Rep. Driehaus Speaks at Anti-Fracking Press Conference

COLUMBUS – State Representative Denise Driehaus (D – Cincinnati) spoke with several Democratic colleagues and interested parties at a press conference held today on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse calling for hearing on House Bills 345 and 351.  This press conference was in response to the most recent earthquake as a result of injection well activity in Youngstown, Ohio. 
 
Rep. Driehaus and Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (D – Columbus) introduced HB 345 which places a moratorium on fracking while the US EPA investigates the proper regulations that are needed for the industry while ensuring a safe environment for the people of Ohio.  HB 351 (introduced by Representatives Antonio and Fedor) would make the fracking process more transparent.  Both of these bills have been referred to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
 
Rep. Driehaus issued the following statement:
 
“This is a reasonable piece of legislation.  Let’s pause and let the US EPA complete their study on fracking and decide how we in Ohio choose to move forward.  We introduced the bill in October and have not yet received a hearing in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  I have written a letter to Chairman Hall’s office and I know that hundreds of concerned citizens from across Ohio have written, emailed, and called asking for a hearing on HB 345.  I expect to get a hearing so that we can understand how we can protect the citizens of Ohio.
 
I’m from Cincinnati and I’ve been asked what fracking has to do with Cincinnati, Ohio.  The answer is that we’re concerned about the impacts of fracking on the entire state of Ohio.  I have spoken to business owners that buy, sell, and grow local products from across Ohio and they are terrified of what fracking will do to their businesses.  Agriculture is the number one industry in our state.  If the water, our land, and the fields are contaminated, how do we survive?  This is about jobs.  It’s about the Main Street jobs that require clean water, clean, food, and clean products to thrive.”