More than a dozen Athens area businesses and the Village of Amesville filed Friends of the Court briefs in support of the appeal by Munroe Falls, Ohio, coming before the Ohio Supreme Court this week. Athens Electric, Donkey Coffee, Laurel Valley Creamery, Sticky Pete’s, Cherry Orchard, Shew’s Orchard, Herbal Sage, Sunpower, Inc., Green Edge Gardens, Fox Natural Builders, Hyacinth Bean Florists, Snowville Creamery, and Village Bakery were among businesses supporting the appeal for local control of oil and gas drilling. Local control was taken away from Ohioans by the Ohio legislature in 2004. Amesville is joined by Broadview Heights, Euclid, Mansfield, and North Royalton submitting another Amicus brief. A third amicus brief in support of the appellants was submitted on behalf of health professionals.
At issue in this case is the ability of localities to protect their community character by exercising their traditional land use powers over oil and gas development. These powers were removed in 2004 by the Ohio legislature at the request of the oil lobby and given to the Ohio Department of Resources via HB 278. Read more…
From the proceedings (2-26-14):
With regard to dismay that citizens can not object to or appeal permits, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer pointedly asked Beck Energy’s attorney, John Keller:
Pfeifer: “But in terms of courts. There is no access to courts period. Right?”
Keller: “Because the General Assembly decided in 2004 to give the state the sole and exclusive authority…”
Pfeifer: “To be God in this case, right?”
Keller: “Pardon?”
Pfeifer: “To be God. The Director of Natural Resources is God in this case.”
And yes, despite the fact that this company, Beck, has possibly the most violations in the state- the state testified ALONGSIDE the energy company lawyer to defend their right to drill!??!
Watch the video ohiochannel.