Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council reveals the significant health threats posed by radioactive oil and gas waste. Despite decades of research showing the risk unregulated waste from the industry poses to workers and communities, there are still no meaningful federal safeguards for the management and disposal of radioactive waste from oil and gas drilling, and states have not filled in the gap.
In Ohio, state legislators have proposed House Bill 282 and Senate Bill 171, which would expand spreading of toxic radioactive oil and gas waste fluids on Ohio roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots for dust suppression and ice melting. This is the third legislative effort to expand brine spreading and eliminate Ohio’s already lax oversight. Although the bills appeared to be on the fast track to passage this legislative session, massive public outcry and concerns raised by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources managed to stall the legislation until the fall legislative session resumes.
“This report confirms what Ohio residents have been concerned about for years: Unchecked spreading of radioactive waste in our communities poses unacceptable health risks to Ohioans,” said Sierra Club Campaign Representative Shelly Corbin. “When state legislators return in the fall, it is critical that they listen to the science, protect the health of our families over the desires of fossil fuel executives, and reject these dangerous bills.”
“When is the health and safety of Ohio residents going to become a priority for the Ohio legislature? We are sick to death of these handouts to the oil and gas industry that poison our families and the environment,” said Teresa Mills, Executive Director of the Buckeye Environmental Network. “Oil and gas waste should be treated as the hazardous radioactive waste that it is."
“This timely report acknowledges what Ohio residents have known for 10 years. Oil and gas brine has been and will always be radioactive,” said Roxanne Groff, member of the Ohio Brine Task Force. “This report underscores that the Ohio General Assembly is out of touch with the facts and the science. To reduce regulation on this toxic waste is ludicrous."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.