ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Jill Hunkler of Barnesville spoke to the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, asking members to further oppose a plan to install two saltwater injection wells at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Ohio 331.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued permits late in 2020 to New Jersey-based Omni Energy Co. permitting the wells. Multiple local residents and officials have objected and raised a variety of concerns ranging from pollution to ground stability and increased truck traffic.

There are several residences, businesses and county agencies in the surrounding area, along with the Belmont Correctional Institution state prison.

Hunkler said ODNR still must issue an injection permit and asked commissioners to help gather comments from other officials to submit to the state organization.

“I have been working with the area residents there, and the situation is pretty concerning,” Hunkler said. “I am asking you to help us.

“Whether you support the industry or not, anybody that has any sense at all and has seen the oil and gas infrastructure and the truck traffic knows that this is going to be a great hindrance,” she said.

Hunkler added she does not believe the wells will bring jobs to the area.

She also voiced opposition to a possible ethane cracker plant along Ohio 7.

PTT Global Chemical America has been contemplating such a project for close to five years, but the final investment decision has been delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hunkler also spoke against the developing Mountaineer Natural Gas Liquids storage facility in Monroe County. She said she feared the operation would bring multiple injection wells and pipelines.

“I want you to consider the scope of that and the impact it could have on this region,” she said. “These industries are toxic and a great threat to the Ohio Valley and our children’s future.”

She added that the organization Concerned Ohio River Residents will be holding a Zoom meeting at 6:30 p.m. today and accepting public comments.

The public can RSVP online at bit.ly/MountaineerNGLMeeting or call 646-558-8656.

The meeting ID is 882-4551-5139.

Commissioner Jerry Echemann said the board has spoken out in opposition to the injection wells on the basis of their proposed location.

“There wasn’t a whole lot more we can do. We’re not part of the permitting process for all of these things,” Echemann said.

“I think the board in general agrees with you in this instance of the Omni injection well,” Commissioner Josh Meyer said, adding they have and will continue to address state representatives and ODNR. “It’s a horrific location.”

“It’s not completely (over),” Commissioner J.P. Dutton said. “There are requirements Omni’s going to have to meet to ODNR. … I think state law needs to be amended when it comes to injection wells.”

Omni’s attorney has stated all precautions will be taken and the company will be monitored and adhere to ODNR regulations. It intends to proceed quickly. The company could be ready to apply for a permit to operate the wells by late spring or early summer.