Despite Sen. Troy Balderson’s, R-20th, recently voiced support of hydraulic fracturing, area officials continue to stand firmly against the mining style.
Balderson’s positive stance is fueled by the potential for job creation throughout Ohio, said Joshua Eck, Balderson’s legislative aide, adding that Ohioans are literally walking over job opportunities.
“(Fracking) is essentially Ohio’s version of the gold rush,” Eck said.
The economic advantages, which include stimulation of the local economy, Eck said, outweigh the environmental risks that hydraulic fracturing poses.
In contrast to Balderson’s stance, which he made clear at Athens County Republican Party’s annual fall dinner last Thursday, Councilman Elahu Gosney said the jobs created because of “fracking” will be slim to none.
"Many workers would be brought from out of state, which won’t stimulate the local economy,” Gosney said.
In addition to a lack of economic effect locally, Councilwoman Chris Fahl added fracking would only stimulate jobs in the short term.
“Athens wants to bring in long-term, high-paying jobs,” Fahl said. “Fracking destroys the long-term, creating a boom but then a huge bust.”
With environmental concerns in mind, Eck reiterated Balderson’s push for interested drilling companies to work responsibly and safely, such as Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, a mining company interested in drilling in Ohio.
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