Coalition urges opposition to Youngstown anti-fracking charter amendment

Coalition urges opposition to Youngstown anti-fracking charter amendment

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley Coalition for Job Growth and Investment, a group that helped defeat a Youngstown anti-fracking charter amendment in May, is urging city residents not to sign petitions to place a similar ballot initiative in front of voters in the November election.

The group had a news conference today at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber office in downtown Youngstown.

City voters in May rejected the charter amendment 56.85 percent to 43.15 percent.

To get back on the ballot, supporters of the charter amendment need petitions with 1,562 valid signatures.

Opponents to the amendment — that would make it illegal to drill for gas and oil in the city — say the proposal, if passed, is unenforceable because the state has complete control over regulating fracking. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has previously said on a number of occasions that fracking is controlled by the state.

The bill includes one change in language compared to the previous version, exempting manufactured products, including the sale of components and materials used in oil and gas exploration, from the proposed ban.

But coalition members say the proposed amendment language is still too broad and unconstitutional.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com