May 27, 2026

Ohio Environmental Council Releases 2026 Gubernatorial Policy Platform, Calling on Candidates to Make Ohio Cleaner, Safer, and More Affordable 

For Immediate Release: 

May 27, 2026

Contact: 

Karlena Wallace, Communications Director 

Media@theoec.org, or (614) 487-5837 

Ohio Environmental Council Releases 2026 Gubernatorial Policy Platform, Calling on Candidates to Make Ohio Cleaner, Safer, and More Affordable 

Columbus, OH – The Ohio Environmental Council today released Ohio Forward: An Environmental Road Map for Ohio’s Next Governor, a comprehensive environmental policy platform outlining priorities for the 2026 gubernatorial candidates.   

“Ohio’s next governor will lead at a critical time for the state. Rising utility bills, rapid data center growth, threatened public lands, and aging water systems are putting Ohio’s future at risk,” said Melanie Houston, Vice President of Programs at the OEC. “Despite these risks, the governor will have substantial opportunities to prove that a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand. Ohio Forward is a road map for making Ohio cleaner, safer, and more affordable.”  

Ohio Forward: An Environmental Road Map for Ohio’s Next Governor details policy recommendations that are highly achievable, impactful, and foundational for Ohio’s future. Developed by Ohio Environmental Council’s experts in energy, water, and conservation policy, the platform spans the breadth of environmental issues Ohio’s next governor will need to face related to energy, data centers, land, and water. The policy platform was created to help the next governor and their administration understand both the specific policy tools available and how the solutions are interconnected.  

While the platform includes detailed recommendations, OEC’s experts identified the top priority policy items for the next governor. They are:  

• Make Energy More Affordable, More Reliable, and More Sustainable  
  • Reform Ohio’s energy siting regulatory environment to promote a level playing field that allows renewable energy to compete and more energy to come online, driving down costs. 
  • Make the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) work for Ohioans by appointing a chair committed to affordable, clean energy and consumer protection. 

• Regulate Ohio’s Data Center Boom to Protect Communities  
  • Require data centers to pay for their energy demand and the infrastructure upgrades required to power these facilities, encouraging the use of renewable energy.  
  • Require data centers to publicly disclose water usage (source and quantity), regulate wastewater discharge, and commit to investing in water infrastructure. 

• Conserve Ohio’s Public Lands and Natural Spaces  
  • End oil and gas extraction in state parks and nature reserves, preserving these spaces for recreation, natural habitats, and the enjoyment of all Ohioans.
  • Make Ohio a leader in wilderness preservation by increasing Ohio’s public lands by 25,000 acres. 

• Protect Ohio’s Greatest Natural Resource: Clean Water 
  • Establish a long-term, reliable funding mechanism for H2Ohio to ensure that investments in Ohio’s clean water continue to protect Lake Erie, support farmers, upgrade drinking water infrastructure, and expand Ohio’s natural wetlands. 
  • Commit to replacing Ohio’s lead service lines to protect Ohioans from lead contamination. 

Recent polling data from the OEC shows there is more political common ground on environmental policy than the current debate reflects. Ohio’s next governor will have broad bipartisan support for common-sense environmental policies.  

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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement.