MENU
SECTIONS
OTHER
CLASSIFIEDS
CONTACT US / FAQ
Advertisement
1
MORE

To the editor: Move EPA from Washington to Toledo

To the editor: Move EPA from Washington to Toledo

Recently in The Blade, local environmentalists expressed their optimism about the Trump-Vance Administration’s support for a clean and sustainable Lake Erie. Toledo should combine that optimism with ambition and pursue another of President Trump’s promises: to relocate executive branch agencies out of Washington. We should advocate for Trump to relocate the Environmental Protection Agency to Toledo.

De-centralizing the federal government is a sound idea with significant bipartisan support. The logic is fairly obvious: The concentration of power in Washington drives groupthink, disconnects D.C. regulators from the citizens and industries they oversee, and restricts the federal work force to a small subset of the population. By scattering our regulatory bureaucracy throughout the country, we can foster smarter policies that are more grounded in the diverse realities of the American public.

Submit a letter to the editor

Advertisement

The EPA is a crucial agency not only to our environment but to America’s long-term economic competitiveness. Its mandate is directly linked to issues like climate change, sustainable agriculture, water preservation, and energy and industrial policy. There is not a more fitting location for achieving its mission than here in the heart of the Great Lakes region.

Our area sits at the cross section of a number of EPA priorities. Northwest Ohio sits on the greatest freshwater reserve in the country, which must be protected amidst rising water scarcity and climate migration fueled by drought. We are home to considerable oil and gas interests, which are crucial to powering our country and must be stakeholders in any regulatory discussions. Agriculture matters to both our local economy and our culture immensely and is an industry subject to regulation by the EPA. And the auto industry is based up the road and supported by Toledo workers, who also deserve a say in how environmental policy affects their lives.

Admittedly, there are challenges to bringing a federal agency like the EPA to Toledo.

We have a strong environmental engineering program at UT but would need to position the university, as well as BGSU, to provide further support and manpower to the EPA. Our transportation infrastructure and airport would need significant upgrades, and the current work force may not meet the agency’s needs. These challenges are solvable.

Advertisement

Conventional thinking would suggest a larger Great Lakes city like Chicago, Milwaukee, or Cleveland. While these options would certainly be preferable to maintaining a Washington headquarters, they lack the underlying innovative approach of relocating the EPA in Toledo. Relocating federal agencies isn’t just about finding the easiest or most obvious location; it’s about maximizing impact. Toledo can demonstrate that smaller cities can play a critical role in shaping national policy while benefiting from the economic and cultural resurgence that comes with such a bold move. Our city offers a blank canvas for innovation and progress.

Relocating the EPA to Toledo would also align perfectly with the economic development goals of the region. The arrival of roughly 7,500 federal employees would inject new energy into the local economy. We can think of this as creating another University of Toledo worth of highly skilled workers.

Amid decades of population decline, the region is well-positioned to absorb this influx of high-paid professionals.

Yes, there are challenges for a move of this magnitude, but Toledo has shown this level of ambition before. Only a few years ago, we made a spirited bid for Amazon’s second headquarters. We are not shy about thinking outside the box, and now we have the political will in Washington to think “bigly” and strategically. Relocating the EPA to Toledo isn’t just a bold move; it’s a smart one. It starts with an idea, that will only become more realistic upon securing the buy-in of our local political leaders.

If national politicians see value in diversifying the geography and makeup of the federal work force, Toledo should think big and position itself to be a part of that conversation. This is how you drain the swamp in a nonpartisan way, and it’s time for the Glass City to think big and step into the spotlight.

Mr. Culling is president of Dezenhall Resources, a public relations firm in Washington.

First Published January 25, 2025, 5:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS  
Join the Conversation
We value your comments and civil discourse. Click here to review our Commenting Guidelines.
Must Read
Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
Pittsburgh skyline silhouette
TOP
Email a Story