COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA) and the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OEC Action Fund) will host a joint press call to discuss the state’s idle and orphan well program, along with changes to House Bill 225. The bill was approved this week in a unanimous 92-0 vote by the Ohio House.
The bill has broad support from Ohio’s oil and gas industry and the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, who are in agreement that plugging the state’s idle and orphan wells will protect public health, safety and the environment. The groups will be discussing the issue in depth and answering any questions in a conference call format on Wednesday, January 24, at 9:30 a.m.
WHAT:
Statewide media call regarding House Bill 225 and idle and orphan oil and gas wells. Orphaned wells are improperly abandoned oil or gas wells that are no longer in production. They are often several decades old, and most were drilled before Ohio adopted its first oil and gas well regulations in the 1960s.
SPEAKERS:
Melanie Houston — Director, Climate Programs, OEC Action Fund
Mike Chadsey — Director of Public Relations, OOGA
Tom Stewart – Interim Chief of Staff, OOGA
WHEN:
Wednesday, January 24 at 9:30 a.m.
CALL INFORMATION:
Dial 1-888-912-9811, no code
AGENDA:
Welcome and introductions
Brief overview of idle and orphan wells
HB 225 — Why OEC and OOGA support legislation
HB 225 — Next steps
Q&A with media
Media planning to attend should contact David Miller at DMiller@theOEC.org or 419-944-1986 for additional details.