Save Ohio Parks
Coverage of Save Ohio Parks in the Nexus archive.
- Steubenville accepts $1.1 million bid to frack 157 acres of its own land, including two parks
Steubenville, Ohio, accepted a $1.1 million bid from Ascent Resources – Utica to frack 157 acres of its land, including Beatty Park and Jim Woods Park. The city council approved the lease of 19 parcels, with one council member opposing the decision. The funds will go into the city’s general fund, and the move follows Ohio’s state-level efforts to lease public lands for fracking.
- More than 15,000 acres of Ohio public land approved to be fracked by out-of-state companies
The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission approved 21 bids to frack over 15,000 acres of public land, including areas in Egypt Valley Wildlife Area and Jockey Hollow Wildlife Area. Out-of-state companies like Gulfport Appalachia, Ascent Resources, and Grenadier Energy III secured bids with financial incentives tied to production. The decision follows Ohio law requiring the selection of the 'highest and best bid' for public land.
- Ohio has blocked a lot of wind and solar. Its residents pay the price.
Ohio has blocked over 5.3 gigawatts of solar and wind projects in the past 12 years, including the 800-megawatt Oak Run Solar Project, leading to higher electricity prices and missed opportunities to reduce emissions. State laws and court decisions, such as a 2014 wind turbine setback rule and Senate Bill 52, have restricted renewable energy development while allowing fossil fuel and nuclear projects.