Virtual meeting regarding proposed Belmont County injection wells sparks controversy

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio —

A proposed injection well site in Belmont County is generating a lot of controversy.

Local leaders have been waiting for a public meeting, which is now going virtual.

ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) scheduled a virtual public meeting on the proposed injection wells. However, county commissioners and township trustees are voicing their opposition to it.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday at 12:30 p.m.

"We're extremely frustrated, in light of everything we've been dealing with the past few weeks, just basic county operations, that we're now spending time answering residents' concerns and reaching out to ODNR about the make-up of this meeting, it's just horrendous timing,” said Belmont County Commission President JP Dutton.

Dutton, along with Richland Township Trustee Chairman Rick Ferrell said last year they were advised by ODNR representatives would come to Belmont County for an in-person public hearing. Now, it will be virtual instead.

"To have a virtual meeting where you are not hearing the people, it's wrong,” Ferrell said."

Both the county and the township are sending letters of opposition to ODNR, Gov. DeWine and state representatives.

Public Information Officer Adam Schroeder said his office now has all necessary information needed to complete its review, however the COVID-19 pandemic prohibits an in-person meeting. He understands the concerns.

To be part of the virtual meeting, click here.

"We were hoping to have the meeting in Belmont County, we had started looking at two different location's calendars when the stay-at-home order went into effect,” Schroeder explained.

The meeting is limited to 200 participants who can ask questions or comment via phone or computer.

“I really think that once the division holds this meeting, we'll make a decision one way or another,” he said.

The county and township have already voiced opposition to the location of the proposed injection wells - a field situated between a busy intersection of I-70, U.S. 40 and Ohio 331.

Omni Energy Group of New Jersey applied for the permit.

"We're not against injection wells,” Ferrell said. “For the most part, everybody knows that we have to get rid of this waste, but there are areas which would be more appropriate to do so.”

County leaders say they will continue to push for an in-person meeting once the pandemic is over.

To be part of the meeting, click here.