Kasich to formalize Lake Erie drilling ban

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. John Kasich is giving some added authority to the federal ban on Lake Erie drilling.

Kasich plans to sign an executive order Wednesday at a Fish Ohio Day event in Port Clinton. It will put in place a state directive to accompany an already existing federal ban.

Spokesman Rob Nichols said past governors have traditionally echoed the federal ban with a state-level order, but that such an order was never signed by former Gov. Ted Strickland.

Kasich will be joined at the event by Scott Nally director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Jim Zehringer, director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources; and local tourism officials.