Amy Acton Backs 3-Year Ohio Fracking Wastewater Moratorium Over 32,000-Person Water Risk
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 17
Amy Acton Backs 3-Year Ohio Fracking Wastewater Moratorium Over 32,000-Person Water Risk
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 17
Summary
Amy Acton on Thursday endorsed a three-year moratorium on new injection-well permits in Washington County and a halt to further fracking-wastewater injection there.
Marietta drove the move after toxic wastewater—containing hazardous chemicals and radioactive material—recently resurfaced, stoking fears of health damage and drinking-water contamination.
Washington County residents, local officials and water-system administrators have urged Ohio to stop the practice, warning it could threaten water sources serving 32,000 people.
Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor and former Ohio health director, said the leaks are hurting businesses and could trigger a cleanup costing as much as $1 billion.
The dispute is turning a long-running Ohio disposal practice—hundreds of millions of gallons pumped underground for years—into a live election issue.