September 14, 2026

Fair Courts Matter: Why Ohio’s Judiciary Shapes Our Environmental Future

What does it mean to have a “fair” court? 

In Ohio, it means having judges who apply the law impartially, follow the facts, and ensure that every person who comes before their bench has a dignified day in court. 

In the environmental context, fair courts are especially important because the issues at stake are often technically complex and consequential beyond an individual’s particular circumstances. Decisions about clean water, public lands, energy infrastructure, and utility rates can have ripple effects across the state, even if the case stemmed from one person’s litigation. 

Whether a court is reviewing a permit issued by a state agency, challenging a new law, or hearing an appeal involving a major industrial project, Ohioans deserve independent, thoughtful judges committed to the rule of law, rather than politics or special interests. Too often, environmental protections depend more on how laws are interpreted and applied by courts, not just how they’re written by legislators. A fair judicial system ensures that communities, businesses, government agencies, and advocates all operate under the same rules. For organizations like the OEC, fair courts help ensure that environmental disputes are decided on evidence, science, and law—not on who has the most resources or political influence. 

That’s why the Ohio Environmental Council proudly partners with the Ohio Fair Courts Alliance, which educates Ohioans about the important role courts play in our daily lives—and why we must maintain a judiciary that is fair, impartial, and accountable to the people of our state. This summer, the OEC and the Ohio Fair Courts Alliance launched a three-part educational webinar series titled Fair Courts & the Environment. The series explores the many ways courts influence environmental protection in Ohio. In June and July, we discussed the different types of environmental litigation, judicial philosophy, and their relationship to principles of fairness and impartiality. 

And most recently, in August, we explored how decisions by agencies such as the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio are directly reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court, whose justices are elected by voters statewide. We’re continuing these important conversations in a more specific context at our 2026 Ohio Public Interest Environmental Law Conference, occurring on September 25 at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. 

As communities confront new challenges regarding data centers involving energy demand, water use, and local decision-making, courts will inevitably play a central role in resolving disputes and interpreting the law. We hope you will join us as we continue exploring the legal and policy issues essential