COLUMBUS, Ohio - The rapid growth of the oil and gas industry is changing the faces of many of Ohio's small towns. A new analysis finds a correlation between certain public safety standards and permits to frack for natural gas in counties over the Utica shale formation.

The report from FracTracker looked at road safety and crime rates in the 14 counties with the most Utica permits issued between 2009 and 2014.

According to report author Ted Auch, they found the rates changed faster in those counties than in the rest of the state.

"Crashes and commercial vehicle enforcement are increasing by about 6.9% and 8.9% per year across these counties," Auch said. "At the state level they're increasing by 6 and 2.8% respectively."

The report also found some counties experiencing significantly higher crime rates, including more felony charges, as well as resisting-arrest, weapons and suspended-license violations.

The report used data provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, with 2009 as a starting point, since the first Utica permit was issued in September of 2010.

Auch said increases in drug violations are likely a byproduct of changes in culture. But other arrest categories and crashes are directly related to the industry and its transient workforce.

He said there's been some pushback between local and migratory culture.

"They don't have a lot of socio-economic equity in the community they're living in at the time," said Auch. "They're coming into a place that they don't know, and they'll be gone soon enough. That's a big stressor right now."

Supporters of oil and gas development say it creates jobs and promotes energy independence. And some homeowners are profiting from leasing of their land for oil and gas exploration.

But Auch said other costs must be weighed, including the price for increased public safety enforcement and emergency responders, and how much it costs the state.

"It would be nice to have a conversation about maybe the industry footing some of that bill," Auch said. "Because this appears to be directly related to their footprint."

Auch said they intend to use the data as a foundation for a greater study. They're also trying to get more information from sheriff's offices.

Read the FracTracker report Crime and the Utica Shale.


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Appalachian communities in Kentucky are poised to become manufacturing hubs for the wind energy industry, experts say.

The region's workforce, accessible transportation routes, and stash of coal ash deposits -- which contain rare earth metals needed for turbine production -- all point to a role for Appalachia in the industry's supply chain.

Larry Holloway, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Kentucky, said wind energy is a quickly growing industry in America. He pointed out more than 11% of all power produced in the U.S. comes from wind turbines and the number grows by 2% each year.

"Wind is pretty inexpensive," Holloway explained. "It depends in part on where in the country you are, how much wind you have and so forth, but it is one of the lowest cost energy sources. And in 2024, several months in a row, wind outproduced coal nationally."

According to federal data, the American wind energy industry currently supports more than 120,000 jobs and the number of wind turbine technicians is expected to grow by 60% over the next decade.

Critics have argued wind power comes with expensive production and maintenance costs, and long-term environmental impacts.

Mike Shields, senior economist for ReImagine Appalachia, said to help with the transition to wind-based power, decommissioned coal power plants could be repurposed as manufacturing facilities for parts used in wind turbines.

"We know that wind turbines are major infrastructure and there are a lot of working parts in those," Shields emphasized. "How our communities can participate in that supply chain is really the key thing that we want to take a look at."

While it remains unclear how tariffs will affect the nation's ability to develop more wind turbine parts, Holloway stressed U.S. based manufacturing is strong.

"There are a number of final assembly lines and parts that are already made in the U.S.," Holloway underscored. "We may, in fact, see even more demand in that area coming in the future as well."

According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 33% of Americans think a wind turbine farm would positively affect their local economy, while 9% said wind turbines would hurt it. Another 27% said installing a wind turbine farm would make no difference.

Minnesota is considered a national leader for community solar opportunities but a successful state program expanding solar access would end in the next few years if a bill is signed into law.

Minnesota launched its Community Solar Garden program in 2013, allowing people to link up to a shared array of Xcel Energy solar panels and receive credits on their energy bills.

Sen. Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, supports a bill to end the initiative in 2028. He said he still wants the state to use more renewable energy but feels continuing the program does not make economic sense.

"Given Minnesota's commitment to 100% clean energy by 2040, we want clean energy technologies to compete on price and reliability," Frentz explained.

Frentz pointed out the Community Solar program still relies on above-market rates, despite the decreasing cost of solar power. He added the program is partially paid for by utility customers who do not subscribe to it. Two years ago, the state modified the program to address underlying issues and opponents of the bill want more time for the changes to work. They worry about reducing solar access for renters and lower-income households.

Patty O'Keefe, Midwest regional director for the advocacy group Vote Solar, cited state data at a recent hearing showing the Community Solar Program provides nearly $3 billion in net benefits to the whole state. She added Minnesotans already pay for energy they may not use.

"The reality is that utilities routinely socialize the costs of power plants, transmission lines and grid upgrades, whether or not every customer benefits," O'Keefe emphasized. "Yet, when it comes to community solar, the same cost sharing principles are framed as a problem."

O'Keefe noted Minnesotans who use community solar panels see their monthly energy bills drop by 3% to 8% on average. Bill supporters argued the state could better serve these households by steering them to options at competitive market prices. The bill has bipartisan support but faces stronger opposition among Democrats.


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A bill would effectively delay implementation of clean car and truck programs in Maryland, but electric-vehicle manufacturers and health groups are urging lawmakers to reject the measure.

House Bill 1556 would put programs on hold that would require 43% of 2027 model year vehicles sold to be electric.

That percentage would gradually increase to 100% by 2035, and the clean-truck program would ultimately reach 75%.

The legislation would lift penalties for missed goals until 2029, but keep sales percentages the same.

Ryan Gallentine, managing director of Advanced Energy United, said the legislation is a test for Maryland lawmakers as President Donald Trump seeks to roll back vehicle standards.

"This bill hands a free talking point to the Trump administration," said Gallentine, "who will point to leaders in blue state Maryland, who pass this bill as backtracking on EVs - and is more evidence that blue-state leadership is feckless on this."

The sponsor of the bill has previously said a lack of charging infrastructure and the end of federal EV tax credits are reasons to put the programs on pause.

Clean-vehicle standards similar to the Maryland bill have been passed in more than a dozen other states.

Trisha Dello Iocano, head of policy with CALSTART -- a clean-transportation technology group -- said the legislation would negatively impact the health of Marylanders.

"They protect Marylanders from toxic airborne chemicals," said Iocano, "vehicle exhausts that are known to cause cancer, harm lung health and impact the cognitive development of young children. "

Clean-vehicle industry leaders have voiced concern that the legislation would bring uncertainty into the electric-vehicle market.




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