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ODNR Issues Permits to 2 Belmont Injection Wells to Allow Startup

We have some exciting, and exclusive, news to share with the MDN audience. We previously told you that the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) was behaving like a child, dragging its collective heels to prevent two side-by-side injection wells in Belmont County developed by Omni Energy from beginning operation (see Omni Energy Sues ODNR 2nd Time for Blocking 2 Injection Wells). Omni had to sue the ODNR, for a second time, in Ohio Supreme Court, over ODNR’s refusal to issue the permits and attempts to add new conditions not found in the regulatory code. The good news is that ODNR, under intense pressure, relented and on Friday issued permits for both wells to begin operations.
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Omni Energy Sues ODNR 2nd Time for Blocking 2 Injection Wells

For whatever reason, the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) is behaving like a child with its heels dug in, refusing to do what it’s supposed to do. In July 2019 MDN told you about New Jersey-based Omni Energy Group and their application to build two new injection wells near St. Clairsville (see Belmont County Injection Well Plan Stirs Opposition from Coal Co.). ODNR refused to do its regulatory duty to rule on permits to build the wells. Omni took ODNR’s dereliction of duty to the Ohio Supreme Court and in December 2020 the Supremes told ODNR to get off the pot and do something (see OH Supreme Court Forces ODNR to Advance 2 Injection Well Permits).
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Accident Kills Marcellus Shale Rig Worker in Fairview, WV

Monday night, an Omni Energy Services Corp. worker died when a rig being used to drill shallow exploratory holes for Marcellus Shale seismic testing overturned and crushed him. The accident happened at the Loveridge Mine preparation plant property owned by CONSOL Energy in Fairview (Marion County), WV. The accident was not related to CONSOL’s coal mining operations at the property.

The few details that we know thus far:

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