• Trump and Musk are attempting an illegal power grab is a crisis we must stop

• Trump, Musk and congressional Republicans are gutting services, raising prices, and racing towards slashing Medicaid, Social Security, and more

• Trump, Musk, and congressional Republicans are on this path of destruction for the benefit of their billionaire allies

Right now, all Ohioans are paying more on their electric bills each month to bail out two old, uneconomic, dirty coal plants -- one of which isn't even in Ohio! But, there’s new hope to end this bailout forever and with your action, we can make that hope a reality.

When Ohio legislators passed the historically corrupt House Bill 6 (HB6) in 2019, they forced all Ohioans to pay more on their electric bills to bail out the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation's (OVEC) two dirty, inefficient, and outdated coal plants; the Kyger Creek plant in Ohio and the Clifty Creek plant in Indiana. These plants are major contributors to air pollution in and around Ohio, and are costing Ohioans $233,000 a day.

This bailout has never been popular and serves no benefit to Ohioans. Sierra Club members and supporters have fought for years to get this corrupt, expensive, dirty bailout repealed and finally, the legislature is taking action!

Contact your State Representative and State Senator; tell them it's time to end the OVEC coal plant bailout once and for all!

The Ohio House of Representatives and Senate have both introduced priority legislation -- House Bill 15 (HB15) and Senate Bill 2 (SB2) -- that include provisions to repeal the OVEC coal plant bailout and end it once and for all. Years of grassroots pressure and month after month costs to Ohioans have made it clear; there's no place for coal plant bailouts in Ohio and it's time to end it for the OVEC plants once and for all. 

Send a message to your legislators; let them know you support the OVEC coal plant bailout repeal that's part of HB15 and SB2!

We must make sure Ohio State Legislators stand strong against utility industry efforts to continue to stick us with the check for their bad business decisions with the OVEC plants. Already the utilities are at work lobbying to keep the bailout in place making claims about possible future costs and fear mongering about grid reliability; claims that just don't hold up under scrutiny. 

Now is the time for action. Ohio State Legislators are on the path to doing the right thing and ending the OVEC coal plant bailout once and for all but that only happens if they hear from their constituents, know they have public support, and we are able to push back against big utility lobbying. 

Send your message, make your voice heard, help end the OVEC coal plant bailout TODAY!

Sincerely,

Neil Waggoner
Midwest Beyond Coal Campaign Manager
Sierra Club

Celebrate Earth Month:
Embrace the Earth with Action and
Awareness!

As we celebrate Earth Month this April, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on our planet's beauty and all the steps we can take to protect it. Whether you're an environmental advocate or someone just starting to think about sustainability, Earth Month is a time to connect with nature and engage in activities that make a difference.

Create Your Own Earth Month Tradition!

There are countless ways to celebrate Earth Month, and this year, we encourage you to create your own special way to participate! Whether it's starting a new recycling initiative in your community, planting trees in your yard, or simply going for a hike to appreciate the natural world, every action counts. Your involvement—big or small—can help make a lasting impact.

One way to create your own Earth Month tradition is by dedicating a day to learning about the environment. Watch documentaries, read books, or listen to podcasts that raise awareness about climate change, conservation, and environmental justice. Share what you learn with friends and family to inspire them to take action as well.

Celebrate with These Exciting Local Activities:

If you’re looking to get out and about, we’ve got some great events happening across Ohio that offer opportunities to learn, engage, and make a positive difference.

• Portage Trail Group at Medina Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 26, 10 AM - 4 PM
Join us at the Medina Earth Day Festival at the Buffalo Creek Retreat, located at 8708 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, OH. This event will take place rain or shine, so come on down and visit our table, learn more about environmental issues, and connect with like-minded individuals. We’ll be near the Medina Raptor Center, where you can enjoy seeing live owls and hawks up close. It’s a great event for all ages, with lots of activities throughout the day!

• Miami Group Events:
Great Parks’ Protect Your Wild Celebration at Winton Woods
Saturday, April 19, 11 AM - 3 PM
This fun and educational event includes a lake cleanup from 11 AM to 1 PM, so you can roll up your sleeves and help clean up the environment. Join us at Winton Woods to celebrate the importance of protecting wildlife and natural spaces.

Spring Fest at Burnet Woods
Saturday, April 19, 12 PM - 4 PM
Head to Burnet Woods in Cincinnati for a festive celebration with family-friendly activities, local vendors, and opportunities to learn about the natural world around
you. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors while connecting with your community.

Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival at Summit Park
Saturday, April 26, 12 PM - 5 PM
Celebrate Earth Day with the Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival at Summit Park in Blue Ash. This event will feature our partners from the Past Plastic Cincinnati Coalition and Save Ohio Parks! It's a fantastic opportunity to learn about local environmental issues, connect with other eco-conscious individuals, and enjoy a fun, family-friendly day out.

• Northeast Ohio Sierra Club EarthFest 2025 at West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Saturday, May 10, 10 AM - 3 PM
This event in Cleveland will feature tabling and educational opportunities aimed at inspiring action for the environment. Learn more about environmental issues, meet like-minded people, and discover ways you can get involved in local initiatives. EarthFest 2025 is a great event to gather information and connect with the passionate environmental community in the Cleveland area.

Get Involved – Together, We Can Make a Difference!

As we continue to face environmental challenges, it’s crucial that we all get involved in whatever ways we can. Whether you’re attending a local event, volunteering, or simply making small changes in your own life, every action matters. Let’s use Earth Month to unite as a community and work together to protect our planet for future generations.

We hope to see you at one of these wonderful events around Ohio. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors, and let’s make Earth Month 2025 the best one yet!

Join the Movement!
Share your Earth Month activities with us on social media using the hashtag #EarthMonthOhio and let us know how you’re celebrating! Together, we can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Ohio.

Join Us in 2025: Volunteer Leader Positions are Open - Your Expertise is Needed!

As we embark on an exciting new year, Sierra Club Ohio is looking to fill several key volunteer leader positions to help guide our efforts in 2025 and beyond. With the incredible progress we've made and the growing opportunities before us, it’s more imperative than ever that we continue to build a strong and engaged leadership team.

This is where you come in. We need passionate individuals who can lend their expertise and time to fill these important roles. Our volunteers are the backbone of our Chapter, and their commitment makes all the difference in the work we do to protect Ohio’s environment.

We understand that volunteering requires a time commitment, and we greatly appreciate the dedication of those who step into these roles. Your expertise will not only strengthen our Chapter’s efforts but also inspire others to get involved and make a difference.

Here are several critical volunteer leader positions that need to be filled:

Finance

Treasurer for the Political Action Committee (PAC)

The Political Committee for the Ohio Chapter is working to elect candidates who support Sierra Club positions on key issues.  Fundraising for the Political Action Committee is an essential part of the Political Committees work.  A Treasurer for the Political Action Committee is needed to properly administrator financial activities of the PAC.  Key activities of the PAC Treasurer include filing reports with the Ohio Secretary of State, managing the checking account for the Political Committee PAC, and making an annual fiscal report to the Ohio Chapter Treasurer.  This work is important for increasing our impact to help elect candidates who will work to protect the planet.

Chapter Treasurer

Support Sierra Club Ohio's financial management systems, manage and oversee the integrity and accuracy of Ohio's financial management process and procedures. 
 

Chapter Assistant Treasurer

The primary role of Assistant Treasurer is to manage Sierra Club Ohio’s donation receipts and other mailed correspondence and to assist the Treasurer with affiliated Group communications, reports, and budget preparation.
 

Chapter Bookkeeper

The Bookkeeper is responsible for managing the Chapter's QuickBooks account, reconciling it with bank statements and National Sierra Club revenue reports, entering donations into the Sierra Club database, and updating donor records.
 

Communications Volunteer Committee

Sierra Club Ohio is making some big steps forward, and that means bigger communications. Have a talent for copy-writing, graphic design, social media, or other communications work? Put it to good use helping Sierra Club Ohio protect and preserve our state.

Sign up here or contact Chad Stephens at: chad.stephens@sierraclub.org

Conservation Committee

Join the revived Sierra Club Ohio Conservation Committee to lead impactful conservation projects, and drive positive environmental change.

• Sign up here to collaborate with fellow advocates and make a real difference in Ohio’s ecosystems.

By filling these leadership positions, you will have a direct impact on the future of Sierra Club Ohio. You will help support our programs, shape strategies, and work alongside an amazing group of people who are passionate about creating positive change.

If you are interested in any of the above positions or would like to learn more, please reach out to us via ericka.copeland@sierraclub.org

We are happy to answer any questions and provide additional information on the responsibilities and expectations for each role.

Let’s make 2025 our most impactful year yet, and we can’t do it without you. Thank you for your time, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our mission. Together, we’ll continue to build a brighter, more sustainable future for Ohio!

 

Ben Jealous Visits Ashland University to Advocate for Climate Action

On March 26th, Ashland University welcomed Sierra Club Executive Director, Ben Jealous, for a keynote address and Q&A session. Before the event, a $100-a-plate fundraiser dinner supported the Ashland Center for Nonviolence. During his speech, Jealous urged attendees to engage with environmental coalitions like the Sierra Club to tackle climate change and address the impacts of government policies. The evening also featured a VIP dinner interview with Dr. Patricia Saunders, Professor of Biology and Director of the Environmental Science Program, discussing Jealous' new book and views on climate change.

Attending the event were Dick Beck, Portage Trail Group Chair, Ericka Copeland, the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Director, Chad Stephens, Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Conservation Coordinator, along with a host of volunteers from the Portage Trail Group.

We’re incredibly excited to announce that we’ve recruited 20 new volunteers, primarily college students, who are eager to join the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter and roll up their sleeves to make a difference! Their enthusiasm and passion for environmental action are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing work they’ll contribute to our mission!
 

Portage Trail Group Fund-Raiser Notes

Thank you to everyone who joined our fundraising dinner on March 23, 2024 at Bath UCC’s fellowship hall. Special thanks to our members, donors, and corporate sponsors for supporting our auction and “C & C” sale. Huge appreciation to Neal Broida, his family, & friends for organizing the event! Around 60 attendees gathered to enjoy community and stand up for the planet. We proudly donated $3,000 to the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center to support outdoor learning for 10,000 students annually.

Community Partner Message - S.U.N.

Considering going solar? Now's the perfect time! The Switch Together programs in Columbus and Cuyahoga County make it easier than ever to switch to solar with confidence. In partnership with Solar United Neighbors, Switch Together offers expert guidance, connects you with trusted installers, and helps you take advantage of financial incentives like the 30% federal tax credit. With rising energy costs, solar can help reduce your bills and increase your energy independence. Learn more and sign up today at the link below.
 

Bill Update

Big win for clean energy! The Ohio House passed HB 15 (90-3), advancing Community Solar and repealing the OVEC coal bailout. This bill paves the way for 25,000 Ohioans to access lower-cost solar while ending subsidies for two aging coal plants—one out of state! With strong bipartisan support, HB 15 now heads toward integration with SB 2 in the Senate. This is a major step toward a cleaner, fairer energy future in Ohio!  -Mryia Williams, Ohio Program Director for Solar United Neighbors

Zone In Update: Contribute to the Future of S.R. 161/E. Dublin-Granville Road!

S.R. 161 in Northland is under consideration for an update on the Zone In map, and your input is essential to guide the development of this area.

Take a look at the proposal and provide your feedback to help shape the future of this important location.

Looking for a Great Opportunity to Upcycle This Season?

Know someone who could use a prom dress? Look no further! Cinderella’s Closet Boutique 2025, hosted by Fairy Goodmothers, is now open. It's the perfect chance to give gently used prom dresses a second life while helping someone in need fine the perfect gown for their big night. Get involved and make a difference this season!

Fairy Goodmothers, a Central Ohio nonprofit established in 2005, opens Cinderella’s Closet Boutique each spring to offer high school students the chance to find their perfect prom dress and accessories at absolutely no cost. With the help of a Personal Shopper, each student can select from a wide variety of dresses in sizes 0-36.

This year, the Boutique will be located at The Shops at Worthington Place, 7227 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43085 (West Entrance, next to Amano's Pizza).

The Boutique will be open on Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Sierra Club Ohio Chapter has a
New Address!

Effective immediately, please direct all correspondence, donations, and other mail to:

PO Box 37269
Cincinnati, OH 45222-0269

Please take a moment to update your address book to ensure that we stay connected and that your donations and messages reach us without delay. We’re grateful for your continued support as we join forces to safeguard Ohio’s environment!

Thank you for helping us keep our records up to date. We look forward to hearing from you soon!