COLUMBUS, Ohio – Manufacturing leaders, regulators and environmental experts met Thursday in Columbus for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s Environmental Summit, held in partnership with the Ohio Environmental Service Industries, to examine policies and technologies driving environmental progress across the state.
Anne Vogel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 administrator and former Ohio EPA director, headlined the event, outlining the agency’s priorities under the theme “Powering the Great American Comeback.” Vogel said the EPA aims to strengthen environmental protection while promoting economic growth. Her remarks highlighted five focus areas: restoring U.S. energy dominance, streamlining permitting, advancing artificial intelligence leadership, revitalizing American auto manufacturing and reinforcing federal-state cooperation.
As part of her comments on restoring American energy dominance, Vogel emphasized the importance of lowering energy costs and reducing dependence on foreign adversaries.
“Pursuing energy independence and energy dominance will cut energy costs for everyday Americans who are simply trying to heat their homes and put gas in their cars,” she said. “This will also allow our nation to stop relying on energy sources from adversaries, while lowering costs for hardworking middle-income families, farmers and small business owners.”
Vogel said state and federal collaboration is critical to investment and job growth. She cited Ohio projects including cleanup and redevelopment at the Perfect Products site in Malvern, the Cuyahoga Gorge Dam in Akron and the Great Stone Viaduct brownfield in Bellaire as proof that environmental restoration and economic revitalization can move forward together.
“When I was at Ohio EPA, I had white boards filled with things I thought were wrong with Region 5,” Vogel said. “I haven’t forgotten that list.”
OMA President Ryan Augsburger said manufacturers are proving that environmental stewardship and economic strength go hand in hand.
“Ohio manufacturers are proving that clean growth is real growth,” Augsburger said. “Collaboration and common-sense policy are helping our industry build a stronger, more sustainable future.”
Ohio EPA Director John Logue and agency division chiefs also briefed attendees on updates to air, water and waste programs, highlighting new efforts to support compliance, innovation and sustainability in manufacturing operations.
“We certainly have enforcement responsibilities [at the Ohio EPA]. We have those mechanisms to do it, and we will use those enforcement mechanisms and tools if we have to,” Logue said. “It is not something we are seeking to do. I very much want to work with the folks we are regulating. If there is a problem, how can we work together to fix it?”
Established in 1998, OESI represents Ohio’s hazardous materials facilities and professionals, working with agencies like the Ohio EPA to promote safe, sustainable practices and effective regulation across the industry.
“We’ve built a strong, trusted partnership with the Ohio EPA, and we’re ready to bring that same level of collaboration to their federal counterparts,” said Jeff Hunyor, OESI president. “Events like today’s summit help make that happen by connecting regulators and industry to advance compliance, spark innovation and deliver real environmental results.”