Ohio Residents Share Feelings On Fracking

Columbus, Ohio - Several Ohio families gathered in Columbus Tuesday with Valentines in hand to discuss how much they dislike fracking, reported ONN's Stephanie Mennecke. 

"We have to say what is in our heart. We are unable to sleep at night because these injection wells are close to our lands," Erin Renee Ripple of Amesville said.

Athens resident Sarah Conley said that she is worried the livelihood of local farmers will be jeopardized.

"They can stay on their farms and grow us good food rather than them having to sell their property because their land is being polluted because of the fracking practices. It's scary to us," Conley said.

The two families have been making Valentine's Day cards for Gov. John Kasich that said how much they love their land and water, and that they're against injection wells and fracking. 

"We are here to deliver valentines to governor Kasich on Valentine's Day.  We are bringing our love from our farm land really," Amesville resident Karen Carlson said.

Kasich wasn't in his office to receive the cards, but he's been very vocal about his stance on fracking in Ohio, Mennecke reported.

During governor Kasich's State of the State Address last Tuesday he spoke about fracking.

"We cannot let our fears outweigh the potential," Kasich said.

Kasich even openly applauded an investor who plans to bring big money to Ohio by building fracking facilities.

"He's investing in these three facilities in this state, a half a billion dollar in investment. 700 jobs to build the darn thing, so start signing up and at the same time it's going to yield hundreds of jobs,"  Kasich said.

Conley said that it's a topic that needs to be researched and evaluated before any further decisions are made, and doesn't want to see jobs and economic growth come before environmental concerns.

"It's absolutely important that it be done as safely as possible if it has to happen," Conley said.
 
Stay with ONN and refresh ONNtv.com for the latest information.

http://www.onntv.com/content/stories/2012/02/14/story-fracking-protest.html