Senate Bill 219, introduced by state Sen. Al Landis, R-Dover, had its first hearing this week before the Ohio Senate Energy Committee. It’s the first major update to Ohio’s oil and gas laws in more than a decade. The bill creates a protected fund to plug and clean up abandoned wells, streamlines notifications, and modernizes regulations — winning strong bipartisan backing from industry and environmental groups alike.

While focused on oil and gas, the bill also impacts manufacturers near orphaned wells by ensuring steady funding for remediation, reducing environmental risks like groundwater contamination and methane leaks that affect industrial operations and compliance. Streamlined processes may free land for industrial development, aiding manufacturers’ expansion.

Though it imposes no new taxes or regulations on manufacturers, the bill could spur remediation jobs, indirectly benefiting manufacturing sectors tied to energy or equipment supply. As it advances through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association will continue to monitor its progress. 10/23/2025