Local media and industry journals are covering the cancellation of drilling permits related to the Mountaineer Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Storage Facility, a resounding victory for clean water advocates.
Due to litigation championed by a group of environmental organizations, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) recently cancelled the Powhatan Salt Company's permits to drill three Class III solution mining wells. A coalition including Concerned Ohio River Residents had sued ODNR for issuing permits without public notice or comment, a violation of departmental policy. In response, Powhatan requested the cancellation of the Mountaineer-related permits.
Tom Sanzillo, director of finance at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, characterized Powhatan's request as a signal the project may be in jeopardy.
“This is a solid market signal that plans for a petrochemical buildout in Ohio and western Pennsylvania are on shaky ground,” he said. “Local and state economic development officials would serve the public better by looking for jobs and taxes in other areas of the economy that are actually profitable and growing and can be good neighbors to the communities that host them.”
WTOV9
Ohio Valley Resource
Hydrocarbon Engineering
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