The state of Ohio’s regulation of oil-and-gas fracking and its byproducts has come under scrutiny recently, with critics noting a lack of strong enforcement in the public interest. A recent report by Cleveland.com’s Jake Zuckerman shed light on the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission’s handling of leaking fracking-waste deep-injection wells in Athens County.
Despite warnings of “imminent danger” to the public, the commission, comprised of appointees of the governor, initially blocked the closure of the wells for six months. The wells, owned by K&H Partners LLC, were found to hold nearly 1 billion gallons of fracking brine waste, with some of it migrating to oil and gas wells as far as one mile away.
After continued pressure, the commission finally agreed to halt the operation of the leaking wells, acknowledging the risk to public health and safety. However, questions remain as to why the commission resisted the urgent closure order in the first place.
Critics argue that the Oil and Gas Commission, created in 2010, may be more inclined to favor petroleum interests over public health and safety due to its composition. With two of the five commissioners representing petroleum interests and only one representing the public, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the regulatory body.
The ongoing dispute highlights the need for more stringent regulation of fracking practices in Ohio to protect the environment and public health. As the debate continues, the impact of these decisions on communities and natural resources remains a critical concern for residents and policymakers alike.
