U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL JOHNSON Proudly Representing Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

By Deanne Johnson
Lisbon Morning Journal
Published April 9, 2012

With the building full with employees from energy companies working on title searches and leases each day, U.S. Rep. Rep. Bill Johnson made the Columbiana County Courthouse one of his stops on a visit to the county Monday.

"Eastern and Southeast Ohio (are) going to figure big in the energy future of America," Johnson said.

Johnson and county Commissioner Mike Halleck discussed the local natural gas situation. Halleck took Johnson on a quick tour of the courthouse, showing him where all the gas employees have taken over the lower hallway as they continue to search abstracts and titles for possible gas and oil leases.

Halleck said local merchants are already benefiting from these employees staying in local hotels, eating in the restaurants and shopping for the things they need while they are here. He has seen an increase for the past two years and expects it to continue for another five years. He said estimates he has heard is there is about another $200 million which will be spent in this county on leases.

Long term, Halleck said, this could affect the local economy for 30 to 40 years.

Halleck said there is "tangible evidence" the natural gas projects are under way. Besides the 100 or more people around the courthouse, Halleck said trucks with heavy equipment go past his window in downtown Lisbon daily.

The two men also discussed energy issues nationwide. Halleck pointed out it is "mind boggling" the federal administration is fighting against the Keystone pipeline.

"We're still fighting this issue," Johnson said, adding the doubling of the price of gas and large bills Ohioans are paying to power their homes lead one to question the sense of not allowing the pipeline.

Johnson also talked about the Alberta Clipper pipeline, which he said was approved quickly in 2009 and now transports 800 million barrels per day from Alberta, Canada, through Minnesota, North Dakota and into Wisconsin. The congressman questioned challenges by the administration about the need for long environmental studies being needed to proceed with the Keystone pipeline.

"All this political rhetoric is just a delaying tactic on the part of the president," Johnson said.

Johnson also mentioned his initiative to force the Senate to pass a budget, a bill which would require either the House or Senate members to forego their paychecks if a budget is not passed by April 15.

"Starting on April 16, the members don't get paid," Johnson said, adding the paychecks will instead go toward the national debt. "It's not going to solve the national debt problem," Johnson said, "but it's going to cause a debt problem for the members."

Additionally, the two men discussed local government funding cuts affecting the county and issues facing small businesses including federal regulations and Obamacare.

Prior to visiting the courthouse, Johnson toured the Beaver Creek Candle Co., a facility built by the county Board of Developmental Disabilities where its clients create scented and specialty candles resembling pies, muffins and tarts. Johnson said later he was impressed by the company.