January 6, 2025

OEC Statement on Fracking Well Pad Explosion in Guernsey County

Antrim, OH — On Thursday, January 2, 2025, there was a fracking well pad explosion in Antrim, Ohio. No one was injured, but an evacuation was called for everyone in a half-mile radius. Updates continue to be provided by the local fire department. 

In response, the following statement can be attributed in full or in part to Pete Bucher, Chief of Staff for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC): 

“Following the fracking well pad explosion in Guernsey County last week, the Ohio Environmental Council has been monitoring the situation and its impact on residents and the environment. It will likely take time before we know the full extent of the human health impacts and environmental damage caused by the well pad explosion and leaking methane gas. But we know all too well from experience: fracking is dangerous. 

“A similar blowout at a natural gas well in Belmont County in 2018 released more methane than the entire oil and gas industries of many nations do in one year.  In addition to exacerbating climate change impacts on our communities, methane emissions contribute to asthma, cancer and many other public health issues.

“Despite these dangers, Ohio lawmakers have opened up Ohio’s public lands to fracking. Gulfport Appalachia, the company in charge of the Antrim well pad which exploded just a few miles down the road from Salt Fork State Park, was awarded more bids than any other oil and gas company seeking to frack our state lands. 

“The Antrim well pad explosion should serve as a wakeup call for lawmakers taking office across Ohio and the nation this month: we need to transition to safer, cleaner energy solutions for the health of our environment and our communities.” 

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The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement. For media inquiries, please contact media<at>theoec.org.