Athens Co. fracking leak, inaction show the dire public health dangers of Ohio regulatory capture • Ohio Capital Journal

Groundwater Contamination in Ohio: A Threat to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction:

Approximately 45% of Ohioans rely on groundwater wells for clean, safe drinking water. However, recent revelations have exposed a significant threat to this vital resource. Radioactive wastewater, resulting from fracking operations, has been leaking underground, potentially contaminating the groundwater. This article highlights the alarming situation in Ohio and emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Reality of Inaction:

1. The State’s Knowledge:

• The state government was aware of the groundwater contamination issue but failed to take prompt action.
• Deference was given to the influential oil and gas industry, which continued to pump millions of gallons of fracking drilling waste into injection wells around the state.
• Reports indicate that wells in the affected areas have been plagued by migrating fracking waste for several years.

• An industry-friendly panel, appointed by the governor, allowed the leaking wells to resume leaking, worsening the “imminent danger” to the health and environment of affected communities.
• This inaction persisted for six months, further compromising the safety of the groundwater.

• Ohio’s Republican state leaders, influenced by corporate donors, prioritized the interests of the oil and gas industry over public welfare.
• Governor Mike DeWine opened state parks and public lands to out-of-state companies for drilling operations, disregarding health and environmental consequences.

Threats to Ohio’s Fresh Water:

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) warned that allowing operations to resume at three fracking waste injection wells in Athens County could have catastrophic consequences:

• Destroying critical sources of Ohio’s fresh water.
• Potential contamination of groundwater, leading to long-term health and environmental ramifications.
• Impacts on public water supplies, especially in areas heavily reliant on private groundwater wells.

Political Power and Special Interests:

Ohio’s GOP leadership has repeatedly prioritized special interests over public welfare:

• Utility ratepayers, public school families, and communities with leaking injection wells have been callously threatened by the state’s oil and gas regulatory regime.
• ODNR had reports about failing wells in the region since 2019, but it took nearly four years to suspend operations at the most dangerous sites.
• The oil and gas commission, influenced by powerful interests, lifted the suspension at three problem sites, leading to documented leakage and further contamination.

Call for Action:

In a crisis with grave implications for human lives and public welfare, corporate profit should not determine public action. It is crucial to address the groundwater contamination issue in Ohio to protect the health and well-being of communities and align with the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
• SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
• SDG 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 6.3: Presence of hazardous chemicals and materials in water sources.
• Indicator for SDG 12.4: Amount of toxic wastewater released into the environment.
• Indicator for SDG 13.3: Level of education and awareness on the impacts of fracking and wastewater contamination.
• Indicator for SDG 16.5: Number of corruption cases or instances of favoritism towards the oil and gas industry.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: ohiocapitaljournal.com

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