Groups allege gaps in Ohio oil and gas oversight

MARIETTA — FracTracker Alliance and Buckeye Environmental Network allege gaps in Ohio’s oversight of oil and gas operations, citing their analysis of state records and examples of leaking wells in Washington County. The groups’ report, “Rising Incidents, Lax Oversight,” draws on Ohio Department of Natural Resources incident reports, inspection records and enforcement orders. The groups contend those records show inconsistent documentation, unresolved violations and inadequate follow-through. ODNR did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the groups’ findings. FracTracker and BEN reported identifying 2,529 oil and gas incidents in ODNR records from 2015 through…