Five things to know for Thursday, Dec. 18
EPA denies measure to ease auto emissions-testing program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region is opposing the E-Check Ease Act, which would have allowed residents in seven Northeast Ohio counties to submit an “attestation form” instead of a physical E-Check inspection. State Rep. Bill Roemer wants President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to overturn the decision.
“This decision is a setback for hardworking Ohio families,” Roemer, R-Richfield, said in a statement. “The attestation option offered a practical, safe alternative that would save people both time and money. Instead, Region 5 chose to maintain an outdated process that, frankly, continues to burden families with unnecessary requirements.”
Data centers could release cooling water into Ohio waterways. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is assessing whether to allow new data centers that do not have access to central sewer systems to discharge water used to cool servers directly into lakes, rivers, and streams, The Columbus Dispatch reported. According to the report, the agency has received 2,000 comments about the proposal.
Emerson poll shows tight Senate race. A recent Emerson College Polling survey of Ohio voters found that nearly half, or 49%, support incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican, while 46% support his Democratic challenger, former Sen. Sherrod Brown, in next year’s U.S. Senate election. An additional 5% are undecided.
State doles out for historic preservation. Ohio officials are doling out state support for dozens of historic preservation projects through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. Officials said 33 projects will receive more than $75 million in tax credits to preserve 45 buildings across the state.
Whitehall council member stays in post despite charges. Whitehall City Councilmember Gerald Dixon will stay in office even as he faces felony charges of gross sexual imposition and compelling prostitution charges, allegations that date to 1996, 10TV reported. Five Whitehall City Council members voted this week to oust Dixon, one shy of the six needed for unanimous agreement.
