Lake
Erie drilling ban backed by 2 Ohio officials Toledo Blade
01/09/2003
The directors of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources yesterday recommended
that Gov. Bob Taft consider banning oil and natural gas
drilling in state waters of Lake Erie.
ODNR Director Sam Speck and OEPA Director Chris Jones said
they believe the Taft administration is firmly on record
against drilling in state waters. The Blade reported on
Monday that Governor Taft is considering an executive order
banning drilling.
House Democratic Leader Chris Redfern of Catawba Island
sent a letter to Governor Taft after reading the story,
saying he was encouraged the governor might act.
Mr. Redfern introduced legislation last year that would
have permanently banned such drilling, but the measure died
in committee.
If the governor issues such an order, Ohio would become
the second Great Lakes state with such a ban. Michigan has
a ban prohibiting expansion of drilling in its waters on
Lake Erie beyond seven existing wells, six of which are
natural gas.
The recommendation by the two department heads was made
in anticipation of today’s expected release of a report
by the Ohio Public Interest Research Group questioning state
government’s commitment to the lake’s preservation.
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