110 likes | 342 Views
Hydraulic Fracturing Montville Township Trustee Meeting. February 14, 2012. Background. Local area residents attend 1/10/12 meeting with concerns about Hydraulic Fracturing Operations coming to Medina County. Stack of articles against Gas Drilling
E N D
Hydraulic FracturingMontville Township Trustee Meeting February 14, 2012
Background • Local area residents attend 1/10/12 meeting with concerns about Hydraulic Fracturing Operations coming to Medina County. • Stack of articles against Gas Drilling • Suggested that Trustees adopt a resolution that ODNR’s DMRM (Div. Of Mineral Resource Mgmt) notify us when a drilling permit is filed. • Suggested that Trustees adopt a resolution that prohibits fracking on township land.
Research • Found many reports in support of new gas exploration industry. • Rep. Dave Hall, Chr. OH Ag. & Nat. Res. Comttin OH House. – views the industry very positively. • Ohio has adopted strict new regulations on drilling • State inspectors present throughout drilling process • New wells must have two layers of cement casings to prevent leakage of material into nearby wells. • Spoke with Bill Thorne – no statutory support for a moratorium on fracking. • Need to have RUMA – Road Use Maintenance Agreements now required by law. • Problem is with Injection Wells, not fracking.
Current Facts • Medina County has only one drilling permit in Harrisville Township . • Permit is to Devon Energy Production Company • Pad is started for a horizontal fracturing well • Also have one in Ashland • Medina County lies on potential large, rich, utica shale deposits • Townships have no control on this industry aside from not allowing it on township property. • OTA welcomes the industry to Ohio.
So What Can We Do: • Understand the Industry and Process • ODNR has the sole responsibility to permit, monitor and inspect this whole industry. • Writing report regarding the Youngstown Earthquakes. • Will modernize the fines and penalties for infractions. • Set up procedures to eliminate current safety issues. • Good research and very informative.
Educational Powerpoints • Chesapeake Energy Shale Operations Overview Powerpoint • Chesapeake not coming any further west (as of now) • Have very impressive business plans and procedures • County Commissioners have to Develop RUMA – view ODOT Powerpoint • County Engineers and ODOT District 11 have one
So What Can We Do? • Be Notified: Request to be notified to new permit requests and adopt Resolution to prohibit fracking on Township land. • Be Educated: Chesapeake Energy Shale Operations Overview • Be Prepared: Create a RUMA: “Road Use and Maintenance Agreement” and Impact Fees. • Be Aware: New industry will impact many governmental services and local businesses.
New Developments • It is the injection wells , not the fracturing that most are concerned about. • Disposal of used fracking (brine) waste water solutions are injected back into the earth. • New permits for injection well drilling have temporarily been suspended by ODNR while they prepare a report. • Fracking with propane gel is on the horizon • Propane gel turns into gas when heated and 100% is recovered with the natural gas – eliminates frack (brine) waste water problem.
Fracking with Propane Gel • Alternative to hydraulic fracturing • Safer and more efficient than water • does not bring the fracking chemical to the surface • leaves them behind as gel turns to gas when heated and mixes with fracked gases. • 20-30% more expensive than water fracking • Developed by small energy company in Calgary, Alberta called GasFrac. • Stlll awaiting a permit in the US
Ohio Township Association • Welcomes the development of the Marcellus and Utica Shale in Ohio. • Recommends the following to ensure that local government interest are protected: • Require a RUMA as a condition to a permit to drill • No statutory support for Impact Fees (suggested by OTA)
Property Owners • Awareness groups need to target individual property owners with anti fracking literature • Only way to impact the industry coming here • Landmen approaching land owners to get leases • Must have legal advise – Bill Williams, Canton • Surface rights and sub surface rights. • ODNA does not have a blacklist as yet for drilling violations.