Energy in Depth – Ohio had the opportunity to speak with Congressman Bob Latta of Bowling Green to discuss Utica Shale development in Ohio.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Subcommittees on Environment and Economy and Health, Congressman Latta  is acutely aware of the incredible potential this homegrown resource provides for Ohio and it’s economic revival.

What we can do with natural gas and oil production again in Ohio is create tens of thousands of jobs, not just in that industry but across the state. -Congressman Bob Latta

The Congressman is correct – these jobs move well beyond roughnecks and roustabouts. The development of oil and gas in Ohio has a far reaching impact on job creation; upstream, midstream and downstream – with over 204,000 jobs created or supported by 2015. It’s something we have already seen with expanding businesses in the steel and manufacturing industries.

Not far from Bowling Green, Lorain is home to Republic Steel. In recent months, the company announced the investment of $85.2 million dollars to operate a plant designed to recycle scrap metal and turn it into steel. This project alone is bringing 450 new, well paying jobs. Of course, this is not the only company bringing about a revival of Ohio’s steel industry.

On the opposite side of the state, as far south as Warren and Montgomery counties, construction companies are seeing new employment opportunities and new business thanks to shale development. In fact, statewide construction is on the rise due to the increase in demand emanating, in part, from the oil and gas sector.

It’s no wonder, then, that as Ohio is leading the nation in job growth, the manufacturing and construction industries are leading the charge.

We want to have as much energy as possible in this country, because again, when you get 46% of your oil, every day is being imported in this country, something is wrong.  We can keep the money, we can keep the jobs here and make sure we secure ourselves not only in area of having energy independence, but also national security. – Congressman Bob Latta

These benefits are not limited to Ohioans. The development of the Utica Shale, coupled with the shale plays across the country, is a significant part of the overall U.S. energy picture.

With the President’s shale shout out during the State of the Union, and in highlighting the ability for our onshore resources to provide Americans with energy for the next 100 years, it is clear the continued development of shale resources plays a large role in moving towards national energy security and self-sufficiency, a goal sought by every American President since Richard Nixon.

What you want to have is very good state regulations, because how we are going to harvest this great resource we have here in Ohio will be completely different than the way it is being done in Oklahoma or Colorado, or Wyoming, Pennsylvania or New York. So we want to start right here at home, and everything I have heard, everything I’ve seen that Ohio is out there in front of this. -Congressman Bob Latta

With the development of our natural resources in the Utica Shale here in Ohio, and the development of the various shale formations nationwide, we can lift our economic fortunes, and achieve energy security. The congressman emphasizes this fact.

What is also clear is that we can achieve these goals while remaining good stewards of our environment. There is not a choice – we can develop our energy resources safely and effectively, and we’ve been doing it in Ohio for over a century.

Ohio’s regulatory system is one of the most stringent and respected in the country, and has been praised by peer-review groups. These strict regulations allow the state to benefit from oil and gas development while protecting our environment.