For half a century, Ohio Citizen Action (OCA) has exemplified the power of organized citizens to create meaningful change. From its founding as the Ohio Public Interest Campaign in 1975 to its current role as Ohio's largest environmental and consumer advocacy organization, OCA has remained true to its core: empowering ordinary people to make extraordinary impact.

Ohio Citizen Action began with a simple mission: to give people the tools they need to fight for democracy, a clean environment, and the power to shape their communities. We recognize that true change comes from the ground up—from the voices of ordinary people uniting for a common goal.

The Early Years: Building a Foundation for Change (1975-1985)

When Ohio Citizen Action formed in 1975, it quickly established itself as a force for economic justice. Its first major victory came that same year, when the organization successfully campaigned against Governor Jim Rhodes' ballot initiative that would have given substantial tax breaks to Ohio manufacturers. This early win set the template for what would become OCA's signature approach: combining grassroots organizing with sophisticated policy advocacy. The organization scored another landmark victory in 1976 when it began a nationwide campaign requiring advance notice of plant closings - an effort that would eventually become federal law in 1989. This campaign demonstrated OCA's ability to transform local activism into national policy change. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, OCA racked up an impressive string of victories that established its reputation as an effective advocate for ordinary citizens:

  • Stopped $10 million in tax abatements to Nationwide Insurance (1979)
  • Protected Cleveland's public power system through grassroots organizing (1979)
  • Negotiated groundbreaking community reinvestment agreements with major banks (1981)
  • Won the strongest toxic chemical right-to-know ordinance in the nation in Cincinnati (1982)


The Environmental Justice Era (1985-2000)


By the mid-1980s, OCA began focusing more intensively on environmental health and justice issues. The organization pioneered the use of "good neighbor campaigns" - a innovative approach that combined community organizing with direct corporate engagement to achieve pollution reduction.

Major environmental victories during this period included:
  • Securing tough restrictions on "construction work in progress" payments for nuclear plants (1985)
  • Helping pass a federal right-to-know law for toxic chemicals (1986)
  • Creating the nation's first high school curriculum on hazardous materials (1986)
  • Publishing the first comprehensive industrial pollution reports for every zip code (1989)
  • Forcing multiple companies to reduce toxic emissions through good neighbor campaigns (1990s)


Entering the 21st Century: New Challenges, Innovative Solutions (2000-2025)


As Ohio entered a new millennium, OCA adapted its tried-and-true organizing methods to address emerging challenges. The organization became a leader in:
  • Campaign finance reform and government accountability
  • Clean energy advocacy and utility oversight
  • Environmental justice and community empowerment
  • Corporate accountability campaigns


The Historic Fight Against HB6 (2019-2023)


Perhaps no campaign better exemplifies OCA's evolution and effectiveness than its multi-year battle against House Bill 6, dubbed "the worst energy bill of the 21st century." When the $61 million bribery scandal behind HB6 broke in 2020, OCA was uniquely positioned to lead the fight for repeal and accountability.

The organization's response showcased its full arsenal of organizing tools:
  • Mobilized thousands of citizens to contact legislators
  • Generated extensive media coverage
  • Built diverse coalitions
  • Maintained public pressure through creative actions
  • Secured partial repeal of the law's most egregious provisions


The Ohio Citizen Action Method: What Makes It Work

Several key elements have defined OCA's approach throughout its history:

  1. Direct Citizen Contact: Whether through door-to-door canvassing or phone banking, OCA has always prioritized one-on-one conversations with citizens. In recent years, the organization has regularly knocked on over 150,000 doors annually.
  2. Corporate Accountability: OCA pioneered the "good neighbor campaign" model, which has been replicated nationwide. This approach combines public pressure, direct corporate engagement, and community organizing to achieve concrete environmental improvements.
  3. Coalition Building: Throughout its history, OCA has excelled at building diverse coalitions, bringing together environmental groups, labor unions, faith communities, and neighborhood organizations.
  4. Policy Impact: While maintaining its grassroots focus, OCA has consistently influenced state and federal policy through strategic advocacy and organizing.


Looking Forward: The Next 50 Years


As Ohio Citizen Action enters its second half-century, the organization remains as vital and necessary as ever. Current priorities include:
  • Advancing environmental justice and equitable climate solutions
  • Protecting democracy and voting rights
  • Ensuring corporate accountability
  • Building power in underserved communities
The organization continues to evolve while staying true to its founding principle: that organized citizens can create meaningful change through strategic action and persistent engagement.

By the Numbers: 50 Years of Impact
  • Millions of doors knocked
  • Hundreds of successful campaigns
  • Dozens of landmark policy victories
  • Countless lives improved through environmental and consumer protection
Ohio Citizen Action's story is ultimately about the power of organized citizens to shape their communities and their future. As the organization enters its next 50 years, it stands ready to continue empowering Ohioans to create the change they want to see.