Ohio EPA delays modifying air-pollution policy on odors
The Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS, OH - A stink in the air might not be harmful, but it still could be pollution.
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials said yesterday that they have shelved a proposal to redefine odor in a list of air-pollution problems it enforces. They made that decision after a call from Gov. Ted Strickland’s office.
"We agreed with the Strickland administration that we will hold off putting this rules package through in order to give the incoming (EPA) director an opportunity to review it first," said Linda Fee Oros, an Ohio EPA spokeswoman.
The proposal would have let foul odors from a business slide if they weren’t covered by the business’ air-pollution permits and didn’t harm people’s health or property.
Although state EPA leaders called it a minor change, environmental advocates said the agency was trying to weaken its powers to investigate and reduce one of the most basic types of air pollution.
Advocates who gathered to oppose the proposal at a public hearing Downtown yesterday praised Strickland’s decision.
"It’s very encouraging," said David Altman, an environmental lawyer from Cincinnati.
Altman and other advocates said the agency’s proposal would make its rules for enforcing air pollution weaker than state law.
The state’s legal definition for air pollution includes odors that threaten public welfare and the "comfortable enjoyment of life or property."
Under the EPA’s proposed rule, odors that do not contain or spring from a list of regulated pollutants would not be considered public nuisances.
Oros said the proposal is tabled until Strickland appoints a new Ohio EPA director. Strickland took his oath of office early yesterday and has yet to name the agency’s new leader.
The Ohio EPA is led by acting Director Laura Powell, an appointee of former Gov. Bob Taft.
Although advocates now are optimistic that the proposal won’t be enacted, many still testified at yesterday’s hearing.
Altman said it’s possible a new director would support the proposal if no one objected.
"Nobody wants to leave anything to chance," he said.
The crowd of 50 people at the hearing included many residents of Stark and Tuscarawas counties who have complained of odors from nearby Countywide landfill.
"The rules we have right now are protecting us," said one Countywide opponent, Richard Harvey.
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