Environmental Business Journal, Climate Change Business Journal, Environmental Industry Research Reports, Climate Change Industry Research Reports, Segment and Market Data Packs, EBI Primary Research Survey Results, Newsletters, Subscriptions

   A series of small earthquakes in northeastern Ohio—and a magnitude 4.0 event on New Year’s Eve—suspected to be linked to the deep-well disposal of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” operations in shale gas exploration and production (E&P) in the region, has prompted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to suspend operations at five deep wells near Youngstown while experts investigate the causes of the seismic activity further. Oil and gas companies have said that they don’t believe the seismic activity is related to frac water disposal, but one geology expert advising the state has asserted that one well where operations have been suspended “almost certainly” caused the New Year’s Eve quake. Ohio Governor John Kasich, who supports expanded production of shale gas in the region, has indicated that his office could announce an extension on the ban of operations at the wells this week. Nearly 180 injection wells in Ohio accept wastewater for disposal.