Ohio officials ignore climate science, approve fracking on public lands while counties ban solar and wind

A commentary in the Ohio Capital Journal argues that state officials are ignoring over a century of climate science to allow fracking in state parks and wildlife areas. The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission, composed mostly of lawyers with no science background, recently approved leases for more than 8,000 acres at Egypt Valley Wildlife Area and over 500 acres at Salt Fork State Park in a meeting lasting less than 20 minutes. The author notes that the bill enabling this, H.B. 507, passed in a lame duck session without public input. Meanwhile, many Ohio counties are using S.B. 52 to veto utility-scale wind and solar projects, often driven by misinformation from groups with ties to fossil fuel interests. The article contrasts this with the economic benefits of renewables, citing a 120 MW solar farm in Harrison County that will pay roughly $800,000 yearly in tax revenue over 35 years, replacing land that generated only about $400 a year. An Ohio Department of Health study found no public health burdens from solar farms. The piece highlights a disconnect where officials prioritize short-term revenue from fossil fuel extraction over long-term environmental and economic benefits from clean energy, all while disregarding established climate science.