State ex rel. AWMS Water Solutions, L.L.C. v. Zehringer

[Cite as State ex rel. AWMS Water Solutions, L.L.C. v. Zehringer, 2019-Ohio-923.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

TRUMBULL COUNTY, OHIO

STATE OF OHIO ex rel. AWMS WATER : PER CURIAM OPINION
SOLUTIONS, LLC, et al.,
:
Relators, CASE NO. 2016-T-0085
:
- vs -
:
JAMES ZEHRINGER, DIRECTOR OHIO
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL :
RESOURCES, et al.,
:
Respondents.
:

Original Action for Writ of Mandamus.

Judgment: Petition denied.

Thomas J. Wilson, Comstock, Springer & Wilson Co., L.P.A., 100 Federal Plaza East,
Suite 926, Youngstown, OH 44503; Matthew G. Vansuch, Brouse McDowell Co., LPA,
6550 Seville Drive, Suite B, Canfield, OH 44406; and Kyle A. Shelton, Brouse
McDowell Co., LPA, 388 South Main Street, Suite 500, Akron, OH 44311 (For
Relators).

Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General, State Office Tower, 30 East Broad Street, 16th
Floor, Columbus, OH 43215; W. Scott Myers and Brett A. Kravitz, Assistant Attorneys
General, Environmental Enforcement Section, 2045 Morse Road, A-3, Columbus, OH
43229; and Curtis J. Amrosy, Manchester Newman & Bennett, LPA, 144 North Park
Avenue, Suite 200, Warren, OH 44481 (For Respondents).

PER CURIAM.

{¶1} Respondents, James Zehringer, Director, Ohio Department of Natural

Resources, et al., have moved this court for summary judgment on the petition for writ
of mandamus filed by Relators, AWMS Water Solutions, LLC, et al. Relators seek the

underlying writ to compel Respondents to commence appropriations proceedings based

upon their allegation that Respondents’ regulatory actions have eliminated the

economic viability of certain real property and, as a result, Respondents have

effectuated either a categorical-regulatory taking or a partial-regulatory taking, in

violation of the United States and Ohio Constitutions. Respondents maintain there are

no genuine issues of material fact to be litigated on Relators’ allegations and therefore

they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Relators have opposed the motion,

asserting there are issues of material fact to be litigated on both of their takings claims

and, as a result, their petition to compel appropriations on the subject real estate

survives Respondents’ motion.

Factual Background

{¶2} Relator, AWMS Water Solutions, LLC, is a company involved in disposing

waste from oil and gas production sites and drilling sites. Relator, AWMS Holdings,

LLC, is a holding company for a series of wholly-owned subsidiaries that own and

operate brine disposal wells and facilities. Relator, AWMS Rt. 169, LLC, is a company

that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AWMS Holdings, LLC, and was formed to own and

operate two salt-injection wells in Weathersfield Township, Trumbull County, Ohio.

Respondents are James Zehringer, the Director of the Ohio Department of Natural

Resources (“Director”); the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (“ODNR”); Richard

Simmers, Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (“Chief”); and

the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (“Division”).

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 {¶3} Relators secured a lease on property in an industrial area in Weathersfield

Township, which it acquired for the purpose of constructing two salt-water injection

wells. On December 23, 2011, Relators applied to the Division for a permit to construct

the wells, designated AWMS #1 Well and AWMS #2 Well. Also in December 2011, two

seismic events of varying magnitudes were detected in Youngstown, Ohio near the

Northstar #1 injection well, operated by a third party not connected to this matter. The

first, on December 24, 2011, a 2.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded within one mile

of the well. The Division found that Northstar #1 Well likely induced the earthquake

after reviewing the seismic data. One day after the Northstar #1 Well voluntarily ceased

operations at the Division’s request, a 4.0 magnitude event was recorded within one

mile of the well. The Northstar #1 Well is located approximately seven miles from the

AWMS #2 Well. After the second seismic event, the Division temporarily halted the

issuance of permits through November 2012. During the pause in permit issuances, the

Division drafted emergency rules to protect the public health and safety.

{¶4} Ultimately, on July 18, 2013, the Division issued a drilling permit to AWMS

and, on March 24, 2014, an operational permit was issued. Full commercial operations

of the wells commenced in May and June of 2014. During the time the wells were

operating, AWMS #1 Well represented 5% of total injections between the two wells,

while AWMS #2 Well represented 95% of total injections.

{¶5} On July 28, 2014, a seismic event, measuring a magnitude 1.7, occurred

in Trumbull County in the vicinity of Relators’ wells. On August 31, 2014, another

seismic event occurred in the vicinity of the wells measuring 2.1. The earthquakes were

connected in time and space with injections at AWMS #2 Well and experts agreed that

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the events were likely induced by Relators’ operations. On September 3, 2014, the

Division issued Chief’s Order No. 2014-372, amended by Chief’s Order No. 2014-374

(“Suspension Order”), ordering relators to: (1) immediately suspend all operations at

AWMS #2 Well, and (2) submit a written plan to the Division for evaluating certain

“seismic concerns associated with the operation of the AWMS #2 salt water injection

well.” The Division also suspended operations at AWMS #1 Well, but subsequently

terminated this suspension after Relators submitted additional information that AWMS

Well #1 did not contribute to the earthquake activity.

{¶6} Relators submitted a plan to restart its operations at AWMS #2; the

Division found, however, that the plan was deficient, that it was “generic and

inadequate,” and did not support terminating the Suspension Order. AWMS #2 Well has

not operated since imposition of the Suspension Order.

{¶7} Relators appealed the Suspension Order to the Ohio Oil & Gas

Commission (“Commission”). A hearing was held and, on August 12, 2015, the

Commission found the Chief’s issuance of the Suspension Order was not unlawful or

unreasonable and affirmed the Division’s issuance of the Suspension Order. On

September 8, 2015, Relators filed an appeal of the Commission’s affirmance of the

Suspension Order to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. After various

procedural rulings relating to whether Relators properly filed their notice of appeal, the

administrative appeal proceeded on June 30, 2016. And, on December 23, 2016, the

Court of Common Pleas found that the Suspension Order was lawful, but reversed the

judgment of the Court of Common Pleas, concluding the Order was unreasonable. The

Division appealed this decision to the Tenth District Court of Appeals.

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 {¶8} Meanwhile, on August 26, 2016, Relators filed the instant petition for writ

of mandamus alleging the continued enforcement of the Suspension Order had

substantially interfered with Relators’ property rights by depriving them of all or, at least

partial, economically-viable use of the property. In light of the appeal to the Tenth

Appellate District, this court stayed the underlying proceedings due to the possibility of

rendering an inconsistent ruling contrary to the jurisdictional priority rule.

{¶9} On July 31, 2018, the Tenth District reversed the judgment of the court of

common pleas, concluding, inter alia, the lower court based its decision on

impermissible evidentiary inferences made between experts who testified before the

division and because the trial court drew conclusions regarding the likelihood of seismic

risk without reliable evidentiary support. See Am. Water Mgt Servs., LLC v. Div. of Oil &

Gas Resources Mgt., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 17AP-145, 2018-Ohio-3028. The Tenth

District therefore determined the Suspension Order was reasonable and reinstated the

same. Relators filed a jurisdictional appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio and, on

November 21, 2018, in Am. Water Mgt. Servs., LLC v. Div. of Oil & Gas Resources

Mgt., 2018-Ohio-3028, the Court declined jurisdiction. And, on December 26, 2018, the

Court denied Relators’ motion for reconsideration. See 2018-Ohio-3028. This court

subsequently lifted the stay and we now consider Respondents’ motion for summary

judgment and Relators’ memorandum in opposition.

Mandamus

{¶10} In order for a writ of mandamus to issue, Relators must establish a clear

legal right to compel Respondents to initiate appropriation action, Respondents’

corresponding duty to institute the action, and the lack of an adequate remedy for

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relators in the ordinary course of law. See, e.g., State ex rel. Duncan v. Mentor City

Council, 105 Ohio St.3d 372, 2005-Ohio-2163, ¶10.

{¶11} “[M]andamus is the vehicle for compelling appropriation proceedings by

public authorities where an involuntary taking of private property is alleged.” State ex

rel. Levin v. Sheffield Lake, 70 Ohio St.3d 104, 108 (1994), citing State ex rel. McKay v.

Kauer, 156 Ohio St. 347 (1951), paragraph three of the syllabus. “In such actions, the

court, as the trier of fact and law, must determine whether any property rights of the

owner have been taken by the public authority.” Levin, supra, citing Akron-Seller v.

Akron, 49 Ohio App.2d 128, 130 (9th Dist.1974).

Summary Judgment Standard

{¶12} Pursuant to Civil Rule 56(C), summary judgment is proper when (1) the

evidence shows “that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact” to be litigated;

(2) “the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law;” and (3) “it appears from

the evidence * * * that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that

conclusion is adverse to the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is

made, that party being entitled to have the evidence * * * construed most strongly in the

party’s favor.” Id.

“Takings”

{¶13} Frequently referred to as the “Just Compensation Clause,” the final clause

of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides: “nor shall private

property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” The prohibition against

takings applies equally to the states and the federal government. Chicago, B. & Q. Co.

v. Chicago, 166 U.S. 226, 239, 241 (1896). Two forms of regulatory acts are deemed

6
per se unconstitutional takings: (1) governmental actions that cause an owner to

experience a permanent physical invasion of the property. State ex rel. Shelly Materials

v. Clark Co. Bd. of Comm’rs, 115 Ohio St.3d 337, 2007-Ohio-5022 ¶18, citing Loretto v.

Teleprompter Manhattan CATV Corp., 458 U.S. 419, 435-440 (1982); and (2)

governmental regulations that completely deprive the owner of all economically

beneficial use of the property. Shelly, supra, citing Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal

Council, 505 U.S. 1003, 1019 (1992).

{¶14} Beyond these two narrow categories, temporary takings are governed by

the standards set forth in Penn Cent. Transp. Co. v. New York City, 438 U.S. 104

(2005). Shelly, supra. “Penn Cent. recognizes an ad hoc, factual inquiry that requires

the examination of the following three factors to determine whether a regulatory taking

occurred in cases in which there is no physical invasion and the regulation deprives the

property of less than 100 percent of its economically viable use: (1) the economic

impact of the regulation on the claimant, (2) the extent to which the regulation has

interfered with distinct investment-backed expectations, and (3) the character of the

governmental action.” Shelly, supra, at ¶19, citing Penn Cent., supra, at 124.

{¶15} We shall first address Respondents’ arguments that Relators have failed

to establish a clear legal right to relief or Respondents’ concomitant duty to perform the

requested actions as it relates to their categorical taking claim. Relators attached the

transcript of the hearing before the Commission to their original petition. At the hearing,

testimony established that, even though operations of AWMS #2 Well have been

suspended, AWMS #1 Well is operational. Moreover, at the time of the hearing, the

well-site property still processed, stored, recycled, treated, and disposed of brine. As a

7
result, AWMS president Steve Kilper testified at the hearing, the property “generates

revenue.”

{¶16} Although Relators ceased operations of the AWMS #1 Well in 2015, this

does not imply the property is without value. Mr. Kilper testified during deposition that

certain third parties had expressed an interest in using the property, but no agreement

was finalized. This suggests the property could be sub-let to other parties and thus

revenue could be passively earned, despite the voluntary shutdown of AWMS #1 Well

and the regulatory shutdown of AWMS #2 Well.

{¶17} Moreover, Andrew Adgate, Underground Injection Control Manager of

Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management, submitted a report on potential

alternative uses of Relators’ property. Mr. Adgate opined that the property and its

existing structures could be used to operate waste facilities to store, treat, process, or

dispose of brine or other substances associated with oil and gas operations.

Accordingly, even though Relators voluntarily ceased operations of AWMS #1 well, they

have not been completely deprived of all economically beneficial use of the property.

The foregoing demonstrates that, notwithstanding the order suspending operations of

AWMS #2 Well, there has not been a complete elimination of the property’s value.

Viewing the evidence in Relators’ favor, there is no genuine issue of material fact

relating to their categorical taking claim. As such, they are not entitled to require

Respondents to commence appropriation proceedings on this basis and Respondents

are therefore entitled to judgment as a matter of law on that issue.

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 {¶18} We shall next address Respondents’ position that the Suspension Order

did not result in a partial regulatory taking and thus Relators are not entitled to relief in

mandamus on that issue.

{¶19} Penn Cent. requires a court to consider three factors in evaluating whether

a partial regulatory taking has occurred; to wit (1) the economic impact of the regulation

on Relators, (2) the extent to which the regulation has interfered with Relators distinct

investment-backed expectations, and (3) the character of the governmental action.

See Id. We shall first consider the character of the government action.

Character of the Suspension Order

{¶20} Respondents note that the Division is vested with the statutory authority to

regulate oil and gas activities, including the disposal of brine, to promote public health,

safety, and welfare. Moreover, Respondents note neither they, nor Relators were

aware the injection well site was within 1,000 feet of an earthquake fault line when

Relators obtained their permit. They emphasize, however, that “changed circumstances

may make what was previously permissible no longer so. So also does the fact that

other landowners, similarly situated, are permitted to continue the use denied to the

claimant.” Lucas v. S.C. Coastal Carolina, 505 U.S. 1003, 1031 (1992). Respondents

additionally cite to the Tenth Appellate District’s decision which upheld the Suspension

Order as reasonable and engaged in a lengthy discussion of the character of the order.

In light of these points, Respondents maintain, the character of the order militates

heavily against Relators’ request for writ of mandamus.

{¶21} Relators contend that even though Respondents’ actions are purportedly

premised upon public health and safety, these concerns do not automatically negate

9
their taking claim. Relators maintain they have complied with all requirements and

conditions placed upon them and Respondents have failed to work with them in re-

initiating operations. Relators assert they have proposed conditions to restart

operations that are consistent with Respondents’ policies and practices; Relators claim,

however, Respondents have ignored their proposals. They contend the delay has been

unreasonable and the Suspension Order is tantamount to a complete termination of

operations. In their view, the character of the order is unreasonably onerous and, as a

result, they assert there are genuine issues of material fact on this point precluding

summary judgment.

{¶22} In evaluating the character of the Suspension Order, we emphasize that

the issue of the reasonableness of the Suspension Order has been fully litigated and

the Tenth District’s opinion has preclusive effect on that point. The doctrine of res

judicata covers two related concepts: claim preclusion and issue preclusion, traditionally

known as collateral estoppel. O’Nesti v. DeBartolo Realty Corp., 113 Ohio St.3d 59,

2007-Ohio-1102, ¶6. As relevant to our case, issue preclusion “serves to prevent

relitigation of any fact or point that was determined by a court of competent jurisdiction

in a previous action between the same parties or their privies.” Fort Frye Teachers

Assn., OEA/NEA v. State Emp. Relations Bd., 81 Ohio St.3d 392, 395 (1998).

Issue preclusion applies even if the causes of action differ. Id. The character of the

order has been deemed reasonable as a matter of law and that judgment was issued in

an action between the same parties. Collateral estoppel therefore bars Relators from

challenging the reasonableness of the underlying order.

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 {¶23} Notwithstanding the preclusive effect of the Tenth District’s opinion on the

issue, a few additional points underscoring the reasonable character of the order bear

emphasis. Relators’ expert, Michael Hasting, a geophysicist, as well as the Chief

agreed that the seismic events in 2014 were likely caused by the injection activities of

AWMS #2 Well. And, in his December 2017 report, which addressed the Division’s

actions in relation to Relators suspension, the Chief stated:

{¶24} When the Division reviews an application for an injection well, the
location and known faults in the immediate area are considered.
The Division was not aware of known faults in the immediate area
and pre-injection seismic monitoring detected no nearby events.
After two seismic events in close proximity to the AWMS #2
injection well, the Division now has evidence of a fault in the
immediate area. The Division does not know the size or energy
contained in the fault, but in other similar instances, the energy of
the seismicity has increased substantially from one event to
another. The urban setting of the AWMS #2 injection well
increases the potential for damage resulting from continued
seismicity. Nine schools and multiple neighborhoods are located
within close proximity of the AWMS #2 injection well. (Emphasis
added.)

{¶25} During his testimony at the hearing before the Commission, the Chief

specifically stated that schools, neighborhoods, various forms of infrastructure, as well

as the Niles Fire Department are within a two-mile radius of Respondents’ operation.

And, after discovering the active fault line in light of the seismic events, which were

strongly linked to Respondents’ injection activities, the Chief asserted the Division’s risk

assessment changed such that it was unclear that any injection activities could be safe.

This was so especially in light of the likelihood that any future induced seismic event

would be incrementally more severe than the previous events.

{¶26} Relators nevertheless contend that, regardless of the various

circumstances surrounding the Suspension Order, Respondents have acted in an

11
unreasonably dilatory fashion in addressing what conditions must be satisfied to

reinitiate operations of AWMS #2 Well. At the hearing before the Commission, the

Chief detailed the highly-involved process in creating a state-wide policy. He stated:

{¶27} We’re in the process of trying to develop those criteria. We’re not
there yet. Back in September of 2013, I approached the executive
director of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, which
is a commission of state governors for oil and gas-producing states.
Ohio is a member state. I represent our governor in that
organization.

{¶28} And I also approached the executive director of Ground Water
Protection Council. That’s a national organization where states that
run injection programs are for the most part members of that
organization, and it’s probably the leading organization for
groundwater protection and injection activities in general.

{¶29} So I approached those directors and asked them if they would help
me get a group going through what they have as states’ first
initiatives. They pull states together to help states decide how
states should address and handle problems like induced seismicity.
So in September I approached them. In March of 2014, we held
our first face-to-face meeting. Mr. Warstal and I flew to Oklahoma.
We met with our counterparts from Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and
Arkansas, and we began the group.

{¶30} * * *

{¶31} The risk assessment. Part of the group is creating, how do we
communicate the seismic data? How do we make it available to
people so they can review it as well? How do we communicate the
seismic event? Essentially what we’re creating is a toolbox of
scientific methodology to evaluate the technical and risk-based
issues associated with this. We’re creating a process where all
these experts from all around the country are saying, like on the
seismic equipment, here are the types of seismic equipment, here’s
its limitations, here’s its advantages, here are costs, here’s where I
would use it, here’s where I wouldn’t use it, so that people like me
can make better decisions when we evaluate these problems.

{¶32} We have a goal, and I’m extremely confident we will meet this goal.
In May, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission has its
business meeting. We’re going to present a draft document to
them that has all this information in it, all this advice to regulatory

12
 programs. In September, the Ground Water Protection Council and
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission are having a
combined meeting. We hope to present a final document to those
two organizations to be used as a reference by all regulatory
programs, including us.

{¶33} From that, and in parallel with that development, we in Ohio will
develop the Ohio-specific version of that document. That will then
turn into an Ohio Specific guideline. It will be a guideline for
industry. It will be a guideline for our staff. It will make things
known and more predictable. And then we will wrap a policy
around that that says this is how we’re going to implement it and
this is what it means.

{¶34} The foregoing demonstrates that the procedure for developing a state-

wide policy for seismic regulation is a complicated and time-consuming process. It

involves meeting with various regulatory bodies and information sharing with officials

from other states. After working with various state regulators, industry experts, and

consultants, the Chief, in his December 2017 report, stated the Division’s knowledge

relating to induced seismicity increased significantly. As a result of this increased

knowledge, the Division determined that a policy on induced seismicity for injection

wells could not be applied on a statewide basis. In lieu of the policy, the Division

elected to treat each injection-well site on a case-by-case basis. Given this decision,

the Chief maintained that operations of AWMS #2 Well should not be resumed until the

Division received and approved of a detailed plan, drafted by AWMS, that would include

risk assessment criteria. The Chief recognized that AWMS had previously submitted a

plan to resume operations, but, after reviewing the plan, the Division found it to be

overly generic and inadequate. As of the December 2017 report, our record does not

indicate AWMS had submitted an alternative plan that meets the criteria set forth in the

Chief’s report.

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 {¶35} In light of the process detailed by the Chief relating to interstate

cooperation and information sharing on induced seismicity and the ultimate decision to

evaluate each well on an individual basis, as well as Relators’ failure to submit a more

comprehensive plan, we fail to see how the Division has acted in an unreasonably or

unnecessarily dilatory fashion.

{¶36} Next, Relators assert that they are being treated unfairly because similarly

situated operations in Washington County have been allowed to continue despite

consistent seismic events and those wells’ proximity to the city of Marietta, a relatively

populated area.

{¶37} At the hearing before the Commission, the Chief testified that, in its

investigations of the Washington County seismic activity, the Division concluded the

operations were not inducing seismicity. Alternatively, upon evaluating the activity

occurring near Relators’ operations, the Division, along with the Geologic Survey and a

separate consultant, concluded there was strong evidence that Relators’ Well #2

induced the seismic events. The Chief noted that the proximity of well construction to

the Precambrian basement rock in the earth’s crust is an important factor in evaluating

whether injection induces seismicity. He stated that the Washington County site had

just under a one-mile separation from the Precambrian rock, whereas AWMS #2 Well

was significantly closer, less than 500 feet from the Precambrian rock. And, in his

December 2017 report, the Chief stated that the Division’s actions are consistent with

responses to other incidents of seismicity. To wit, he observed:

{¶38} Comparing AWMS’s events to others like Washington County and
Northstar [Well #1, Youngstown] events, reveals that the Division’s
approach is consistent given the circumstances of each case. In
both the AWMS and Northstar incidents, the injection wells

14
 penetrate the deepest formation above the Precambrian basement
rock, inject through an open-hole well construction, and detected
events occurred in an escalating nature at depths within the
Precambrian basement rock. This can be contrasted with the
incident in Washington County, where the injection well is
completed as perforations through casing in a formation separated
from the basement by more than 5050 feet.

{¶39} According to the Chief, the relative depths of the wells in question and

their proximity to the Precambrian basement are pivotal factors for the Division’s risk

assessment and the measures it takes to regulate the operations. Pursuant to statute,

“[t]he division has sole and exclusive authority to regulate the permitting, location, and

spacing of oil and gas wells and production operations within the state.” R.C. 1509.02.

Given the above points, we conclude there are sufficient differences between Relators’

operations and the Washington County operations to reasonably justify the Division’s

different treatment of the relative injection sites.

{¶40} In light of (1) the Tenth Appellate District’s legal conclusion that the

Suspension Order is reasonable as a matter of law; (2) the temporal and spatial

relationship of the seismic events and Relators’ activities; (3) the proximity of the

operations to an actual fault line and the Precambrian basement rock; (4) the views of

the experts, including the Chief, regarding the causal relationship between Relators’

operations and the seismic events (induced seismicity); (5) the empirical likelihood that

induced seismic activity could amplify if operations are continued; (6) the proximity of

the injection sites to populated urban areas; and (7) the Chief’s proclamation that the

Division would work with AWMS if it provided a sufficiently detailed, scientific plan to re-

initiate operations, we conclude the character of the Suspension Order is neither unfair

nor arbitrary. Thus, considering the totality of the circumstances, there is no genuine

15
issue of material fact that the character of the order at issue protects the public’s health

and safety from the realistic potential of increased induced seismicity resulting from

injection activities on AWMS #2 Well.

Distinct Investment-Backed Expectations

{¶41} Relators, in their memorandum in opposition, acknowledge the distinct-

investment-backed-expectations analysis encompasses two prongs. The first looks at

Relators’ actual expectation, i.e., an expectation “would not really be ‘investment-

backed’ unless they actually believed in a certain outcome and entered the program in

reliance on it.” Cienega Gardens v. United States, 331 F.3d 1319, 1346 (Fed.Cir.

2003). The second is whether those expectations are objectively reasonable. CCA

Associates v. United States, 667 F.3d 1239, 1247 (Fed. Cir. 2011).

{¶42} In this matter, Relators have established they actually had a subjective

expectation their operations would make a profit. And, after obtaining the necessary

permits and adhering to all conditions imposed by the Division, they reasonably

expected to earn an economic return on their investments. The issue therefore turns on

whether their subjective expectations, in light of the surrounding circumstances that

existed at the time they sought investors as well as the circumstances that developed

once operations commenced, were objectively reasonable.

{¶43} In 2011, a near-4.0 event occurred at the Northstar Well #1, near

Youngstown. This well was approximately seven miles from Relators’ injection site.

Although this event was not in the immediate vicinity of Relators’ property, it placed

Relators on notice that some significant seismic activity had occurred within the region.

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 {¶44} In a Confidential Offering Memorandum submitted by AWMS Holdings,

LLC to prospective investors in September 2013, Relators identified “risk factors”

emphasizing that the securities at issue “involve a high degree of risk” and prospective

investors should be aware of these risks. The Memorandum highlights the “continuing

risk” of “seismic events similar to the one that occurred in the Youngstown, Ohio area.”

Relators were consequently not only aware that, even though their site was not adjacent

to the Youngstown-event site, there were dangers posed by the operations and,

significantly, that such dangers were sufficiently foreseeable that they must be

disclosed.

{¶45} The Memorandum also noted that, due to the inherent risks of operating a

well site, there is a possibility that well operations could be suspended and/or

terminated by the OEPA and/or the ODNR. Relators were thus aware that their

business investment was subject to heightened oversight and regulation. And, by

investing in the business, investors were assuming an acknowledged and significant

risk.

{¶46} Furthermore, the Memorandum also outlined certain geologic risks. It

stated that AWMS had performed no “subsurface testing.” As a result, the

Memorandum disclosed that the adequacy of the geology and the suitability of the wells

“will only be known upon drilling, completion, and operation of the wells.” This indicates

that AWMS had no ability to predict that the well site(s) would be viable; in effect,

investors would have to have “faith,” in light of the significant risks, that after

construction and commencement of operations, the wells would perform without a

potentially environmentally catastrophic incident.

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 {¶47} Ultimately, after the two events had occurred in 2014 on Relators’ site,

Respondents determined there was a fault line in the immediate area. As the

Memorandum recognized, Relators did not conduct any subsurface testing and

additionally acknowledged that the suitability of the wells would be known after

operations commenced. Upon commencement of AWMS #2 Well, the events occurred,

Respondents (along with Relators’ expert) acknowledged that the events were likely

induced by the operations, and suspended operations. Each of these eventualities

were foreseen in the Memorandum and duly noted as “risk factors.”

{¶48} Relators must demonstrate they had a reasonable investment-backed

expectation that they would not be subject to the restraints imposed upon them when

they commenced their enterprise by leasing the property. Given the acknowledgements

in the Memorandum, in conjunction with the Chief’s explanation for entering the

Suspension Order, we conclude they could not have possessed such expectations.

Relators knew they were embarking on a business venture that is highly regulated,

pursuant to Ohio statute, and designed to protect the health and safety of the public.

Their disclosures in the Memorandum demonstrate they did not expect they would be

free from regulatory oversight with regard to seismic events. And, because they had

conducted no subsurface testing, they recognized the suitability of the wells and, by

implication, the investment, depended upon how the geology of the area responded to

their actual drilling. Of course, Relators hoped that, after obtaining the permits, their

operations would persist free of further regulation. This hope, however, was a

speculative possibility, not an objectively reasonable expectation. See Guggenheim v.

Goleta, 638 F.3d 1111, 1120 (9th Cir.2010) (“Speculative possibilities of windfalls do not

18
amount to ‘distinct investment-backed expectations.’”); see also Rith Energy, Inc. v.

United States, 247 F.3d 1355, 1365 (Fed. Cir.2001) (Coal lessee could not show

reasonable investment-backed expectation that it would not be subject to type of

regulation imposed when it acquired leases.); M & J Coal Co. v. United States, 47 F.3d

1148, 1154 (Fed.Cir.1995), (Mining company “knew or should have known that it could

not mine in such a way as to endanger public health or safety and that any state

authorization it may have received was subordinate to the national standards that were

established by SMCRA[, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act] and enforced

by OSM[, the United States Department of Interior].” See generally Good v. United

States, 189 F.3d 1355, 1362 (Fed.Cir.1999) (holding that the property owner had no

reasonable investment-backed expectations because he “had both constructive and

actual knowledge that either state or federal regulations could ultimately prevent him

from building on the property”); Creppel v. United States, 41 F.3d 627, 632

(Fed.Cir.1994) (stating that one who buys with knowledge of regulatory restrictions on

the use of property “assumes the risk of economic loss.”)

{¶49} Although the materialization of the business risks (of which Relators were

aware upon seeking investors) may have interfered with their subjective expectations

for profit, the manifestation of the risks cannot provide a basis for the inference that

Relators’ reasonable investment-backed expectations were thwarted by regulations

designed to ameliorate the dangers caused by such risks. We therefore conclude

Relators have failed to demonstrate a genuine issue of material fact that they

possessed reasonable investment-backed expectations that they would not be subject

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to restraints, in the form of regulations, that could foreseeably cause their operations to

be suspended, perhaps indefinitely, due to induced seismic activity.

{¶50} In light of the foregoing analysis, even assuming the economic impact of

the regulation has been severe, Relators have failed to demonstrate (1) the character of

the regulation, in light of the circumstances, was unreasonable or unfair; and (2) that the

regulation interfered with Relators’ objectively reasonable investment-backed

expectations. We therefore conclude that no genuine issue of material fact remains to

be litigated in mandamus. Relators are not entitled to require Respondents to initiate

appropriations proceedings as a matter of law.

{¶51} It is hereby ordered and adjudicated that Respondents are entitled to

summary judgment on Relators’ petition for writ of mandamus.

THOMAS R. WRIGHT, P.J., CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, J., TIMOTHY P. CANNON,
J., concur.

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