Limits and Moratoria on Hydraulic Fracturing

Four proposals have been introduced in the Ohio Senate and House by Democrats that would change the way hydraulic fracturing is utilized in the State of Ohio.

First, State Senator Mike Skindell introduced Senate Bill 212. The bill would add additional provisions on hydraulic fracturing operations, including how brine from the well will be disposed, mandatory baseline surface water and ground water testing, a complete list of chemicals used during the operation and  a 5% overriding interest in all wells using hydraulic fracturing.

Sen. Skindell also introduced Senate Bill 213. This bill would implement a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing operations until the U.S. EPA study on the process is complete. Once complete, the bill requires that the Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (DOGRM) conduct a report on how Ohio’s regulations coincide with the U.S. EPA report.

State Representatives Denise Driehaus and Tracy Maxwell-Heard introduced House Bill 345. This bill mirrors Sen. Skindell’s Senate Bill 213. State Representatives Nickie Antonio and Teresa Fedor introduced House Bill 351, which mirrors Senate Bill 212 except for one provision. House Bill 345 create a 7% overriding interest in all well utilizing hydraulic fracturing.

While these bills will not be enacted into Ohio law, their introductions show how politicized the issue of hydraulic fracturing has become – even in the light of several reports by state regulators heralding the safety record of the process.