While just a slight majority of Ohio voters have ever heard of fracking, 72 percent of those polled in a recent survey want it stopped for now.
In the first statewide poll on hydraulic fracturing, a process used in drilling for natural gas and oil, about 59 percent said they've heard of or read about the method. Meanwhile, about 72 percent of the same participants said hydro-fracking should be halted until it's studied further.
Ohio Shale Coalition Executive Director Linda Woggon voiced her concerns about those results, saying there's a lot of information the public still needs to know about fracking.
"Only a slight majority have even heard of hydraulic fracturing, which has been conducted in Ohio for years without incident," said Woggon. "So it's understandable that the poll shows uncertainty about the process. We respect those concerns, and will work to better educate the public about the safety of the process even as we encourage environmental responsibility."
The results of the poll reflect Rep. Bob Hagan's thinking over the last several months.
Hagan introduced a bill Thursday calling for a moratorium on injection wells, statewide, until 2015. Fluid used in hydraulic fracturing are disposed of in the injection wells. Hagan, who spoke at the Lemon Grove in response to the poll results Thursday, said the moratorium would essentially force fracking to stop because there wouldn't be a way to dispose of wastewater.
About 43 percent of voters polled felt hydro-fracking will damage the environment. But also in the poll, 64 to 29 percent of participants said they felt that the economic benefits of drilling outweigh the environmental concerns.
"Ohio voters are conflicted on hydro-fracking," said Peter Brown, Quinnipiac's assistant director. "They recognize the economic value of drilling for fossil fuels in the state, but are worried about potential environmental risks of the specific technique: hydro-fracking."
Hagan had harsh words for the governor and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
"The department is supposed to protect our natural resources, instead they've become a shield for the gas and oil industry," said Hagan. "That's unacceptable, and that's something we want some answers to from the governor, from the speaker of the House and the legislature."
The poll of 1,610 registered voters was conducted from Jan. 9 to Jan. 16.
To read the Quinnipiac report,
click here.
