The Quinnipiac University's poll showed Ohioans have mixed opinions regarding fracking and the oil and gas boom.
Statement from the Network for Oil and Gas Accountability and Protection
It is clear from the results of Quinnipiac University's latest poll that while the oil-and-gas industry has spent millions of dollars in an attempt to sway residents into believing that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is safe, Ohioans remain deeply skeptical and want fracking stopped until it can be proven safe.
While economic growth remains a top priority for all of us, it is evident that Ohioans are not ready to risk their health and safety for empty promises made by an industry poised to exploit our state with unproven and dangerous drilling technologies.
We already know the industry has not told us the whole truth about the risk of leasing our property, the real number of jobs they claim will be created and even the cause of the Youngstown earthquakes. It took a 4.0 magnitude earthquake to wake up Governor Kasich. How many more times do things like this need to happen before our state leaders stop talking and start acting on real measures to protect us?
The fact that 72 percent of Ohioans want hydraulic fracturing stopped is something that all of Ohio's politicians need to be aware of and heed.
We ask Governor Kasich and other elected leaders to listen to the vast majority of Ohioans and immediately halt hydraulic fracturing activity in the state of Ohio until it can be proven safe.
NEOGAP is a nonprofit community-advocacy group that is regarded as the area's repository for in-depth information on the impacts of gas and oil drilling in Ohio.
For more information on NEOGAP, see www.neogap.org or call 440-940-OGAP (6427).
Statement from Thomas E. Stewart, executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association:
The Quinnipiac poll about Ohioans' attitudes toward drilling and hydraulic fracturing exemplifies the continuing confusion about oil and gas development in the state. While an astounding 85 percent of respondents acknowledge the job-creating power and positive economic impact oil-and-gas exploration and development will have on Ohio, 72 percent think it is a good idea to halt hydraulic fracturing in the state until further study. Ohio cannot have it both ways.
A ban on hydraulic fracturing would result in increased energy costs and bring oil-and-gas related capital investment and job growth in Ohio to a grinding halt, just as the positive effects of both are currently reviving once-struggling communities throughout the state.
Why the disparity between the desire for jobs and the fear of hydraulic fracturing? The blame can be firmly placed on the shoulders of the very vocal oil-and-gas opposition who have used scare tactics and misinformation to keep the public from getting the facts and knowing the truth. Hydraulic fracturing has been used safely for more than 60 years and on more than 80,000 wells in Ohio. It is effective, safe and a vital key to Ohio's economic resurgence and America's energy security.
The Ohio Oil and Gas Association is a trade association with more than 1,900 members involved in the exploration, production and development of crude-oil and natural-gas resources within the state of Ohio.
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