PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2011

Efforts to Protect Lake Erie Continue

Rep. Antonio introduces legislation to keep drill bits out of our Great Lake

Columbus, OH - On the heels of Governor John Kasich's veto of House Bill 231, legislation outlining Ohio's participation in the Great Lakes Compact, another elected official has stepped forward to defend one of Ohio's greatest natural treasurers-Lake Erie.

State Representative Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) today introduced House Bill 304, legislation that prohibits the Director of the Department of Natural Resources from issuing any permit or making any lease to take or remove oil or natural gas from and under the bed of Lake Erie.

Legislation allowing the drilling for oil and natural gas on Ohio's public lands was passed and signed by the Governor in June of this year, but a provision that would have prohibited drilling in and under Lake Erie was removed during the committee process. Despite attempts by Democrats to restore the prohibition, the bill passed without any specific mention of the Lake.

While Lake Erie currently is protected under a federal ban on drilling in the Great Lakes, the growing support for domestic drilling threatens this protection. Should Congress repeal the federal ban, Lake Erie-the shallowest Great Lake-would be a vulnerable target.

"We applaud Representative Antonio for introducing legislation that rights a wrong," said Tracy Sabetta, representing the National Wildlife Federation in Ohio. "There have been a long line of attacks on our natural resources during this General Assembly, and it is time to say unequivocally that Lake Erie should not be viewed as a pool of money for industrial exploitation."

Jack Shaner, deputy director of the Ohio Environmental Council, said, "Drilling and Lake Erie mix about as well as oil and water. The industry minimizes the risk of a devastating oil spill, but the public knows better. Ohioans don't want to risk our North Coast soaked in oil like the Gulf Coast or Alaska's Prudhoe Bay."

Supporters of the bill are calling on legislative leadership to hold hearings on the bill as soon as possible. Co-sponsors of the legislation include Representatives Foley, Hagan, R., Murray, O'Brien, Driehaus, Ramos, Williams, Fende, Boyd, and Lundy.

The text of the legislation can be read here.

-end-