Ohio Gov. Kasich bans drilling in Erie

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 12 (UPI) -- Ohio Gov. John Kasich issued an executive order to prevent the Department of Natural Resources from allowing oil and gas drilling in or underneath Lake Erie.

Kasich signed the order Wednesday preventing any permits, licenses, or leases allowing drilling in or beneath Lake Erie, echoing the protection from drilling in all the Great Lakes provided by Congress and continuing the executive order issued by former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, whose order was not renewed when Taft left office in 2007.

"While I applaud Gov. Kasich for issuing this executive order which bans drilling in Lake Erie, Ohio needs a long-term solution," state Rep. Nickie J. Antonio said.

The Ohio Environmental Council and other Ohio environmental activists praised Kasich's order.