Ohio EPA Invites Comments on Education Grant Funding Priorities

The Ohio Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) invites public comments on the 2027 Annual Agenda of the Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF), which sets spending priorities for the coming year. OEEF supports innovative projects that increase public awareness and knowledge of environmental issues and equip people with the skills to make informed decisions and take responsible actions. Funding priorities for the 2027 state fiscal year include:

• Encouraging habitat and ecological restoration efforts;
• Reducing emissions to improve air quality, including through energy conservation and alternative energy sources;
• Reducing lead exposure in drinking water;
• Reducing exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals;"
• Encouraging planning and emergency preparedness for extreme environmental events (environmental releases, extreme weather, etc.);
• Using innovative practices to improve water quality, reduce nutrient loading and prevent harmful algal blooms;
• Connections between the environment and human health, including but not limited to, air quality and respiratory conditions, tick prevalence and Lyme disease, scrap tires and mosquitoes; and
• Encouraging Ohio students to explore environmental-related careers.

Comments on the 2027 Annual Agenda may be submitted electronically to the SmartComment Portal, by mail, or in person at a public hearing on March 24, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at Ohio EPA's Columbus headquarters. Please select this link to register to attend the public hearing virtually. The official record will include comments received by 5 p.m. on March 27.