City of Brunswick Voices Displeasure With Ohio Drilling Law

City Council members in Brunswick, Ohio, the largest city in Medina County, are voicing concerns regarding state laws which give the Ohio Department of Natural Resources the sole authority to issue oil and gas drilling permits throughout the state. Council members are concerned that the laws do not take local zoning into consideration and effectively pre-empt any authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing operations at the local level. The mayor of Brunswick has urged the council to consider the economic benefits brought to the area by oil and gas exploration prior to voting on a proposed resolution which would formally voice their disapproval on the issue.