RESIDENTS STAND in line prior to a previous meeting concerning injector wells being built in western Belmont County.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is holding a long-awaited public meeting 12:30-2:30 p.m. Friday to hear public concerns about two proposed wastewater injection wells at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Ohio 331, but the timing and virtual venue of the meeting has many raising objections.

In addition to government officials, local business owner Robert E. Murray has objected to the plan.

The intended well has been a point of contention and distress for residents, businesses and local governments since it was announced last year that New Jersey-based Omni Energy Group was seeking a permit through ODNR.

The Belmont County Board of Commissioners sent a letter to ODNR protesting the virtual meeting plan, as did Richland Township Trustees Rick Ferrell, Kathy Kaluger and Greg Clark.

“We previously requested on behalf of business owners, residents, local colleges and churches that a public hearing be scheduled so that people could address their concerns. ODNR responded that it’s representatives would grant that request and come to Belmont County. It is vitally important that before a decision is made, that ODNR honor that request. A virtual meeting will prevent many from being able to address concerns,” the trustees’ letter states.

“The people of Belmont County and its officials have embraced the oil and gas industry. … But there are times the people need to be heard when they feel that a location is not suitable for its purpose,” the letter goes on. “Please reconsider this virtual meeting and postpone the meeting until a public hearing can be safely held.”

Prior trustee meetings on the matter have been attended by hundreds from in and around Richland Township. Their concerns have included expected heavy traffic to and from the wells, possible pollution and its health effects, as well as the proposed site’s proximity to residences, businesses, county government facilities, Belmont Correctional Institution, Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern.

“Since this was announced, we have not had one person that did not have an issue with this location,” Ferrell said afterward.

Ferrell said the online format is not convenient for many residents who are older and unfamiliar with the technology involved. He said the date of Good Friday also would hinder many who are at religious observances. He said some have said they felt shut out of the meeting. “You feel helpless in this situation.”

In July, the Richland Township trustees voted unanimously to indefinitely table approval of a permit allowing the company ingress from U.S. 40 onto Pickering Road, which includes driveway access to the site of Omni Energy Group. They also indefinitely tabled a road use maintenance agreement that would allow the company to use 265 feet of Pickering Road for construction of the wells, drilling vertical injection wells, and ongoing operations.

Ferrell said he hoped these measures would hinder the wells if the state permit is approved.

“We have had to make difficult decisions, but those decisions are strictly based on what’s most beneficial to Richland Township and its residents,” he said.

Murray, chairman of Murray NewCo which was formed to acquire the assets of Murray Energy Corp. while it is in bankruptcy proceedings, has long maintained operations in the area with a corporate headquarters on National Road near the site. Murray leveled criticism against the proposed well and ODNR.

“It’s a very, very bad proposal. It’s good for the interest in New Jersey but terrible for the people of Belmont County. They might as well put it in Times Square in New York. It’s closer to New Jersey,” he said.

“It’s just preposterous that someone would propose putting 100, 200 trucks a day, not knowing the material they’re hauling, and I’m concerned, too, about the material they’re pumping underground, because we don’t know much about that, either,” he said.

Murray referred to his background as a geologist and mining engineer and expressed concern that pumping sufficient material underground will disrupt the integrity of subterranean rock.

“We’ll have all sorts of earthquakes,” he said, adding he believes ODNR’s duties are to put the interests of local residents in Ohio first before the interests of a New Jersey company.

“I told the director of the ODNR that they’re going to have litigation either way if they go ahead with this … virtual meeting,” the coal executive in his 80s said. “I don’t know how to do some of those things they tell you you have to do with computers to get into the virtual hearing, let alone most of the people my age.”

ODNR spokesman Adam Schroeder said there is no timeline for a decision on the permit, but it may occur soon after reviewing the public meeting. He said on Tuesday that the meeting remains scheduled for Friday.

“We do recognize that it is a religious holiday for some, but it is a day that the state is open for business, so we’re proceeding,” he said, adding that virtual meetings are becoming a common practice among businesses and public entities during the pandemic. “We’re hopeful that people will be able to join us. … If for some reason they don’t get through right away, they should keep trying. We’re going to hope that after people ask their question or state their opinion they may choose to leave the meeting and allow others to be able to sign on.”

He said the meeting will have a capacity of 200 participants. The public may call in or stream the meeting using WebEX.

More information can be found at http://oilandgas.ohiodnr.gov/division-updates/post/information-to-access-virtual-public-meeting.