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Chamber backs oil and gas permitting reforms; opponent warns orphan-well language could shift liabilities
Summary
Proponent testimony from the Ohio Chamber emphasized permitting and orphan-well reforms in Senate Bill 219; an opponent said the bill’s revised language removes a dedicated abandoned-well fund and could leave landowners and townships exposed while benefiting larger operators.
Tony Long, general counsel and director of energy and environmental policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, provided proponent testimony on Senate Bill 219, saying the legislation could reform oil and gas exploration, gathering and orphan-well processes to reflect modern horizontal drilling techniques and speed permitting.
Long told the committee SB 219 could address delays in leasing and permitting for state lands, update protections related to horizontal drilling, and create shorter review periods similar to earlier electricity permitting reforms. He said the bill could help the industry bring product to market and enable faster plugging of orphan wells, and he urged the committee to consider additional…
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