Contending that Ohioans are not adequately protected from the risks of horizontal, hydrological fracturing - or "fracking" - for oil and gas, the Ohio Environmental Council is proposing a sweeping upgrade to state oil and gas laws. The proposed bill, called SAFER GAS (Safeguarding Appalachian Families with Environmental Regulation of Gas And Shale), shores up more than 30 gaps in Ohio law.

1. Tackling Fracking: OEC’s
―SAFER GAS Act‖
September 9, 2013
Thank you for joining us. We will begin in a moment.
Please check your speakers/phone connection.
If you experience any problems, please let us know
by typing in the chat box.
Follow the OEC on Twitter: @OhioEnviro.
The hashtag for this webinar is #OECwebinar

2. Trent Dougherty, Esq.
Managing Director
of Legal Affairs
Tackling Fracking: OEC’s
―SAFER GAS Act‖

3. Ohio Environmental Council
The OEC is the Ohio’s most comprehensive, effective and
respected environmental advocate for a healthier, more
sustainable Ohio.
Our experts work daily to restore, protect, and strengthen the
quality of life for families and communities—from the air we
breathe and the water we drink to the food we eat and natural
resources we enjoy.
Please join us! OEC members:
 Receive great benefits
 Become part of the community working to restore, protect, and
strengthen the quality of life for families and communities in
Ohio.
Join us today at www.theOEC.org.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
 Require Ohio EPA to establish air
emission controls on all phases of
production
 Require Methane Capture
 Oversight of Fracking wastewater
"Centralized Treatment Facilities―
 Definition of Radioactive Material
 Designation of Lands Unsuitable
for Drilling

5. ENFORCEMENT & TRANSPARENCY
 Impose “Scarlet Letter Law” on
flagrant, repeat, and criminal
offenders
 Increase penalties to exceed
economic benefit of violation
 Broaden Emergency Response
Reporting
 Increased Inspectors and
Inspections
 Increase public notification &
provide more public participation
in permitting & right to appeal

6. INDUSTRY & GOVERNMENT
ACCOUNTABILITY
 Modernize Ohio’s Oil & Gas
Severance Tax
 Revise composition of the Oil
and Gas Commission
 Citizen Initiated Rulemaking
 Providing tools to State
Emergency Personnel
 Broaden Emergency
Response Reporting

7. PROPERTY OWNER PROTECTION
 Registration and oversight of
landmen
 Revised Statute of Limitations
for lease disputes
 Modern lease requirements with
proper notifications
 Right for lessors to audit
driller’s records

8. Everyone has a stake in proper regulation
The OEC invites suggestions from:
 the public
 landowners
 lawmakers,
 regulators
 even the oil and gas industry

9. Q & A - Feedback
Upcoming Events & Webinars
September 26
10th Anniversary Celebration of our Law Center
5 – 7 p.m., Columbus
www.theOEC.org/OELC10Year
www.theOEC.org/Webinars
October 2 & 9 – Building a Better Board (2-part)
October 16 – Advocacy 101