Federal Investment in Clean Energy for Ohio

Ohioans are beginning to see the positive impacts of recent federal investments in our state’s economy. These investments are thanks to legislation that was aimed at building up our nation’s infrastructure and combating inflation. They are not only making our state more energy-independent but also slashing electric bills, curbing harmful pollution, and fostering job growth right here in Ohio.

These new clean energy projects, which are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), have already produced $8.8 billion in investment in Ohio and created or advanced more than 8,600 jobs. Many of those jobs are centered in the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector.

Electric Vehicles Charging Ohio’s Economy

Take for instance the announcement from Honda and LG Energy Solutions that they would invest $4.4 billion in an EV battery plant project in Fayette County. This is only the beginning of federal investments headed to Ohio for EV manufacturing. EdgeEnergy, an EV charger power converter manufacturer in Cincinnati, has also announced a $150 million investment to expand its manufacturing operation.

And with a $75 million investment from the IIJA, Cirba Solutions in Lancaster will open a lithium-ion battery recycling plant that will bring more than 150 permanent jobs to the Central Ohio area. The work done at the 75,000-square-foot facility will help create a circular economy for EVs by collecting and processing manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries.

Once fully operational, Cirba Solutions projects it will process enough premium battery-grade critical minerals to power more than 200,000 EV batteries annually. Ground-breaking for the facility was held in August 2023 and it is expected to be open by early 2025.

Building Ohio’s Workforce

The Ohio workforce is ready for these emerging clean industries and jobs, with better standards brought about by rules associated with federal investments. Companies receiving these federal awards will provide job training opportunities and competitive wages, transforming how we work in Ohio and bringing renewed hope to communities and young adults across the country.

These clean energy investments will also help ensure young Ohioans have opportunities to stay in our state. There is a 15 percent enrollment decline expected for four-year universities in Ohio due to factors like the economy and the lack of future opportunities for growth and financial stability. Investments from the federal climate and clean energy packages can provide these opportunities and give Ohio students the vision they need to raise their families in the Buckeye State.

Amenities such as beaches, parks, and nature preserves are also important in giving young adults a reason to stay in Ohio. You don’t have to be a scientist to see how pollution has already impacted our air and water. Everyone has experienced a prolonged and unusual heat wave in recent years, and who can forget the ominous haze of wildfire smoke that covered areas of Ohio last year?

This was the warmest winter for the City of Cleveland since local records were first kept at Hopkins International Airport in the winter of 1938-39. Later is too late. Now is the time to truly address dangerous pollution and the overheating of our planet by building the solutions we need. These federal investments are doing just that.

This is the Moment

This is a rare moment in history. We can empower local governments, manufacturing companies, renewable energy generators, and others to put these federal investments to work, changing things for the better. We can attract new clean businesses, like EV manufacturing and battery recycling, creating healthier and more resilient communities where future generations can stay and grow. The time is now.

Tom Butch has spent decades working on conservation in Ohio. A career Mineral Resources Inspector at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Tom is now retired but still engages with various conservation groups, including the Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center and the Wild and Scenic Little Beaver Creek. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of Columbiana County Park District Board of Commissioners and the President of the Ohio Scenic Rivers Association, the Ohio Conservation Federation, and the Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs.