API Ohio Applauds Signing of Senate Bill 219 into Law, Updating Oil and Gas Regulations and Protecting Well-plugging Fund

COLUMBUS, OHIO – June 25, 2026 — Today, the American Petroleum Institute (API) Ohio is applauding Gov. Mike DeWine for signing Senate Bill 219 into law and state legislators for their bipartisan support of the legislation that updates the law governing oil and gas wells and protects the dedicated fund for plugging abandoned or orphan wells in Ohio.

“This law marks an important step forward for Ohio’s energy future,” said API Ohio Executive Director Chris Zeigler. “The signing of S.B. 219 provides greater clarity for operators and regulators, protects funding for well-plugging and helps ensure Ohio remains responsive to the growing demand for affordable, reliable energy.”

API Ohio long supported a provision in the bill to protect revenue intended for well-plugging and regulatory oversight from future budget raids.

“The adoption of S.B. 219 is a win for both energy development and environmental stewardship,” said API Ohio Associate Director Claire Linkhart. “Both energy and environmental groups have been aligned on the importance of plugging orphaned and abandoned wells in Ohio and have remained focused on preserving the dedicated fund for well-plugging.”

Under the previous law, the Ohio Oil and Gas Well Fund – funded wholly through industry severance tax revenue – includes two line items: one to fund the Ohio Division of Oil and Gas’s core regulatory and oversight functions, and the other to plug idle, orphaned and abandoned wells.

The American Petroleum Institute Ohio is a state affiliate office of the American Petroleum Institute (API). The API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.