Latest Developments

Mr. John Christopher at the Cuyahoga Falls water department did a follow up with ODNR and EPA on the relationship of the gas/oil well to the well field supplying our water. I received a response from him today that unfortunately raised more questions than it answered. I have emailed an additional request for several clarifications, which will be posted when I receive them.

In a more interesting turn, Mayor Larson received a letter from the lawyers representing Beck Energy. In case you do not already know, to receive a permit, the driller needs show that he meets spacing and minimum footage requirements. Without the footage withheld by Munroe Falls in opposition to the drilling (.37 acre), Beck did not meet the minimum footage requirement, preventing the issuance of a second well site permit for the Twin Falls Methodist church property.

Well, as it turns out, there are "minimum requirements" and there are loopholes large enough to drive a drilling rig through. The letter from Beck's lawyers says that: "Generally, the state can grant oil and gas producers a mandatory pooling order which, in effect, requires certain landowners to participate in gas and oil development. The state generally grants mandatory pooling orders in the event that an oil and gas producer has voluntarily attempted to lease certain oil and gas properties and has been unable to obtain the leases required under state spacing and minimum acreage rules..."

With the nice talk completed, we get down to business: "...please be advised that in the event that we do not obtain this lease, we intend to file an application for Mandatory Pooling with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and exercise our rights under Section 1509.27 of the Ohio Revised Code." Clearly, they have no regard for local opinion and intend to take what they want forcefully.

The Ohio legislature wants the drillers to have unfettered access to any soil in Ohio not yet perforated for profit. They must observe certain rules unless those rules get in the way. If you're happy with that, no further action is required. If not, better speak up soon.