When House Bill 278 (PDF) passed in 2004, it took away all local control from cities, villages and townships and put the State of Ohio in control of regulating and permitting oil and gas well drilling anywhere in the State of Ohio. Broadview Heights was stripped of all authority to regulate the wells and enforce its Ordinance 18-98 (PDF). There are about 87 gas and oil wells in the city.
New research is being conducted on the relationships between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources, as well as the potential health and environmental risks associated with it. During October 2011, a petition was circulated in support of a moratorium on fracking until the research is complete. It is essential to note that all of our residents' water is supplied through pipes from Cleveland Water, rather than underground wells.