Energy plan would OK drilling in state parks

The state would add to its income, and more low-cost energy would be produced.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Drilling for oil and natural gas in state parks is among the options Ohio lawmakers are considering as part of their debate over the state’s future energy needs.

In behind-the-scenes discussions, a provision has been advanced that would allow drilling on state lands “covered by concrete, asphalt, gravel, turf, crops or fields that have plants or trees not exceeding 10 years in growth.” The proposal would create a five-member Oil and Gas Leasing board to oversee the leasing of state property for developing oil and natural gas reserves.

The idea is viewed as a way to simultaneously produce low-cost energy and increase the state’s income.

“I think there is a strong enough interest that people are going to seriously consider it,” said House Chief of Staff Scott Borgemenke.

Oil and gas companies have advanced the idea before, pushing similar action in 2005 when gas and oil prices spiked in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Republican state Rep. John Hagan of Alliance, who chairs the committee considering a sweeping energy bill, sponsored the House bill at the time. Under that unsuccessful plan, drilling companies would have been allowed to drill on state lands and under Lake Erie, an action Congress has banned. An eighth of drilling proceeds would have gone to the state.

Gov. Ted Strickland told The Plain Dealer his position on the issue would depend on the specifics.

“I understand that some of the land is not pristine,” Strickland said. “My attitude is that it would depend on the area and the location and the prior use. I would not want to take a flat approach on it. I’d like to look at it from a commonsense point of view.”

Jack Shaner, policy director for the Ohio Environmental Council, said his group vehemently opposes expanded drilling.

“Does this mean oil and gas drilling rigs next to the campground check-in? Over next to the concession stand?” he asked. “Somebody needs to think this through a little better.”

The drilling provision is part of a pending bill before another committee. That committee’s chairman, Republican state Rep. Jim McGregor of Gahanna, said he expects the drilling provision as well as thresholds for the use of alternative energy will be folded into the energy bill.

The energy legislation, proposed by Strickland, would require that by 2025 Ohio utilities get 12.5 percent of the power they sell from advanced energy sources such as clean-coal power plants, as well as another 12.5 percent from renewable sources such as solar and wind. The McGregor bill is greener, forcing Ohio utilities to get 22 percent from renewable sources only by 2020.

Borgemenke said he anticipates the House will end up with “a very strong green proposal.”

Oil and gas officials told lawmakers last month that roughly a quarter of the land owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is suitable for oil and gas recovery. They estimated that drilling 200 wells a year over the next decade would pump out $20 million in lease bonus payments and $300 million in landowner royalties.

McGregor, who worked for ODNR for 12 years, said he thinks the drilling can be done in an environmentally responsible way.