Welcome to the Office of Administrative Hearings
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is an independent administrative section of the Office of the Secretary within the Energy and Environment Cabinet. OAH conducts administrative adjudicatory hearings regarding air, water, waste, forestry, oil and gas, and mining (coal and non-coal) violations upon the filing of a petition or complaint, and recommends to the Cabinet Secretary final agency action. OAH also conducts proceedings regarding Cabinet permitting actions, penalty assessments and offers mediation services.
OAH reports directly to the Cabinet Secretary. As an independent office, OAH is not affiliated with the Cabinet's regulatory programs, inspectors, or the Office of Legal Services. OAH proceedings, including hearings, are conducted by environmental administrative hearing officers who are licensed attorneys as well as full-time OAH employees. Please contact OAH staff if we may be of assistance to you.
Notice of Updated Procedures in Response to COVID-19 Emergency
On March 6, 2020, Governor Beshear issued Executive Order 2020-215 declaring a State of Emergency in response to the novel coronavirus (the "virus"). To protect the health and safety of Energy and Environment Cabinet ("Cabinet") employees, including Office of Administrative Hearings ("OAH") staff, and those members of the public appearing before the agency, OAH implements the following updated filing and hearing procedures set forth, below. These procedures are effective June 1, 2020 and until such time that state restrictions regarding the virus are lifted. Access full notice here.