Kasich signing new energy bill, drilling regulations included

Energy policy that Gov. John Kasich will sign into law later today will install a regulatory framework for oil and natural gas drilling in Ohio.

Gov. John Kasich is scheduled to sign off on a broad energy bill that will install a regulatory framework for oil and natural gas drilling in Ohio this afternoon.

Kasich?s office said Monday the governor will sign Senate Bill 315 at Akron-based Echogen Power Systems LLC. The Ohio House of Representatives passed the legislation May 24.

The legislation includes provisions for conservation at state buildings, an alternative fuel transportation program and myriad regulations for the oil and natural gas industry, among others. It will require identification of water sources that will be used to operate wells, copies of agreements between local governments and drillers and results of samplings of nearby water wells as part of the permit application for oil and natural gas drilling, according to a Legislative Service Commission report.

It also will require disclosure of the chemicals and additives used in drilling solutions, though the legislation does include a provision that will allow drilling companies to shroud some chemicals as trade secrets.

Environmentalists complained about the trade secrets provision and suggested 25 amendments to the bill, but a House committee passed it largely intact last month.

Under the legislation, drilling companies will not be forced to disclose lubricants used once the well is drilled below the water table.

The legislation does not include Kasich?s proposed plan to raise the severance tax on oil and natural gas extracted in Ohio and use the increased revenue for a statewide income tax cut.

Rick Rouan is Web coordinator for Business First.

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