Fracking oversight needed

Fracking oversight needed

(Toledo) Blade: Gov. John Kasich extols the energy and economic-growth potential of Ohio’s oil and natural-gas reserves. Extracting these riches from the state’s shale deposits often requires a controversial but increasingly popular technique called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

The process pumps toxic chemicals and sand into underground rock formations to release trapped gas and oil. If fracking is not adequately regulated by government — including public disclosure of the poisonous substances used by drillers — it threatens groundwater, streams, air quality, and public health.

Ohio needs — and does not have — reasonable but effective rules to govern fracking. A new report ominously suggests that the natural-gas industry is making big political contributions, in Ohio and in Congress, as part of a successful decade-long lobbying campaign to escape proper oversight of fracking.

Industry campaign contributions must not be allowed to dictate the debate over fracking regulation — or cause Ohioans to believe that they will.