Director of the Office of Public Liaison

June 11, 2007

Wade Rakes Director of the Office of Public Liaison Governor's Office Riffe Center, 30th Floor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6108

Fax: 614-466-9354

Dear Mr. Rakes:

According to news reports, Governor Strickland is supportive of an amendment to Ohio's 2008-09 fiscal bill, which would allow the Ohio EPA Director to issue a modified permit while a permit is under appeal. This amendment will directly impact the U.S. Coking Group and their proposed coke plant in Toledo, Ohio.

As you may be aware, the backers of the proposed coke plant remain anonymous. The Ohio Citizen Action Education Fund has been tracking Ohio political money since 1994. In order to “follow the money,” we need to know who the backers of this project are. We would like to know the names of the backers of the proposed coke plant.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, this is a request that you make records available for inspection pertaining to the coke plant proposed for Toledo, Ohio by the U.S. Coking Group. Based on this inspection, I may request copies.

The records sought are as follows:

1.) Correspondence between and among Governor Strickland and members of his staff, and the U.S. Coking Group or their intermediaries. 2.) Emails between and among Governor Strickland and members of his staff, and the U.S. Coking Group or their intermediaries. 3.) Correspondence between and among Governor Strickland and members of his staff, and the members of the Ohio General Assembly and employees of the General Assembly pertaining to the proposed coke plant for Toledo, Ohio. 4.) Emails between and among Governor Strickland and members of his staff, and the members of the Ohio General Assembly and employees of the General Assembly pertaining to the proposed coke plant for Toledo, Ohio.

Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Sincerely,

Catherine R. Turcer Legislative Director Ohio Citizen Action 1200 Chambers Rd. Columbus, OH 43212 Phone: (614) 487-7880