Ohio pumps toxic fracking waste from other states underground and hopes it stays put. It won’t

Ohio has silently assumed a disturbing role as the region’s dumping ground for toxic fracking waste, and the implications could be catastrophic for future generations.

Today in Ohio podcast hosts discussed Monday how Ohio, unlike other states with fracking operations, has done little to limit the danger while passing laws that allow frackers to operate in complete secrecy. People cannot even find out what poisons are in the toxic fracking liquids pumped into the earth beneath our feet.

Stark numbers tell the story: Ohio currently operates 232 active Class 2 injection wells for fracking waste disposal, with 20 more under construction. By comparison, Pennsylvania—which has comparable fracking activity—has approved just 16 such wells, while West Virginia maintains 70.

“Ohio has just become a rubber stamp for these wells, which is very scary for Ohioans,” said Courtney Astolfi, quoting an expert’s assessment of the state’s approach to regulating these waste facilities.

The discussion revealed how this massive disparity developed over time. While Pennsylvania wisely delegated oversight to the federal EPA, creating a more rigorous approval process for injection wells, Ohio sought independent regulatory authority with no teeth, essentially creating a fast-track for waste disposal approval.

“Ohio will pay for this.,” predicted Chris Quinn. “Time will eventually catch up and this poison will move.”

The concern extends beyond just the sheer volume of wells. The podcast highlighted that the waste being injected at high pressure contains unknown toxic chemicals, thanks to industry-friendly legislation that shields frackers.

“Remember, our lawmakers passed a law that said these companies don’t even have to say what’s in the toxic stew. So we don’t even know what they’ve pumped into the ground in Ohio because our lawmakers are so in the pocket of the gas and oil industry,” Quinn pointed out.

A recent lawsuit filed by the Buckeye Environmental Network against the Ohio Department of Natural Resources challenges the approval of two new injection wells near Marietta, close to the Ohio River and other water sources. Environmental groups contend that Ohio used outdated regulations that failed to consider water sources within a reasonable distance of the proposed wells.

The problem, as discussed Tuesday, is that when substances are under pressure, they seek release, and the earth’s natural movements create fissures through which these chemicals can migrate.

Listen to the discussion here.

Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.