To enact section 1509.101 of the Revised Code to require horizontal oil and gas well owners that drill in state parks to disclose the chemical components of the materials used in the drilling operation.
Summary
HB71 would create a new section of the Ohio Revised Code requiring owners of horizontal oil and gas wells operating in or under state parks to disclose, in advance, the trade names and chemical components of all products, fluids, and substances used in drilling and well operations. The disclosure would have to be submitted to the chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management at least 30 days before use.
The bill also requires the chief to immediately post the submitted information on the division’s website, making the chemical disclosure publicly accessible. In practical terms, the measure is aimed at increasing transparency around oil and gas activity in state parks and giving the state and the public advance notice of the materials used in those operations.
Impact
HB71 would add a new disclosure requirement to Ohio’s oil and gas regulatory framework by creating Revised Code section 1509.101. It would affect horizontal well owners operating in or under state parks established under Chapter 1546 and would expand the duties of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management to receive and publish chemical information. The bill does not ban drilling or change permitting standards directly, but it would impose a new reporting obligation and public posting requirement on operators working in state park areas.
Sentiment
Because the bill was only introduced and there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes, there is no formal legislative record of support or opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill’s text, the measure appears to be framed as a transparency and public-information bill, which typically draws support from environmental and public-interest advocates, while oil and gas operators may view it as an added compliance burden or as requiring disclosure of proprietary information.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between public transparency and industry confidentiality. Supporters would likely emphasize the public’s right to know what chemicals are being used in drilling near or under state parks, while opponents may argue that mandatory disclosure of all chemical components and advance notice could expose trade secrets, increase regulatory burdens, or complicate operations. Another possible issue is whether the 30-day advance disclosure requirement is practical for operators and whether posting the information online could create security, privacy, or proprietary concerns.
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