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What is a good neighbor?
There are probably many different answers to this question. Some may say a good neighbor is someone who minds their own business. Another may say that a good neighbor is someone who is always there when you need them.
We have been so blessed to have wonderful neighbors until 2015, when we had a neighbor move in that is anything but good. The gas and oil industry moved into our neighborhood with no regard to our lives or homes, and all we heard from them is how they want to be a good neighbor.
The majority of the people who live in our neighborhood have lived here more than 35 years. Prior to the industry moving in, we were never told what to expect, but after living next door to them for eight years, I know now why they didn't warn us.
The gas and oil industry located next to our neighborhood has been permitted by the Ohio EPA to blow down units and vessels 420 times a year. You might be asking yourself, what is a blow down? A blow down is when they release the pressure in a unit or a vessel. When this is being done, it sounds like a jet engine is getting ready for take-off next to your home.
According to the gas and oil industry, when these blow downs take place they are emitting 98 percent methane into the atmosphere. Randi Pokladnik told us in the March 17 edition of Ohio Outdoor News that "methane gas is about 86 times as potent as carbon dioxide in trapping infrared light, which contributes to climate change."
As if the 420 blow downs are not enough to deal with, the compressor station located near our neighborhood has six compressors totaling more than 11,000 horsepower.
These six compressors run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also have the capability of adding more in the future.
These engines emit a terrible exhaust that creates headaches; burning eyes, nose and throat; extreme fatigue; and nausea. The symptoms that were just mentioned might sound familiar because these are the same symptoms the EPA told us we could experience from the Canadian wildfires. We were even told to limit our time outside, especially if you have breathing problems.
They also stated that they do not know the long-term effects of the smoke to our health and recommended that we wear a mask outdoors.
Our neighborhood has been experiencing these same symptoms for about five years. Several years ago the gas and oil industry reported in the Herald-Star that the problems at the compressor station have been fixed.
They have not been fixed and, according to the Ohio EPA, they will never be fixed because we live in an area that has no zoning laws.
The Ohio EPA also stated that "they don't make the rules, it is political." We have heard over and over that the gas and oil industry is compliant.
It is easy to be compliant when you are given the freedom to self-monitor, and the guidelines that you have been given are so lenient. I am thinking the Ohio EPA should change its name to the industry protection agency.
The Jefferson County Health Department has been trying to help only to be given road blocks by the Ohio EPA. The Ohio EPA and the gas and oil industry have decided that our neighborhood and those who live in it are expendable.
If you are given the opportunity to choose your neighbors, choose wisely.
(Williamson is a resident of Bloomingdale.)