An Ohio commission has granted bids to frack oil and gas under state parks, including land owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The mineral rights were awarded to several oil and gas companies, allowing them to conduct fracking operations under state-owned areas.
Companies such as Encino Energy Partners and Infinity Natural Resources, LLC, have been granted rights to frack under specific wildlife areas and state parks. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources stands to receive $59.7 million in bonuses from the fracking leases, with each lease also including a 12.5% royalty paid to the state for production.
Fracking is a technique used to extract natural gas or oil from impermeable rock formations by injecting water, chemicals, and sand at high pressures to crack the rock and release trapped gas and oil. The awarded leases include provisions for water quality testing and restricted drilling times.
The commission emphasized that drilling would occur underground, with no surface areas of the parks being disturbed. Despite ongoing legal challenges and public backlash, the commission proceeded with the bidding process.
Opponents of fracking have criticized the lack of transparency in the process, citing concerns about corporate influence and potential fraudulent support for fracking. An investigation by the Ohio Attorney General's office is ongoing regarding possibly fraudulent letters sent in support of fracking, with allegations of names being attached to form letters without consent.
Protesters have consistently voiced their opposition to fracking in state parks, expressing concerns about environmental impacts and the preservation of public lands. Advocacy groups continue to advocate for the protection of Ohio's greenspace amidst the commission's decision to move forward with fracking operations.
The commission's actions have sparked controversy and raised questions about the balance between economic interests and environmental conservation in Ohio. The outcome of the ongoing investigation and the long-term implications of fracking on state parks remain subjects of public debate and scrutiny.
