Prospect Of Fracking Causes Concern

The community gathered to learn more about the potential impact of two proposed hydraulic fracturing sites on Saturday.

One of the biggest concerns conveyed at the public forum was the fear of contaminated drinking water, 10TV’s Ashleigh Barry reported.

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, injects waste water deep into the ground in an effort to remove natural gas from the earth.

Jeff Geisel has become an opponent to the proposed sites.

"I just don't think they have all the research there. It's not good, it can't be to put poison down in the ground,” said Geisel.

Others who stand against the proposal signed petitions on Saturday that called for a moratorium on fracking in Mansfield until more is understood about the process.

Representatives with Energy In Depth, a public outreach campaign launched by the Independent Petroleum Association of America, argued that fracking has been practiced in Ohio for more than 50 years.

Those with Energy In Depth said there has never been a case of contaminated water that stemmed from fracking in Ohio.

“We feel pretty confident about the rules and regulations and enforcement here in Ohio, we feel well protected and folks should feel comfortable about that,” said Mike Chadsey, of Energy In Depth.

Some Mansfield city leaders have become outspoken against the plan, not only over concerns about contaminated water, but also over the string of earthquakes that could possibly be linked to deep wells near Youngstown.

Ellen Haring, a Mansfield Councilwoman at Large, believed more testing needed to be done.

“We are repeatedly told by the state that the regulatory laws supersede any (laws) that say a local community may have, that doesn't sit well here,” said Haring.

No timeline has been set on when crews could start the process of hydraulic fracturing.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources conducts unannounced inspections of Ohio’s injection wells every three months.

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