Ohio Supreme Court Accepts Jurisdiction in "Home Rule" Case
The Ohio Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction over the closely watched “home rule” case State ex rel. Morrison v. Beck Energy Corp. At issue are the state laws which give the Ohio Department of Natural Resources sole and exclusive authority to regulate oil and gas permitting, stimulation, production and completion over local ordinances to the contrary. Initially a trial court in Summit County determined that the City of Monroe Falls had the right to enforce its own application and permit requirements for oil and gas wells. The court of appeals disagreed and ruled that only ODNR had such powers. The Ohio Supreme Court is poised to make the final determination in a ruling that can be expected in the next year.