Who Regulates

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

• Issues permits for drilling oil/gas wells in Ohio.
• Sets requirements for proper location, design and construction requirements for wells.
• Inspects and oversees drilling activity.
• Requires controls and procedures to prevent discharges and releases.
• Requires that wells no longer used for production are properly plugged.
• Requires registration for facility owners with the capacity to withdraw water at a quantity greater than 100,000 gallons per day.

• Requires drillers obtain authorization for construction activity where there is an impact to a wetland, stream, river or other water of the state.
• Requires drillers obtain an air permit-to-install and operate (PTIO) for units or activities that have emissions of air pollutants.

• Sets design requirements for on-site pits/lagoons used to store drill cuttings and brine/flowback water.
• Requires proper closure of on-site pits/lagoons after drilling is completed.
• Sets standards for managing drill cuttings and sediments left on-site.

• Requires proper management of solid wastes shipped off-site for disposal.

• Regulates the disposal of brine and oversees operation of Class II wells used to inject oil/gas-related waste fluids.
• Reviews specifications and issues permits for Class II wells.
• Sets design/construction requirements for Class II underground injection wells.
• Responds to questions/concerns from citizens regarding safety of drinking water from private wells from oil/natural gas drilling.

• Registers transporters hauling brine and oil/gas drilling-related wastewater in Ohio.