Energy

in Southeastern Ohio

8th

Ohio ranks 8th in U.S. natural gas production (2024, EIA)

Due to shale gas growth in recent years, the OhioSE region has over 3,350 permitted wells with 2,600 drilled and 2,500 producing.

Appalachia Natural Gas Production Growth

Appalachia has emerged as a powerhouse of U.S. energy, with natural gas production surging from under 10 to over 37 billion cubic feet per day in just a decade.

This chart shows how natural gas production from Appalachia has grown over the past decade.

Fast Facts

#1

8th largest electricity producer and fourth-largest electricity sales in 2023 (EIA)

#2

6th highest energy consumption in the industrial sector and 7th highest in the transportation sector in 2023 (EIA)

#3

Ohio ranks 8th in U.S. natural gas production (2024, EIA)

#4

Ohio ranks 8th in U.S. oil production (2024, EIA)

#5

Ranked #5 best regulatory environment in the U.S. (Forbes)

“A petrochemical facility in the Shale Crescent USA (Utica & Marcellus shale regions) generates a net present value four times higher than the Gulf Coast.”

Jerry James / Artex Oil Company

Leading Energy & Petrochemical Companies in the Ohio SE Region

Natural Gas

Natural gas is one of Southeast Ohio’s strongest competitive advantages. Eleven modern natural gas-fired plants operate in the region, fueled by the Utica and Marcellus shales. This close access to supply lowers transportation costs, reduces supply chain risks, and helps keep fuel pricing stable for energy generation.

For companies serving the natural gas industry, the region offers co-location opportunities with a robust network of producers, processors, and customers. The same shale gas that powers our grid also fuels downstream manufacturing and petrochemical production, creating a tightly connected industrial ecosystem.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is a growing opportunity in Southeast Ohio, and it aligns directly with federal priorities for energy security and expanding domestic nuclear capacity. In Pike County, the legacy of uranium enrichment at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant provides a federally controlled site, deep nuclear expertise, and a cleared workforce, all of which are drawing attention from advanced nuclear developers.

The site and portable-text area are well-positioned to attract:

Small modular reactor (SMR) developers
Nuclear fuel recyclers and fabricators
Advanced isotope producers
Companies across the broader nuclear supply chain, including engineering, fabrication, and logistics firms

Federal land transfers have begun, and reindustrialization planning is already underway, creating long-term opportunities for nuclear innovation and secure, carbon-free energy production.

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Next-Generation Power Solutions

As the nation accelerates its transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems, Southeast Ohio offers the space, infrastructure, and expertise to support next-generation power solutions. Federal and industry priorities are driving rapid growth in clean hydrogen production, utility-scale battery storage, and advanced grid technologies, and our region is ready to deliver.

Projects here benefit from a robust transmission network, abundant water resources, and industrial sites with the capacity for large-scale generation, storage, and manufacturing. Former industrial land and reclaimed sites are being repurposed for utility-scale solar development, while our central location and multimodal transport options make it easier to build and distribute advanced energy technologies to markets nationwide.

Coal Power

Coal remains an important part of Southeast Ohio’s energy mix, supplying dependable baseload power and reinforcing grid stability. The region is home to three of Ohio’s largest coal-fired power plants, all connected to a strong transmission network with rail and barge access.

These legacy sites also offer redevelopment potential, with skilled workforces and infrastructure already in place for heavy power generation or new industrial uses.

Key Regional Assets

Ohio has nine foreign trade zones and is the only state in the Midwest with direct shipping routes to Europe for both container and heavy goods. Our taxes, wage rates, and utility costs are below national and regional averages. Ohio taxes are some of the most favorable in the USA for manufacturing or any business selling goods and services outside of Ohio. In 2021, the Tax Foundation ranked Ohio 4th most favorable for capital-intensive manufacturers for mature firms and 3rd for capital-intensive manufacturing for new firms.

Why Ohio Southeast

Reliable, Low-Cost Energy - Local generation from natural gas, coal, and renewables keeps industrial power rates stable and competitive.

Advanced Nuclear - Readiness Existing uranium enrichment operations, community alignment around nuclear activity, and a trained workforce experienced in nuclear technologies.

Heavy Industrial Infrastructure - Robust power grid, substations, water and sewer capacity, and multimodal logistics — including road, rail, and barge.

Access to Waterways - Strategic barge transport for bulk materials, critical minerals, fuels, and finished products.

Ready-to-Build Sites - Shovel-ready industrial sites and spec buildings with utilities, access, and zoning for rapid deployment.

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American natural gas production has boomed over the past two decades and the benefits of shale gas for southeast Ohio have been immense. This growth is in large part thanks...