SB 178 Summary

• Prohibits land application and deep well injection of brine resulting from oil and gas operations, with limited exceptions for existing contracts entered into before the effective date.

• Eliminates the per-barrel injection fee previously levied on owners of injection wells who received permits for underground injection of brine and other waste substances.

• Prohibits the conversion of wells to uses other than their original purpose by creating a standalone statute that makes well conversion illegal.

• Repeals section 1509.226 of the Revised Code, which had previously authorized surface application of brine under certain conditions.

• Maintains existing regulations for brine transportation by vehicle and requires registered transporters to comply with disposal plans and reporting requirements.