Ohio

June 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement in response to General Motors’ bankruptcy filing today:

“This is a challenging time for Ohio auto communities and for manufacturers across the state. My thoughts are with GM workers, their families, and the thousands of other Ohio workers whose livelihoods are tied to those of GM.

“A bankruptcy filing by General Motors will test our nation’s resolve in rebuilding our manufacturing base. GM is a crucial part of our nation’s economy. As we work to help GM through bankruptcy, we must also work to rebuild a thriving domestic manufacturing industry.    » read more »

Senator Announces "Rubbish to Renewables Act," Legislation That Would Promote Use of Municipal Solid Waste as Clean Energy Source

May 28, 2009 -- COLUMBUS, OH— Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today visited the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). At SWACO, Brown announced new legislation that would expand the use of municipal solid waste as a source of clean energy.

“One man’s trash can be another man’s source of clean energy,” Brown said. “SWACO is leading our nation by converting landfill waste into a productive use. My bill would allow municipal waste systems across the country to follow SWACO’s lead. With the right investments, we can develop new clean energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new jobs and economic activity.”    » read more »

New Legislation Would Increase Demand for Cars and Auto Parts

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) to introduce the Drive America Forward Act (S. 1135). Brown is an original cosponsor of this legislation that would create jobs and increase demand for cars and auto parts by providing consumers with a voucher worth up to $4,500 for the purchase or lease of a more fuel-efficient vehicle.    » read more »

After Joint Call, Brown Encouraged by Auto Heads' Announcement in Dayton

May 21, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today, applauded the announcement by Dr. Ed Montgomery, President Obama’s Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers in Dayton this afternoon. Montgomery pledged to invest $50 million in funds for worker retraining, clean energy, and energy efficiency programs to rebuild the auto industry.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week approved legislation Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and George Voinovich (R-OH) authored to authorize $1.8 billion in federal grants to help modernize antiquated sewer systems.

These sewers frequently overflow directly into rivers, lakes, streams and coastal waters during wet weather events, threatening water quality and public health and undermining local economies. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are also co-sponsors of the bill. The language was incorporated into the Water Infrastructure Financing Act (S.1005).    » read more »

Senator Joins Auto Workers, Labor and Community Leaders to Discuss Federal Assistance to Support Future of Plant, Mansfield Region

May 18, 2009 -- MANSFIELD, OH – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined auto workers, labor officials, and community leaders to discuss the future of the General Motors stamping plant in Mansfield.

“It’s critical that we keep GM activity in Mansfield,” Brown said. “Workers at the Mansfield Stamping Plant are among our country’s most productive. The Mansfield Stamping Plan can be an important part of GM’s re-growth and future success.”    » read more »

Brown Also Writes to CEOs of GM, Chrysler Asking for Economic Rationale of Dealership Closings

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) last week wrote to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner regarding reports that General Motors may begin to export vehicles from China to the U.S. in 2011. Brown asked Geithner to require GM to produce subcompact cars in the U.S. if it receives further government assistance.    » read more »

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed an executive order on April 8 that maintains the state’s commitment to minority business success in Ohio by establishing the Ohio Minority Business Advisory Council, which will coordinate the state’s efforts to maximize the opportunities and growth of minority businesses. The Governor held a ceremonial signing event today with Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development Mark Barbash and members of the minority business community.    » read more »

Phase I of proposed projects would link Chicago, St. Louis

April 14, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and the governors of seven other Midwestern states have joined in support of high-speed passenger rail projects to link cities in their region, with Chicago as the hub. The governors, along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to support plans that have been in place for several years for key rail corridors between cities in their states, including St. Louis to Chicago.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that airports around the country will receive $258 million under the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” said Secretary LaHood.    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced that 149 transportation infrastructure projects have been prioritized for full or partial funding from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources.    » read more »

National Group’s Study Shows Ohio Can Create More Than 32,000 New Jobs, Save Over $19 Billion, and Reduce Energy Demand Over The Next 15 Years

March 25, 2009 -- COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio could save over $19 billion by using energy efficiency strategies that are available right now, says a study released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), an independent, Washington, D.C. nonprofit research group. Ohio could also create more than 32,000 net new jobs by 2025, including well-paying trade and professional jobs needed to design, install, and operate energy efficiency measures.    » read more »

March 16, 2009 -- Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Governor’s Office announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has revised the deadline for state departments of transportation to submit a list of priority transportation projects to March 31, 2009.

The previously announced guidance (February 2009) had required state departments of transportation to submit data to the federal government on projects to be funded completely or partially with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds by March 17, 2009.

The revised guidance, issued Friday, has moved the date for priority project submittal to March 31, 2009.    » read more »

New Analysis Ranks "Filthy 15" States by Coal Ash Produced by Proposed Plants

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2009) -- Proposed coal plants across the United States would produce nearly 18 million tons of dangerous waste, including toxic metals, each year. Nearly 130 million tons of coal waste from existing plants is being produced annually, most of which is disposed of in largely unregulated landfills, ponds and other locations, posing serious public health and environmental risks.

According to a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the 15 states that would be the biggest polluters -- the “Filthy 15” -- have proposals for 54 coal plants and would create nearly 14 million tons of dangerous waste.    » read more »

Columbus,OH--The Ohio Governor’s Office today announced an update to the federal stimulus disbursement process for drinking water and water pollution control infrastructure stimulus projects provided to the state through existing revolving loan funding formulas.

Ohio EPA currently estimates distribution of drinking water and water pollution control stimulus project funds will total approximately $276.5 million. Currently, Ohio EPA has received project funding requests for approximately $4 billion through Recovery.ohio.gov.    » read more »