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Ohio is experiencing an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation, flooding, heat, and drought, with natural disaster costs reaching $2 to $5 billion in the first half of 2026. These hazards are compounded by aging infrastructure, including high-hazard dams and levees, and a legacy of industrial pollution from Superfund sites. The state's energy grid is under strain from extreme heat and surging demand from over 200 data centers, while state policy continues to favor fossil fuels and obstruct renewable energy development. Key military assets, such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, face significant flood and wildfire risks. While Ohio lacks a comprehensive statewide climate governance framework, some progress has been made through municipal adaptation plans and significant support from federal agencies like NOAA, FEMA, and the EPA.

The document outlines the RISE model, where tax-exempt organizations act as solar owners to install systems for LMI households at low or no upfront cost, utilizing the IRS 'direct pay' mechanism to claim the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (ITC). It details an eight-step implementation process: determining project type and team, identifying ownership structures (such as green banks or CDFIs), planning capital stacks, selecting installers, conducting community engagement, constructing projects, claiming tax credits, and managing ongoing operations. The guide emphasizes the importance of trusted community messengers and provides strategies for adapting to potential policy changes regarding federal incentives.

The document argues that tax-exempt entities—such as CDFIs, green banks, and cooperatives—can overcome financial barriers to low-income solar adoption by becoming third-party owners. This model utilizes the IRA's 'direct pay' mechanism, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) capital, and bonus tax credits to reduce costs for LMI households, who often lack the tax liability to benefit from traditional residential credits.

The Episcopal Southern Ohio Diocese established the Energy Efficiency Grant and Loan Program in July 2021 to fund energy-saving retrofits in its congregations. The program requires participants to conduct ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits and develop reduction plans to qualify for grants of up to $10,000 or low-interest loans of up to $10,000. By June 2023, the program awarded $533,047 through 56 grants and disbursed $121,207 in loans. Case studies of churches in Athens, Circleville, and Washington Court House demonstrate the adoption of LED lighting, high-efficiency furnaces, and ductless mini-split heat pumps to lower carbon emissions and operational costs. The document also notes that the Inflation Reduction Act's "direct pay" incentives may now encourage these nonprofits to pursue solar installations after first improving building efficiency.

The Great Lakes region is positioned for an industrial renaissance in clean energy, having seen over $40 billion in new investments since 2021. However, the report argues that the region faces significant constraints, including slow population growth, a migration of manufacturing to the US South, and uneven clean electricity deployment. To overcome these, RMI suggests that states prioritize industries where they have existing 'economic complexity' and related capabilities, such as EV batteries and low-carbon steel. The report highlights the importance of coordinating across state lines to share legislative best practices—such as the creation of green banks and competitiveness funds—and recommends a regional investment attraction strategy to draw foreign direct investment. It specifically praises Illinois and Minnesota as leaders in environmental justice and workforce development frameworks.

The document describes a six-step process to calculate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) index for U.S. cities by overlaying city boundaries, census tracts, and Land Cover Zone (LCZ) maps. The methodology involves calculating the percentage of various LCZ types within each tract and applying temperature parameters based on impervious cover, permeable surfaces, building height, albedo, and population density. City-wide values are then determined by summing the population in census tracts that exceed specific UHII temperature thresholds.

RMI outlines how inclusive Solarize campaigns—community bulk-purchasing programs—can help low- and moderate-income (LMI) households overcome financial and outreach barriers to solar adoption. Drawing on support provided to over 20 US local governments in 2021 and 2022, the briefing highlights the importance of partnering with community-based organizations, securing dedicated LMI funding, and using trusted messengers to ensure equitable access to residential solar.

The Food Waste Warriors project analyzed plate waste in 46 US schools, finding that students waste an average of 39.2 pounds of food and 28.7 cartons of milk per year. The study highlights the significant environmental and financial costs of this waste, estimating a national impact of 530,000 tons of food waste and 45 million gallons of milk waste annually. Results indicate that simple interventions and awareness can reduce waste, with elementary schools seeing a 14.5% reduction. The report recommends policy reforms to National School Lunch Program (NSLP) portion sizes and the adoption of bulk milk dispensers to mitigate these losses.

Federal fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards have saved Ohio $1.2 billion to date and are projected to make the average Ohio household $2,200 richer by 2030. These standards are expected to create 29,700 new jobs in the state and eliminate global warming emissions nearly equivalent to those from providing electricity to Columbus.

The document details how oil and gas emissions, including ozone smog from across the central and western US and local toxic pollutants, cause significant health issues in Ohio. It highlights that nearly 30,000 children in Ohio suffer annual asthma attacks due to industry-linked ozone, with high concentrations in the Cleveland-Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati areas. Additionally, it notes that over 160 tons of hazardous toxic air pollutants were emitted from more than 90,000 sites in Ohio in 2011, and over 2,500 schools are located within a half-mile of these operations.

The report documents that commuters in cars, buses, trains, and ferries are routinely exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust, with ultrafine particles (UFPs) serving as the most sensitive marker of fresh diesel emissions. Findings indicate that diesel soot dominates roadway particulate matter and that in-vehicle exposures are significantly higher than ambient outdoor air, particularly in 'pull' trains and highway tunnels. The study concludes that diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are highly effective at eliminating the soot plume behind vehicles, significantly improving air quality for following commuters and pedestrians.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) conducted monitoring in Austin, Boston, New York City, and Columbus to assess diesel exhaust exposure during commutes. The study found that commuters in cars, buses, and trains are exposed to diesel particle levels significantly higher than ambient outdoor air, with the highest concentrations occurring in the presence of heavy truck traffic or when trains are pulled by locomotives. The report highlights that while commuting accounts for only about 6% of a person's day, it may contribute over half of their daily exposure to ultrafine particles. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends retrofitting existing diesel engines with diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which can reduce particle emissions by up to 90%.

The report finds that while 70% of Columbus residents believe global warming is happening and many are worried about it, there is significant uncertainty regarding scientific consensus and personal experience with its effects. A majority support clean energy transitions and believe the U.S. should reduce emissions regardless of other countries' actions, though they remain skeptical about humanity's collective will to successfully reduce global warming.