693 of Ohio’s gas and oil wells failed inspections in 2011

We took a look at data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) obtained through public record requests along with data obtained from ODNR’s RBDMS database and we found that 693 gas and oil wells in Ohio failed inspections performed by ODNR inspectors last year, resulting in 1,625 distinct violations.

The most frequent citations appear to be for older, non-productive wells that have often been abandoned or unused for many years. Violations for Failure to legibly identify well (347 violations) were most frequent, followed by Nonproduction wells that need to be plugged or placed in temporary inactive status (251 violations). But many more serious violations were also identified including:

Click to read more ...

Rep. Driehaus Calls for Hearings on Fracking Bills

State Rep Denise Driehaus sends letter to Rep. Hall asking for hearings on House Bills 345 and 351 to pass a moratorium on fracking in Ohio.

Click to read more ...

Liberty plans to study its right to ban drilling

In 2004, the state Legislature passed House Bill 278 giving sole regulatory authority on gas and oil drilling to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The future resolution, township officials said, would also urge state lawmakers to pass a statewide moratorium on drilling to allow a study of drilling’s safety.

“We all want job creation,” said township Administrator Pat Ungaro. Injection well drilling “may create a lot of jobs, but obviously it’s creating a problem. The last [earthquake] I think really woke everyone up.”

Liberty is one of the first townships in the state to ask for a ban, Stoyak said.

In Hubbard Township, where an injection well is planned for construction, Trustee Fred Hanley said the township tried to ban the well and wrote to Gov. John Kasich, but nothing has worked.

But the difference between Hubbard and Liberty is that Liberty is a home-rule township, allowing it to assert more zoning control than a normal township.

Click to read more ...

Ohio House subcommittee will hold a hearing in the Valley on oil and gas drilling

EVENT: State Representative Sean O'Brien says the hearing will be January 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Youngstown State University

http://www.wfmj.com/story/16458424/ohio-house-subcommitte-will-hold-a-hearing-in-the-valley-on-oil-and-gas-drilling

Permit revision required to ship fracking brine by rai

Hydraulic fracturing waste can be shipped here by truck, but no permits have been obtained for rail, according to Heidi Hetzel-Evans, communications manager for the ODNR. Bringing in waste by rail may involve an off-loading method that could create different concerns than truck transportation,

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20120106/NEWS01/201060301/Permit-revision-required-ship-fracking-brine-by-rail

Bills passed in the Ohio House, Senate this session:

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/5142892

Fracking groups form Alliance, hire Kasich ally as Director

According to Kasich’s logic there’s no reason to slow down on the expansion of fracking since the fracking process and fracking wells are completely safe, it’s only the millions of gallons of toxic waste the process produces that’s a problem. So hey, full speed ahead!

Gas and Oil industry groups, not surprisingly, are pushing the exact same story. And they’ve formed a new group to help promote their message, hiring a Kasich ally to lead the effort.

Click to read more ...