Newly obtained documents secured by Buckeye Environmental Network through public records requests raise serious questions about how ODNR regulates Ohio’s Class II injection wells.
ODNR found evidence that waste from DeepRock’s American Growers No. 1 injection well in Washington County had moved beyond its permitted injection zone. Records show that ODNR reached this conclusion by August 13, 2026. The agency determined there were grounds for immediate suspension, but never issued a formal order.
The American Growers well is one of four Washington County injection wells that voluntarily shut down in July 2026. For 16 months, Buckeye Environmental Network, local residents and oil and gas producers worked to expose suspected waste migration and demand action from ODNR. On June 23, BEN published a report documenting years of rising pressure in nearby oil and gas wells. On July 1 and 2, ODNR contacted the injection well operators, who agreed to stop operations voluntarily. If ODNR had grounds to formally suspend this well but didn’t, what does that mean for the other voluntary shutdowns? Were those decisions also influenced by the companies operating them?
DeepRock also has ties to Ohio State Senator Brian Chavez, who previously served as the company’s CEO and was identified as an owner in ODNR records.
When asked why the agency chose not to issue a formal suspension, a representative responded,“It was the Division’s understanding that Deeprock did not want any such order issued.”
Since when does a waste disposal company get to decide how the state enforces its own regulations of disposal wells?
In Buckeye Environmental Network’s upcoming webinar on Nov 17th we will discuss oversight failures like this and how Ohioans can push for stronger accountability as ODNR reviews its rules. RSVP here https://luma.com/hhn-c0mv
