HEAVY IRON NEWS
EPA Approves Ohio's Injection Well Program
Design Team • September 6, 2015
Ohio's injection well program, run since 1983, has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, though the approval has come with a few caveats. Every state manages and runs its own injection well programs, but the EPA provides regulatory oversight to ensure that each well program meets minimum federal standards. The last examination of Ohio's injection well program took place in 2009, when the program was found to be lacking. The most recent reports from the EPA have determined that the injection well program in Ohio has improved and that the regulations cited have been implemented.
THE EPA FINDS A STRONGER PROGRAM IN OHIO
According to the EPA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was able to improve its injection well program in a few major ways. Ohio has taken steps in earthquake reduction and improved the number of inspectors. Additionally, they added automatic shut-off switches and continuous pressure monitoring requirements for wells developed after 2012. Nevertheless, the EPA did state that there were some improvements that they still wanted to see. Specifically, the EPA wanted both better record keeping and stronger enforcement of current regulations. In particular, the EPA wanted more stringent enforcement against those who repeatedly violated regulatory standards. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has acknowledged these requests and stated that it will improve upon its reporting.
PROTECTING THE GROUND WATER IN OHIO
Ohio's program was shown to either meet or exceed federal standards in 17 out of the 20 criteria that was reviewed by the EPA. In particular, the program was stated to provide significant protection for the drinking water resources located in Ohio. Ohio has more stringent standards for well injection than many other states, now requiring the seismic monitoring for all Class II injection wells. The ODNR has also repeatedly stated a commitment to protecting the state from both earthquakes and ground water infiltration. And though the EPA has asked for more enforcement of regulations, the report stated that the program was "strong in several areas including permitting, inspections and resolving violations."
OHIO CONTINUES TO BUILD ITS OIL INDUSTRY
Interest in oil and gas has been steadily rising in Ohio since 2009, following extensive wet gas and oil production in the Utica shale. Oil production in Ohio has rapidly become more fruitful since the development and widespread use of hydraulic fracturing technologies. Starting in 2005, both horizontal drilling and fracking contributed to a resurgence of the Ohio oil and gas industry. Following this positive review of Ohio's injection well program, it's likely that even more injection well sites will be able to be developed with less potential harm to the environment.
Despite the EPA's praise of Ohio's injection well program, there has still been some dissent. The FreshWater Accountability Project, in addition to other fracking-related activists, have been seeking to suspend the program in Ohio until a full safety audit can be completed. However, there has not yet been any reason to believe such an audit would be necessary or fruitful. According to the EPA, Ohio falls under federal guidelines and regulatory standards for maintaining and continuing its own injection well program.
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