Thank you for taking the time to learn about and take action on this very serious issue affecting ALL Ohio residents, the environment, and water sources of the ENTIRE state.

State and private actors have allowed the use and processing of radioactive oil and gas brine in our communities and state. However, Ohio Revised Code (Section 2927.24) makes it a crime to place a radioactive substance in a public place or waterway with the knowledge that it may cause serious harm. We are calling on the Attorney General and county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute this violation of the law.

To acquaint yourself with facts regarding the use and dangers of radioactive oil and gas brine being used as a deicer and dust suppressant in Ohio, please go to this link and review the information before speaking to elected officials and members of the community. https://www.ohiocrn.org/toxic-trespass

Contacting the  Attorney General’s Office:

Telephone: 800-282-0515 - a menu will direct you to a representative, where you will be asked your name, address, phone number

Email: David.yost@ohioattorneygeneral.gov

Sample script/talking points for questions you may be asked: 

Why are you calling?: I am calling to ask the Attorney General to open a criminal investigation into the use of radioactive oil and gas waste ‘brine’ as a deicer and dust suppressant in Ohio. 

Existing law (Ohio Revised Code Section 2927.24) makes it a felony to place a radioactive substance in a public place or waterway, knowing it may cause harm.

Documents have been provided to the AG’s office that prove state agencies and the oil and gas industry have known for years that oil and gas waste brine is radioactive. These documents clearly support the need for an investigation to be opened.

I can provide these documents if needed or you can go to http://www.ohcrn.org/toxic-trepass. 

Who do you want investigated?: I am asking the AG's office to investigate any parties, in both the public and private sector (state agencies, elected officials and private industry), who are responsible for allowing radioactive oil/gas waste to be used in Ohio and violating the law.

Possible responses you may get:

1. They may try to divert you to contact the Ohio EPA, ODNR or other state agency.

Reply: These agencies are aware of the danger and are permitting its use. They are the ones who should be investigated as well as legislators who have been working on bills to increase the use and commodification of this dangerous substance and the industrial corporations involved in selling it.

2. They may try to tell you “this isn’t what the AG office does”. 

This isn’t true. He is the highest law enforcement official in the state and his job is to investigate and prosecute when laws of the state are being violated. 

3. They may also try to tell you that the AG’s office can only open an investigation on referral from local law enforcement. 

This is why you want to contact your County Prosecutor too.

Contacting your County Prosecutor’s Office:

Script/talking points: 

“Hello, my name is ___  and I am calling from ___ as a member of _____ (local group if affiliated with one).

I am calling to ask the County Prosecutor to open  a criminal investigation into the use of  radioactive oil and gas waste ‘brine’ as a deicer and dust suppressant in our county. 

Existing law (Ohio Revised Code Section 2927.24) makes it a felony to place a radioactive substance in a public place or waterway, knowing it may cause harm.

Even if oil and gas ‘brine’ spreading is not occuring in our county, a statewide criminal investigation should take place to ensure the health and safety of all Ohioans. If radioactive oil and gas brine is being applied in a neighboring county, it can still enter our water. Governments and humans may create boundaries and borders, but water and air do not.

Documents have been provided to the AG’s office that prove state agencies and the oil and gas industry have known for years that oil and gas waste brine is radioactive. These documents clearly support the need for an investigation to be opened and as affected residents we are asking you as local law enforcement to contact the Attorney General about opening this investigation.

I can provide these documents if needed or you can go to http://www.ohcrn.org/toxic-trepass. 

Contacting your local electeds, Mayor, Council members, Township Trustees, Service Directors:

Script/talking points: 

“Hello, my name is ___ and I am calling from ___ as a member of _____ (local group if affiliated with one).

I am calling to ask (fill in the name of local official) to call on the County Prosecutor to open a criminal investigation into the use of  radioactive oil and gas waste ‘brine’ as a deicer and dust suppressant in Ohio. 

It has long been known by state agencies that this substance is toxic and has high levels of radioactivity. 

Existing law (Ohio Revised Code Section 2927.24) makes it a felony to place a radioactive substance in a public place or waterway, knowing it may cause harm. 

I am also asking (fill in the name of local official) to call on the Attorney General to launch statewide criminal investigations regarding this matter for the health and safety of all Ohioans.” 

Do some research in your community and find out:

1. Is your community using this on roads? (Maybe start with the Service Department or with a council member you have a relationship with)

2. Are there landscapers, churches, schools, etc in the community that are using it? (Contact the School Superintendent Office, the churches directly and possibly the local Chamber of Commerce)

3. ODOT claims to use it on state roads---are they using it on roads in your community? (Ask your Mayor/City Manager and City Council to help you with this one)

Even if the answer is “No” to all these---what about neighboring communities and counties? 

What about when we travel to other parts of the state? Also, thousands of gallons are spread year after year, so there is an accumulation of radioactivity. If we allow nature and our water to be polluted anywhere, it affects us all. Also, water migrates and does not stay in the community of its source.  Finally, the radioactive elements in oil and gas ‘brine’ will remain radioactive for thousands of years. So stopping this criminal practice will help preserve the water and environment for our children and for many future generations!

The Ohio Community Rights Network (OHCRN) believes that all people and their communities, including the natural community, have the inalienable right to clean water and a clean environment, and the self-governing right to prohibit anything that jeopardizes and harms those inalienable rights, like the spreading of radioactive oil and gas brine. OHCRN has worked in 12 counties throughout the state, primarily using the Ohio constitutional right of initiative, for the realization of these community rights and for the rights of nature to exist and flourish. Some of the initiatives were adopted into law while others were unjustly denied the ballot after having met the signature requirements. 

For more information on OHCRN go to https://www.ohiocrn.org/