OGAP Praises Bill To Boost Natural Gas Production

Article Presented By Horizon Connects

(Columbus/Chillicothe)- The Ohio Gas Access Partnership (OGAP) has applauded co-sponsors State Representative Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) and State Representative Jon Cross (R-Kenton) on the recent introduction of House Bill 685.

“Ohio has become a dominant natural gas energy producer, but not all regions of the state have access to this abundant, local resource,” said Eric Phillips, OGAP chairman.  “There are areas of the state that have limited or no access to additional supplies of natural gas and this limits  those communities’ ability to grow and add jobs in the future.”

Tammy Eallonardo, Economic Development for Ross CIC said- “Ross County is one of the many counties in Ohio that struggle to attract new industries and support existing manufacturers due to a limited access to natural gas.  Legislation recently introduced by State Representative Jon Cross and Representative Jay Edwards will create a series of programs and incentives geared toward lowering energy costs and growing energy infrastructure in the state.”

According to Representatives Cross & Edwards, the legislation is modeled after successful economic development programs already being utilized in Ohio.  The bill will create programs and incentives geared toward lowering energy costs and growing energy infrastructure in the state.

“OGAP would like to thank both State Representative Jay Edwards and State Representative Jon Cross for their leadership on this important issue and as a coalition of local governments we call on the General Assembly to pass this legislation as quickly as possible,” said Ben Vollrath, OGAP Vice-Chair. “By lowering the cost of building energy infrastructure in the state, gas companies will be able to build to growing businesses in communities that need it and provide that energy at a competitive and affordable price.”  

“We can’t afford for energy infrastructure to bypass whole communities in this state,” said Phillips.  “With prices going up everywhere, we really need these incentives to encourage new energy infrastructure investment and accessibility in communities across Ohio.”