Potential Ban on Fracking Brine Waste Injection Wells in Ohio

Very pleased to see this effort as this aspect of the fracking brine issue is exactly what drew

me into this topic and inspired this blog.


Press Release from the Ohio Statehouse


Representatives Bob Hagan, Denise Driehaus Senator Michael Skindell, along with Alison

Auciello of Food and Water Watch Ohio, Brian Kunkemoeller and Doanna Carver of Morrow

County P.O.W.E.R, introduced legislation to ban toxic fracking waste injection wells in Ohio.


 5/1/13 - Ohio State House

Earth Day Fracking Thoughts

With Earth Day coming up, April 22, it seems like the perfect time to think about the impact of fracking and fracking brine disposal.

Instead of sharing my thoughts on this, this time, I would like to hear what you, my readers, think.

Tell us: Based on all the information you have read and studied, do you think fracking is a dangerous path, or do you think it's safe?

Fracking in Environmentally Protected Zone of Meander Reservoir

ODNR permitted a fracking well in the environmentally-protected zone of Meander Reservoir. This is in Ohio's Mahoning Valley and was permitted without consulting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the overseeing Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.    

Natural Gas, Pipelines, Eminent Domain, and... Ohio?

In Texas, there is a current debate over the possibility and likelihood of a natural gas company declaring eminent domain over land needed to bury pipeline "for the public good".

So, what does that have to with Ohio? Well, they have some pipeline planned for Ohio, too, though the construction phase a couple to a few years away. (Expect more than one new pipeline passing through Ohio.) But, basically, if they decide your land is in the path they need for the new natural gas pipelines, yes, they can take your land by invoking eminent domain, and there will belittle you can do to fight it.

While you wouldn't think it would be a Republican/Democrat issue if it's really for "the greater good", one potentially high-ranking Republican, Paul Ryan, has already jumped on board the pipeline issue (though in this case he's referring to the Keystone Pipeline, but don't worry, others will come) and is pushing buttons to get voters primed so they won't fight the issue.

Oh, I almost forgot to add, in comparison to the fracking process used to get the natural gas out of the ground, and the brine dumped back in the ground and on roads, the pipelines are considered relatively benign.

Solidified Fracking Brine Coming to a Landfill Near You?

Solidified fracking brine.

Now, they (OEPA and Natural Gas producers) want to solidify toxic fracking brine so it can be dumped at landfills, along with frac sand and assorted other natural gas hydro-fracking byproducts and fracking waste.

I guess it isn't enough that our underground aquifers and water tables have been turned into a big toxic septic system, now there will be plenty of (or even more) above-ground toxins, too.

Thanks so much for protecting Ohio citizens, Ohio EPA! (B the way, that was sarcasm.)

When Newspapers Mislead Readers with Sort-Of True Titles on Fracking Articles....

If you are interested in the topic of fracking, and you probably are if you are reading this, make sure you read articles all the way through. Do not judge the information by the title, and make sure, also, to go back to the original source whenever possible. I try to always provide my original sources here to make it easy for you to confirm my information, but many sites do not offer that service so some research might be required on your part - if you want to know the truth about fracking.

Now, for the inspiration for this post:

I just finished checking out a slightly older Morrow County Sentinel article with the slightly misleading title: Fracking in Morrow County not likely. (I hate it when newspapers don't capitalize titles.)

I read the article, and while the article fits the title by describing the fact that Morrow County will probably not see an influx of cash from drillers, it is misleading (accidentally so I am sure)  in that many people do not read the content - they just peruse the headlines - giving the impression that residents do not have to fear fracking brine contamination.

The article leaves out the fact that the locals in this agricultural community do face exposure through fracking brine dumping. That's right, the drillers can't get natural gas here so they are already using the county as a sort of toxic septic system and have been for some time.

Like I said, I'm just using this particular article as an example to prove my point. I want to be perfectly clear in that I feel the article mentioned is accurate about Morrow County nor seeing much money from this boom, I just think the title will give mildly interested readers who skim titles and go on a false sense of security, and I feel this is pretty common in the news industry, especially with fracking as the topic.

What Do You Have in Common with Robert DeNiro, Hugh Jackman, Paul McCartney, and Julianne Moore

If you're are against fracking, you share an interest in the environmentally unsafe practice of fracking according to the new website, Artists Against Fracking. (By the way, that is just a short list of artists who are against this dangerous practice.)

While the Artists Against Fracking website is currently addressing New York's issues, it is still kind of interesting to check out the names of the artists who have become aware of this issue and who have chosen to stand on the side of the environment and the people whose lives are affected by the negative impacts of fracking.