Fri Feb 03 2012
by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Hudson -- State Rep Mike Moran says he may consider sponsoring a House bill to bring back local rule and give municipalities more control over gas and oil well drilling in their area.
About 20 people attended a Sept. 26 town hall meeting at the Hudson Library and Historical Society to discuss issues dealing with local gas and oil drilling.
Moran, a Democrat from Hudson, said he scheduled the meeting to make residents aware of oil and gas legislation which may be before the state legislature later this year.
Residents from Hudson, Stow, Munroe Falls and Coventry Township were in attendance.
"I think the changes to urban drilling laws made in 2004 need some adjustment," Moran said.
Moran said in 2004 state laws were changed, taking away local control of gas and oil wells. He said previously, municipalities could set limits to how close wells could be drilled from homes, with Hudson and Stow setting 200-foot setbacks.
Under the 2004 changes, the state now mandates wells can be drilled within 100 feet of a home.
Moran said legislation is before the State Senate which deals with sound mitigation for drilling, some mandatory pooling restrictions and liability.
However, the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), does not bring back local control, deal with screening of the wells or local hearings. And Moran thinks it should, and wants to find out if citizens and local government leaders agree.
Hudson City Council President David Basil said the state should not determine local rules for drilling, saying, "action at the State Legislature is necessary" to change the rules.
His sentiments were echoed by others in the audience who said they were upset that municipalities no longer have a say.
"If I wanted to build a shed on my land I would have to get all kinds of approval from my neighbors [and] the city," said Kathie Olszewski, a Hudson resident. "But I have no rights as to what I have to look at."
Stow Mayor Karen Fritschel, who attended the meeting, said she is not against drilling for gas and oil.
"What we support is local control," she said.
Stow passed a resolution Sept. 10 to oppose mandatory pooling, a process where approval for the drilling can be granted for a specific area by a state committee, whether all homeowners approve or not.
Munroe Falls Mayor Frank Larson, also in attendance, agreed with Fritschel. He said Munroe Falls has been trying to maintain local control by holding developers to local zoning laws.
However not everyone in attendance was against mandatory pooling.
"Pooling was put in so neighbors had to be included in fair and just revenues," said Bill Kinney, owner of Summit Petroleum. "It was intended to be a shield, but some producers use it as a sword."
Moran said he was "glad that people took the time to share their thoughts."
"I believe that we need to make changes to our state oil and gas laws as they pertain to urban drilling," he said. "I think that changes beyond those included in S.B. 165 are needed."
For more information on urban drilling Moran suggested residents visit www.dnr.state.oh.us/. He also said residents could contact him at 614-466-1177 or e-mail District42@ohr.state.oh.us.
E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146
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