oil and gas leasing
Environmental experts warn fracking on state lands in Ohio is dangerous, economically dubious
The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission heard from three environmentally-minded experts Wednesday skeptical of opening state lands to exploration. They argued the industry is downplaying risks and the strain on resources while offering an overly optimistic outlook. Silverio Caggiano spends a lot of time thinking about worst case scenarios. The retired Youngstown Fire […]
Bidding begins for oil and gas leases on public land in Ohio
The commission in charge of leasing mineral rights on state land in Ohio has begun accepting applications. They’ve already received eight proposals, and the commission plans to post the applications once they’ve reviewed them. Lawmakers set up the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission more than a decade ago. They charged the five-member commission with […]
Oil and gas commission looking to lawmakers for increased royalties, fees
The commission in charge of new rules for leasing Ohio’s state lands to oil and gas companies will seek legislative tweaks to award leases through bidding and to allow for more lucrative royalties. Meanwhile, the commission is pushing forward with a standard lease form over the objections of environmentalists. They worry that, despite repeated statements […]
Commission advances rules, leasing forms for drilling on Ohio’s state lands
Environmentalists demanded public input and oversight before oil and gas companies gain clearance to drill on public lands. The five-member oil and gas land management commission heard public comment Wednesday before approving a new standard lease form and rules. The process to lease public lands for oil and gas exploration has been exceptionally slow. Lawmakers […]
Senate Republicans add oil and gas lease provisions to poultry bill at eleventh hour
Last week in the Ohio Senate Agriculture committee, Republican members used a measure tied to retail poultry purchases to clear the path for greater oil and gas drilling on public lands. State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, added the language as part of a series of amendments meant to advance unrelated policy changes. In his […]
Four big questions about the feds’ scrutiny of oil and gas leasing on public lands
In his first week in office, President Joe Biden paused new oil and gas leasing on federal lands as his administration reviewed fossil fuel development policy. Now that Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has taken office, the administration is gearing up to begin that process. A forum comprising the energy industry, conservation groups, labor organizations and […]
Biden to pause new oil and gas leases on public lands in sweeping climate order
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed a host of executive orders on climate Wednesday that will put a hold on new oil and gas leases on federal property, place environmental justice in the center of climate reform and set goals of conserving nearly a third of the nation’s land and water. On the leases, likely […]