energy development

Legislation addressing orphan oil and gas wells landowners contend with throughout the state was signed into law by Gov. Kasich on June 29.

“Currently 250,000 vertical and horizontal wells have been drilled in the state with potentially thousands of them being orphaned, meaning their owners are untraceable,” said Jenna Beadle, OFBF director of state policy. “Our members are often plagued with one or more orphan wells on their property and this legislation will encourage more landowners to report the existence of orphan wells on their property and create more financial resources to begin plugging these wells.”

The legislation alleviates several of the challenges associated with orphaned wells. Significantly, it creates a prioritization structure that will cause Ohio Department of Natural Resources to evaluate these wells and develop a strategy to begin quickly addressing them in order of urgency.

Wells would be classified as:

• Distressed – high priority
• Moderate – medium priority
• Maintenance – low priority

This scoring matrix causes ODNR to evaluate these wells and begin quickly addressing orphaned wells that are the most hazardous to the surrounding environment.

Also, landowners will no longer be penalized on their federal income taxes for receiving financial assistance from the ODNR’s Orphan Well Program to plug an orphaned well.

Ohio Farm Bureau membership

My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

New and beginning farmers
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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