After an hour-long presentation with some speakers from the Buckeye Environmental Network and the Warren Community Water Board of Trustees, the public was encouraged to ask questions or share their concerns about injection wells on Tuesday night. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

VINCENT — Members of the community gathered to discuss concerns about injection wells during a public meeting Tuesday night in the auditorium of the Warren High School on Tuesday night.

The discussion was led by the Buckeye Environmental Network and organizer Bev Reed.

After the issue has gained attention over the course of a few months, there were about 150 people in attendance.

Injection wells store brine water used in oil and gas drilling operations underground. Concerns have been raised that the water has impacted traditional oil and gas wells and could affect drinking water sources.

The meeting was intended as an opportunity to share more information with the community as well as answer their questions and voice concerns. It was noted that another goal was to gain support to prevent initiation of another DeepRock Disposal Solutions Class II injection well near Marietta. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, there are five DeepRock Solutions injection wells around Marietta.

Landowner and oil producer Bob Lane speaks to the audience at a public meeting about injection well concerns at Warren High School Tuesday night. He talked about the lawsuit he’s filed against injection well companies and how the brine has halted oil production at his wells in Washington County. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“Washington County had the second highest volume of waste injected in 2023,” said Reed. “The number was 250 million gallons of waste in one year.”

Wastewater injection sites are classified by what is being put in. Class II, which were predominately focused on during the meeting, are exclusively for fluids associated with oil and natural gas, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

“Wastewater is then reinjected at high pressure deep within the rock formations, and Ohio has 232 active injection sites … and 19 more permitted in construction,” said Reed.

Concern in Washington County gained traction when local oil producers and landowners like Bob Lane and Bob Wilson reported oil wells flooded with brine since 2019, according to the Buckeye Environmental Network.

ODNR confirmed the Redbird #4 injection wells have leaked underground since 2019 and traveled to nearby oil pumps which were tested and confirmed with brine.

Buckeye Environmental Network Organizer Bev Reed gives the opening presentation about injection wells during the public meeting on Tuesday night. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Four injection waste wells in Athens County were suspended by ODNR after it was determined they posed a danger to the surrounding environment.

Reed displayed videos of injection failures that spewed brine into the air and contaminated nearby creeks.

Warren Community Water Board of Trustees members Steven Hutchinson and Randy Beardsley were among some of the speakers at the meeting. With some comments from the audience stating their displeasure about the lack of action from state Sen. Brian Chavez and state Rep. Kevin Ritter, Beardsley said they are just following the laws the Legislature has approved.

“It’s never been political; it won’t be political; it’s all about safe water,” said Beardsley.

Beardsley said he met one-on-one with Chavez, who told him he wants to see new rules proposed to change rules regarding injection wells.

Warren Community Water Board of Trustees members Steve Hutchinson and Randy Beardsley spoke at a public meeting about injection well concerns in the auditorium of Warren High School on Tuesday night. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The audience responded with skepticism, and it was acknowledged that Chavez is the former CEO of DeepRock Disposal Solutions, which owns six injection wells in Washington County.

“Silence is acceptance,” said Hutchinson. “If everyone in this room wants to see things change, then we need each and every person to contact ODNR.”

After the presentations and speakers, the public was encouraged to ask questions which all focused on what could be done and how the injection wells could impact the groundwater.

Lane spoke about his personal experience and how his oil production came to a halt as a result of brine from nearby injection wells. He has been in a four-year lawsuit against the companies who own the injection wells like Tallgrass Energy and Redbird.

“If you’re an American citizen and you own property in America and someone trespasses on that property, then you’re due for just compensation and a speedy trial,” he said.

Upon arrival at the meeting, attendees were encouraged to sign in with contact information so the Buckeye Environmental Network could reach out to them. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The remainder of the meeting focused on brainstorming ideas and how to take action moving forward. Everyone was split into groups where they discussed ideas on spreading the word and reporting information to the ODNR.

Reed encouraged everyone to fill out the community survey on the Buckeye Environmental Network’s Facebook page.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com.

Over 150 people attended a public meeting focused on concerns about injection wells Tuesday night in the auditorium at Warren High School. (Photo by Amber Phipps)