Ohio's New Fracking Regulations

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has announced a new set of rules for hydraulic fracturing (frac) disposal, spurred in part by the recent decision and announcement that fracking brine injection at waste water disposal sites caused a series of earthquakes near Youngstown, Ohio.

According to the ODNR, the new rules are among the toughest brine dumping rules in the nation. The new rules apply to new injection well sites as well as existing waste water injection sites.

A Brief Summary of Ohio's New Brine Injection Rules

• No new wells will be permitted to be drilled into the Precambrian basement rock formation.
• Existing wells going into the Precambrian basement rock formation will have to be capped with cement - or more accurately - the ODNR will have the authority to require their capping.
• Operators (drillers) will be required to submit extensive geological data before drilling under the new rules.
• The new regulations require up to date, effective pressure and volume monitoring devices; to include automatic shut-off switches and electronic data recorders.
• Under the new rules, brine haulers will be required to install electronic transponders, thereby ensuring “cradle to grave” monitoring of all shipments.

The full report is available on the ODNR website.

Youngstown Ohio's 4.0 Earthquake Linked to Fracking Brine Dumping

It can be hard to picture why brine dumping would cause earthquakes. The term dumping implies getting rid of waste by, well, dumping it. It does not paint an accurate picture of how the brine is forced back into the ground under the same kind of high pressure used to extract the natural gas during the hydraulic fracturing drilling process. That pressure forced into unstable ground, according to geologists studying the problem, is causing earthquakes.

Recent history has found earthquakes increasing near fracking brine injection sites in Arkansas, West Virginia, Colorado and Texas. This past weekend, scientists announced that Ohio has joined the party - so to speak - with its 11th earthquake in the past 8 months. The earthquake this weekend was a 4.0 magnitude in the Youngstown/West Akron area and was felt as far away as Michigan, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Before the onset of fracking brine dumping into injection wells in this community, earthquakes were extremely rare.

"James Zehringer, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, announced the closing of two injection wells in Youngstown Township owned by Northstar Disposal Services LLC and operated by D&L Energy Inc." (Ohio.com)

Short Notice: Your Chance to Add Your Voice to ODNR Oil and Natural Gas Well Construction Draft Rules

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management is accepting comments on the new set of proposed well construction rules, but only until November 28, 2011.

Since this is coming to Ohio, in fact it's already here, and it's growing rapidly, if you care about this issue (and you probably do if you're here reading this) then you have this opportunity to read the proposed draft rules and make your voice heard if you feel any of the rules are amiss, unclear, or inadequate.

The new rules will be finalized and in effect by the end of January 2012 according to the ODNR website.
Link to Proposed Draft Rules
The email address for submitting your comments is: minerals@dnr.state.oh.us

Do Residents Living Near Fracking Brine Injection Sites Have the Right to Debate the Issue?

What rights do local governmental leaders and citizens have when it comes to potentially toxic waste being dumped in proximity to their homes?

Say Goodbye to Your Rights?

According to a report in the Mansfield News Journal, an attorney for the company (Preferred Fluids Management of Austin, Texas) that has proposed two injection sites in Mansfield, Ohio's industrial park, citizens and city leaders have absolutely no rights.

Who Gets to Decide for You?

The PFM attorney states that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Mineral Resources Management has sole jurisdiction and the city can neither limit nor prohibit the injection sites if the state's ODNR opts to allow the sites.

Zoning

It is also stated that the industrial park's zoning (general impact industrial use) allows the injection wells - further depleting rights of Mansfield, Ohio citizens.

Is the Brine Toxic?

The News Journal report also notes that the sites would be accepting up to 150,000 barrels of non-toxic fluid per month. The non-toxic part of the claim is interesting in light of the EPA's recent findings of contaminated groundwater from monitoring wells the agency set near hydro-fractured wells.

Update on Fracking Brine Dumping on Ohio Roadways

Updated January 21, 2011

Since strict environmental laws say dumping hazardous waste anywhere it can get into our water systems and soil is forbidden, why are some states dumping it on the roadways to keep down ice and dust - depending upon the season in question? This recently updated  Ohio Environmental Protection Agency document, Drilling for Natural Gas in the Marcellus and Utica Shales: Environmental Regulatory Basics, outlines in very specific language that this is being done in Ohio. 

The original document (circa 1983/Ohio Department of Natural Resources) outlining procedures for roadway/oilfield completion fluid dumping, implied that only oilfield completion fluids would be dumped, and then listed a few, somewhat unrealistic measures that are in place to keep the brine out of waterways, yards, and fields. (I mean, if it runs off the road and into the ditch, it is going to flow right along with the rest of the runoff water when the snow melts or when it rains. It's water, it isn't going to separate the toxins out of itself just because someone wants us to believe it will.) According to the newly released (July 2011 OEPA document, it is no longer oilfield completion fluid - ever.


Add dumping brine into old injection wells, and it's really a wonder it's still safe to drink the water. Or is it still safe? That's not for me to decide, I'm just here to share the information I find. I'm not against fracking, I don't hate energy companies, I just think it is the height of irresponsible behavior for businesses, and for state officials charged with the responsibility to protect the interests of citizens, to proceed with something so hazardous without a realistic plan in place for protecting the environment.