Local governments generate income from gas, oil wells

CLEVELAND (AP) — More and more local governments are turning to natural gas and oil wells on their properties to generate revenue in challenging economic times. Many, however, are starting to reconsider those decisions because of safety and quality-of-life concerns.

About 10 percent of the 1,068 wells drilled in Ohio last year were on public property, according to the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. Local governments in northeast Ohio are turning to wells at a rapid rate: At least 10 Cuyahoga County towns and school districts have wells.

But some communities are starting to turn them down.

Mayor Bruce Rinker of Mayfield says the village will not consider leasing public land for wells because safety and quality of life take precedence. The village is considering creating parcels of land that combine village property with residential property, so that wells can be dug on private property and the village can spend royalties on the affected area.

In Highland Heights, the city council voted to renege on a lease agreement for two gas and oil wells in the community park. The drilling company that had the lease has sued. A citizen group has gathered enough petition signatures to place an amendment on the ballot to prohibit mining, logging and drilling on public lands.

Firefighters in Gates Mills have responded to 20 safety problems at 43 wells in the last two years, including three on village property. They’ve had to shut down leaking wells and have had to wait for hours at times for a gas company to respond.

Out of frustration, the village has passed a moratorium on participating in drilling until the state addresses safety regulations, said Mayor Connie White.