmental Regulation of Gas And Shale) calling for:stronger safeguards against air and water pollution from oil and

gas drilling; stepped up enforcement and

transparency by the Ohio DNR and Ohio EPA;

greater industry and government accountability, including permit appeal rights for affected citizens; and

stronger consumer protections for landowners who lease their land for drilling.

Horizontal Fracking

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Fended off another attempt by lawmakers and utilities such as FirstEnergy to repeal Ohio’s energy efficiency standard, which is reducing harmful air pollution, saving wasted energy, growing new cleanenergy jobs, and saving consumers money.

Wetlands

Worked for nearly a year with partners and community groups to find a common-ground solution that would meet all parties' interests to save the Sawmill Wetlands Education Areas, nearly 18 acres ofrare, forested, urbanwetlands in Central Ohio.

Forests

Helped convince the Ohio Department of Forestry NOT to drop the special designation of the Shawnee Backcountry Area, which would have reopened forest roads and start intensive logging in 8,000 acres of unbroken state forest land.

Farmland, Rivers & Open Space

Secured $52 million in funding for the Clean Ohio Fund which works to develop recreational trails and preserve family farmland, river corridors, and open space.

This appropriation maxes out the $400 million bond that Ohio voters gave the state permission to borrow.

Lake Erie & Ohio River Basin Protection

Working with citizens, scientists, agency officials, and lawmakers to clean up our waterways, eliminate the nutrient pollution fueling the growth of toxic algae, and stop the spread of dangerous non-native species.

Ohio Environmental Law Center

Celebrated 10 years of Ohio’s only environmental public interest law firm, which provided legal analysis, legal education, and legal advocacy to protect and conserve Ohio’s human and natural resources.

New Interactive Website

Launched a new, more interactive website that provides timely updates on OEC’s legislative and policy work, easy ways for visitors to take action, and the latest news on issues important to Ohioans.

Outstanding Fiscal Responsibility

The OEC has a proven track record of success.

For the 6th year in a row, Charity Navigator has awarded the OEC a 4-star rating – its highest rating – putting the OEC in the top 5% of all U.S. charities for fiscal management.

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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.

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