On November 17, 2014, Ohio EPA, ODNR and ODH jointly published a letter addressing the acceptance and disposal of waste substances from horizontal wells at Ohio landfills. The joint-agency letter provides clarification on the regulation of drilling wastes in light of the amendments to Ohio law under House Bill 59 (effective June 30, 2013). Issues addressed in the letter include stabilization of waste substances, determining whether drill cuttings are earthen material or solid waste, and the applicability of NORM and TENORM regulations to drilling-related waste substances. The letter also noted that Ohio EPA expects to release a rule package for interested party comments in the near future.
