Press Release

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OEC Releases Shale Gas Resource Guide

Ohio Environmental Council, January 8, 2014

Free Shale Gas Resource Guide made available to citizens, lawmakers, and local emergency planning committees

Columbus, OH – The Ohio Environmental Council has created a free shale gas resource guide for anyone interested in information about shale gas drilling (“fracking”).

The guide was developed especially for residents and public officials in eastern Ohio.

It includes information about leases and landowner concerns, truck traffic and road maintenance agreements, chemical disclosure, emergency response, water testing, and potential public health effects.

The proliferation of shale gas wells in Ohio using horizontal hydraulic fracturing methods has heightened concerns among scientists, landowners, and the public.

To date, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has issued permits for more than 1,000 horizontal shale wells (over 600 of which have been drilled).

An Associated Press investigative report recently confirmed water contamination from fracking in four states, including Ohio.

The OEC’s shale gas resource guide attempts to empower Ohioans with tools and information to better protect themselves as landowners and to be educated as citizens on the various issues associated with shale gas drilling.

The guide includes 32 links to credible sources of information as well as contact information for Local Emergency Planning Committees in shale producing counties. It also summarizes the Ohio EPA’s recommended water quality sampling parameters. 

The OEC is distributing the guide to Local Emergency Management directors, public libraries, citizens in Eastern Ohio, state lawmakers, and the ODNR and Ohio EPA. 

The OEC has a limited supply of hard copy guides available. Please contact Melanie Houston at MHouston@theOEC.org or (614) 487-5849 if you would like to request a print version of the guide.

This resource guide is available online.