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Ohio governor: Drilling, environment compatible

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By TOM SHEERAN, The Associated Press Updated 7:26 PM Tuesday, February 7, 2012

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Ohio doesn't need to choose between a developing shale energy industry and a clean environment, Gov. John Kasich told state lawmakers in his State of the State address Tuesday at a top-performing school.

"You cannot degrade the environment the same time you're producing this industry. It is not acceptable," the Republican governor said.

Kasich's comments were meant to comfort residents in eastern Ohio, where his speech was delivered, who stand to gain from the region's growing oil and gas drilling industry — but who also have concerns.

A seismologist working for the state has linked a Christmas Eve earthquake in Youngstown, about 50 miles north of Steubenville, to deep injection disposal of drilling wastewater. The region has experienced 11 quakes in the past year.

Tensions are high on the issue. Practically the first words Kasich spoke on the subject Tuesday on the developing shale industry were jeered by some members of the balcony audience who were escorted out.

"Hey, Steubenville, let 'em know what you think of disruptions," Kasich said — prompting a round of supportive applause.

Kasich said he was committed to environmentally safe oil and natural gas development and said he was confident in the responsible outlook of major drillers.

"The biggest companies know that you need to have tough environmental rules," Kasich said.

"They can't be complicated, they can't be over the top, but we need to have them because we can't have some yahoo come into this state and damage this whole industry because they are irresponsible," he said.

State Rep. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo, said if the governor was serious about safe drilling, the Republican-controlled Legislature would be holding hearings on regulations. Democrats have introduced several bills that are stalled, including proposals to place a statewide moratorium on drilling as environmental effects are assessed and to require disclosure of chemicals used in the controversial drilling technique hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

"We have the cart before the horse," Fedor said. "We have earthquakes that are happening."

Kasich said the initial results from the growing shale development in eastern Ohio are positive. "We've only had 36 wells drilled, but the good news is, looks pretty good," he said.

The governor called on lawmakers to help make sure colleges and universities are preparing the skilled workers that the shale industry needs. He said the industry promises great economic rewards for the state.

Jed Thorp, the Sierra Club's chapter conservation director in Ohio, criticized the governor for encouraging the industry.

"The natural gas industry's path of destruction is clear and Ohio can't afford the polluted water and air that comes with it," he said in a statement. "Gov. Kasich today pledged strong regulations to protect Ohio's environment from fracking impacts. If the Governor were serious about protecting Ohio's air and water, these regulations would already be in place."

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Sheeran contributed to this report from Cleveland.

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February 08, 2012 12:22 AM EST

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