Antonio Opposes Decision to Frack Under State's Preserved Wildlife

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement after the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) again sold rights to drill for oil and gas under Ohio’s preserved wildlife areas.

“I’m deeply disappointed in the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission’s decision to move forward with these applications after receiving hundreds of public comments urging otherwise,” said Antonio. “The concerns shared by many Ohioans about their health and the safety of our state parks have been ignored throughout this process. Protecting Ohio's natural environment is crucial to ensuring that Ohioans have access to clean water, clear air, and a viable future.”

The OGLMC is responsible for deciding upon applications to extract oil and gas from Ohio’s state lands. The panel decided on Monday to sell 85 acres underneath Keen Wildlife Area to Houston-based EOG resources to frack in the preserved area, despite hundreds of public comments in opposition to such activity. The panel additionally voted to allow drilling to occur under Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County; that land will go out to bid in October of this year.

In a process so wrought with controversy, ranging from environmental concerns to fraudulent letters being investigated by the attorney general’s office, it is clear that these efforts to frack under public lands are misguided at best and reckless at worst. That is why the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus previously urged the OGLMC to reject applications to frack under Ohio’s state parks.