Fracking has become a key issue in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, particularly in Rust Belt swing states where it could have a significant impact. Incumbent Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown is facing criticism from his GOP opponent for his past positions on fracking. Brown voted against a bill in 2021 that would establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to prohibiting the Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency from banning hydraulic fracturing in the United States. He also voted against a motion in the Senate in 2022 that would give states sole authority over permitting and enforcing fracking regulations. When asked about his concerns regarding Ohio workers losing their jobs in the fracking industry, Brown suggested that most of the jobs in Ohio go to out-of-state workers.
Fracking is a significant issue in Ohio, where it supports over 300,000 jobs and contributed $55 billion to the state’s economy in 2021. Despite pressure from critics, Brown has declined to criticize Vice President Harris for backing away from her position to ban fracking and has instead stated that he believes in an “all of the above strategy” when it comes to energy production. Brown’s opponent, businessman Bernie Moreno, has accused him of being in lockstep with liberal policies like the Green New Deal and has claimed that Brown and Harris would rather rely on foreign energy sources than tap into Ohio’s resources.
Despite critics’ claims that Brown is aligned with the progressive Green New Deal, the senator’s campaign maintains that he supports fracking when it is done properly. They argue that Moreno is not being truthful and is attempting to distract from his own record, which includes issues like refusing to pay employees overtime and selling Chinese-made vehicles. Brown has previously expressed support for shale development, citing its potential to bring economic development and jobs to Ohio. He has also led legislation to connect Ohio workers with jobs in the shale and fracking industry, and has stood up to protect Ohio jobs in the industry.
The Ohio Senate race is considered one of the most highly watched contests in the country, as Republicans view the Buckeye State as a key location to potentially take back control of the Senate. The race is ranked as a “toss up” by the Cook Political report, indicating that it is highly competitive and could go either way. Brown’s close alignment with the Biden administration on some issues related to climate change has sparked criticism, with some accusing him of being too liberal on environmental policies. However, Brown’s campaign has emphasized his support for fracking and shale development when done right, as well as his commitment to protecting Ohio jobs in the industry.
As the 2024 election approaches, the issue of fracking in Ohio is likely to continue to be a point of contention in the Senate race. Brown’s record on the issue, as well as his opponent’s criticism of his alignment with liberal policies, will be central to the campaign. With Ohio being a significant swing state that Trump won by a significant margin in 2020, the outcome of the Senate race could have broader implications for both parties in the upcoming election. As voters weigh the candidates’ positions on fracking and other important issues, the race in Ohio will be closely watched by political observers and analysts.
