EID-O's Mike Chadsey discusses regulation changes that are now in effect from Senate Bill 315:

"This month, Substitute Senate Bill 315 sponsored by State Senator Shannon Jones (R) takes effect creating the “Gold Standard” of oil and gas regulations in the country. This bill was introduced at Governor John Kasich’s request in March 2012. It was debated and changed as it moved through both the Ohio House and Senate, was signed into law in June, and becomes effective this month.

The law updates Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1509 on regulations governing crude oil and natural gas production. The legislation  improves upon existing regulations already lauded by STRONGER, an EPA supported review group composed of state regulators and independent consultants. As the law goes into effect this month it sets a foundation of even stronger protection for Ohio’s environment in advance of continued Utica Shale development. Some of new requirements required under the law include:

Increased water protection:

• The permit application requires a report on anticipated sources of water and if that water will come from the Lake Erie or the Ohio River water shed. Because Ohio signed the Great Lakes compact with several other states, and parts of Canada, Ohio must return water taken from the Lake Erie water shed.
• In addition, other regulations put into effect this year prohibit oil and natural gas development in or under Lake Erie.
• The bill also requires water testing out to a radius of 1,500 feet from the well head. This is done to establish a base line water test for future use."

READ THE REST: http://www.eidohio.org/senate-bill-315-in-the-books/