Kent State: No Fracking Plans for Airport

State official says locals control ability to permit, deny hydraulic fracturing on university land

Here's some good news for neighbors and environmentalists — Kent State University officials say there are no plans for hydraulic fracturing at the Kent State Airport or other university owned land. The question of whether or not fracking for oil and gas wells can or should be allowed on university land — essentially public property — is one that's been raised multiple times, particularly in neighboring Kent, as area residents and communities seek to prevent harmful side effects sometimes associated with the drilling practice. For now, it's an issue Stow residents living near the 300-acre airport don't have to worry about. "Unless otherwise determined by the state, the university's current administration has no plans to initiate drilling on…

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UPDATE: Council Decides to Not Lease Land for Gas Well Drilling Purposes at Church of New Hope

Council decided the contract with PEP Drilling was not acceptable.

The well can remain at its current depth, but Stow City Council decided Aug. 6 that it will not accept a contract to lease mineral rights for eight-tenths of a piece of city land needed to make a PEP Drilling hydraulic fracturing well deeper at the Church of New Hope. Council's chambers were filled with clapping residents who opposed the drilling and were happy the legislation will die in committee. (Meaning, council decided it will not even vote on anything.) The last known contract offered to the city by PEP was $20,000 plus royalty money.  Fill-in Law Director Amber Kerek said she could not go into detail about the contract that was presented to council Monday evening because she could not breach attorney-client privileges. But, she …

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Fracking and Its Future: Ask Panelists Your Questions Now

The Civic Commons is holding a three-day online conference about the future of fracking and features three experts from the field.