The Buckeye Institute joined Build Ohio First, a new pro-build energy coalition focused on driving economic growth through affordable, reliable, abundant energy. The new free-market energy advocacy organization was launched to advance practical policy solutions for Ohio’s future energy needs. Build Ohio First is a coalition led by The Buckeye Institute and Americans for Prosperity – Ohio and supported by Powering Prosperity to encourage Ohio policymakers to build upon their successful efforts to grow Ohio’s economy through affordable energy production.

The Buckeye Institute called on the Federal Judicial Center to remove the “How Science Works” chapter from the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, warning that, in violation of Federal Rule of Evidence 702, the chapter smuggles activist climate-change advocacy into the very document federal judges consult to keep unreliable expert testimony out of the courtroom. “Judges are supposed to referee science, not impose an activist thumb on the scale.”

FoxNews.com features Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury—one of The Buckeye Institute’s two cases challenging the federal ban on home distilling. “For home brewers interested in taking the next step from beer or wine to whiskey, gin or other spirits, the dispute could ultimately determine whether a hobby long prohibited under federal law can move out of the commercial distillery and into the home.”

The Buckeye Institute is pleased to announce its new economist, Hugo Diaz, Ph.D., who recently joined the organization after many years in academia. Diaz will conduct original research and dynamic economic modeling—specifically examining how taxing and spending decisions affect businesses, workers, families, jobs, economic indicators, and state revenues. “The combination of technical skill, academic credentials, and firsthand experience makes Hugo a tremendous addition to our already outstanding economic research team.”

The Columbus Dispatch features Robert Alt’s—The Buckeye Institute’s president and CEO—feat in conquering the world’s Seven Summits. “A little-known fact about Robert Alt: He said he’s afraid of heights. That wouldn’t be so shocking if he hadn’t scaled the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, known as the Seven Summits. But as of July 1, the CEO of The Buckeye Institute has accomplished just that.”

The Buckeye Institute commented on the August 2026 jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), saying, “While Ohio’s unemployment rate fell to 3.3 percent in August, the labor force participation rate also fell to 61.3 percent, meaning more Ohioans are no longer looking for work. Although Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than the national average, the national job market significantly outpaced Ohio in August, with more workers looking for jobs, a declining unemployment rate, and 127,000 new private-sector jobs.”

The Buckeye Institute filed its response brief in McNutt v. U.S. Department of Justice—one of The Buckeye Institute’s two cases challenging the unconstitutional federal prohibition on home distilling—with the U.S. Supreme Court. In its response, The Buckeye Institute urged the Supreme Court to grant review of McNutt and also Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury. “The importance of the fundamental constitutional questions in these two cases being addressed together can hardly be overstated.”

At RealClearEnergy, The Buckeye Institute offers reforms electric grid operators like PJM need to make to meet growing energy demand. “Data centers, advanced manufacturing, and other drivers of economic growth are increasing demand for electricity across the U.S. Meeting that demand will require new sources of electric power—and quickly. Unfortunately, the grid operators responsible for connecting power supplies to the grid face outdated regulations and often lack the technology or incentives to bring new power online.”

In Crain’s Cleveland Business, The Buckeye Institute urges policymakers to do more to build a strong workforce in Ohio and recommends several public policy changes for improving Ohio’s labor force. “CNBC rightly recognized and rewarded Ohio for being a great place to do business. Addressing labor force concerns by improving employee training with better, outcome-based education funding incentives is long overdue. Making those adjustments will enhance worker pay and efficiency and offer the marketable skills that businesses value.”

In a new policy brief, Don’t Pull the Plug: A Better Blueprint for Ohio’s Data Center Future, The Buckeye Institute argues against short-sighted blanket bans on data centers and instead calls on state and local governments to address the challenges data centers pose without unnecessarily discouraging—or killing—investment in this vital new industry. “While Ohio policymakers should not dismiss legitimate public concerns about data centers, they should reject moratoriums on their construction.”