Ohio oil and gas wells contribute $23 billion to state's economy

CLEVELAND - Ohio is poised to become a real player in the oil and natural gas industry, according to Jack Gerard, president and chief executive Officer of the American Petroleum Institute .

Mr Gerard spoke to the City Club about how critical the oil industry is to the future of Ohio.

Currently, more than $22 billion flow into Ohio's economy with more than 230,000 jobs supported by Ohio's oil industry. The average salary in Ohio from non-gas station jobs is more than $68,000.

Ohio was an early industry leader in oil production beginning in the late 1800s, and the oil industry believes that with new technology we can again be leading producer of oil and natural gas. Gerard said he believes that 65,000 new jobs can be created in Ohio over the next two years and generate billions of dollars.

Gerard is on a mission to educate the public about hydraulic fracturing and drilling in Ohio. He stated that the industry has more than 65 years of experience and has not contaminated water wells with more than 1.2 million wells drilled.

He welcomes working with Ohio officials in creating sensible regulations so that Ohions may benefit from the expansion of domestic oil production and an increased independence from foreign oil sources.