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reports, general information and meeting information
http://westmorelandmarcellus.blogspot.com/
* Our email address: westmcg@gmail.com
* To contact your state
legislator:
For the email address, click on the envelope under the photo
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photos.
Calendar/Events
CPLV Third Tuesday of the month , 7:30 PM, UU
Church in Ligonier
Westmoreland
Marcellus Citizens’ Group- Second Tuesday of the month, 7:30 PM, email Jan for
directions
Local
Permits/ Decisions/Violations
(This is only a partial list. Please sign up for
SkyTruth Alerts (see link at the bottom of the newsletter) to receive Skytruth
notices.)
***Apex
Violation Quest Spill-Penn Twp
Skytruth
Alert
Apex
Energy (Pa) Llc
Violation
Type Administrative
Violation
Date 2016-12-02
Violation
Code 78a55(b) - CONTROL AND DISPOSAL PLANNING – PPC Plan - Operator failed to
prepare and develop a site specific PPC plan prior to storing, using, or
generating regulated substances on a well site from the drilling, alteration,
production, plugging or other activity associated with a gas well or
transporting those regulated substances to, on or from a well site.
Violation
ID 774277
Permit
API 129-28892
Unconventional
Y
County
Westmoreland
Municipality
Penn Twp
Inspection Type Incident- Response to Accident
or Event
Comments Inspection performed in response to
Emergency Response Team’s (ERT) request for a Department follow-up to an odor
complaint received by ERT on 12/1/2016. NRC Incident Report (#1165394) relating
to odor complaint stated a release of 2 ounces of mercaptan (odorant) from the
unconventional drill pad due to unknown reasons. Prior to this inspection,
Emergency Response Incident Report and Operator stated initial clean-up measures on the day of the incident consisted of the
removal of three sealed 5 gallon plastic buckets of impacted soil. Operator
stated that Deomer (deodorant) to
neutralize the smell of the mercaptan was applied on the impacted area. A
plastic mat/tarp was also placed over the impacted area to suppress the odor
until remediation of the soil could be conducted the next day. On 12/2/2016 @
11:00 WQS-Alawattegama, OGI-Braunns and AQS-Miller arrived on site to conduct a
joint inspection. At the time of inspection, Lance Casaday, Jim Drinkwine
(contractors for Operator) and, clean-up crew were present on site. Operator
explained that Apex Energy personnel were in the process of performing scheduled maintenance work that
involved replacing the manifold that is attached to a 1000 gallon mercaptan
tank. At around 11:30am operator personnel damaged the 1/4” line connected to
the mercaptan tank. This line had approximately 2-3 ounces of residual
mercaptan that was released to the ground. Operator estimates that the 1000
gallon tank had less than 30 gallons of mercaptan at the time of the incident.
Spill occurred on the gravel well pad beneath the mercaptan line. Impacted area
measured approximately 15’x15’. Clean-up operations had not yet commenced at
the time of inspection. The Department did not detect any odors until within 6-10ft
of the impacted area. An Altair 5x gas meter was used to conduct gas monitoring
(VOC’s H2S, CO, and combustibles) of the air in the vicinity of the
(unexcavated) impacted area. The meters did not indicate the presence of VOC’s,
H2S, CO, or combustible gas at the time of inspection. During the inspection,
clean-up crew proceeded with excavating the impacted soil and gravel which was
placed in steel drums and sealed pending appropriate disposal. Altair 5x gas
meter was used to conduct gas monitoring (VOC’s H2S, CO, and combustibles) of
the air in the vicinity of the excavated (impacted) area. The meters did not
indicate the presence of VOC’s, H2S, CO, or combustible gas at the time of
inspection. The 1,000 gallon mercaptan tank was located within secondary
containment and both the tank and containment appeared structurally sound. The
odorant mercaptan tank was not labeled at the time of inspection. PPC and ER
plans were located on site. PPC plan does not appear to be site specific as
mercaptan was not listed as a material being stored at this specific well site.
ER plan did not include Safety Data (SD) sheets for the odorant (Mercaptan) and
deodorant (Deomer). Department requested Operator provide a written report
detailing the cause, nature of release, and actions taken to remediate and
future actions/plans to prevent such incidents as well as copies of SD sheets
for chemicals released and applied as a result of the odorant release.
Department also requests Operator explain how volume of odorant released was
estimated (e.g. odorant tank readings before and after release) and/or any
other means. Violations are being issued under 25 PA CODE 78a. Additional
violations may be forthcoming pending Departmental investigation. Department
will conduct a follow-up inspection. Department will conduct follow-up
inspection. Additional violations issued under: 78A55(I)5I Emergency Response
78A66(B)1 Reporting and Remediating Spills and Releases 78A66(B)1I Reporting
and Remediating Spills and Releases 78A66(B)2 Reporting and Remediating Spills
and Releases
Violation(s)
ID: 774277 Date: 2016-12-02 Type:
Administrative
78a55(b) - CONTROL AND DISPOSAL PLANNING – PPC
Plan - Operator failed to prepare and develop a site specific PPC plan prior to
storing, using, or generating regulated substances on a well site from the
drilling, alteration, production, plugging or other activity associated with a
gas well or transporting those regulated substances to, on or from a well site.
Additional violations issued under: 78A55(I)5I Emergency Response 78A66(B)1
Reporting and Remediating Spills and Releases 78A66(B)1I Reporting and
Remediating Spills and Releases 78A66(B)2 Reporting and Remediating Spills and
Releases
Enforcement Action(s)
ID Code
349372 NOV - Notice of Violation
***
Fairfield Twp Violation
PA Permit Violation Issued to Keyrock
Energy Llc in Fairfield Twp, Westmoreland County
Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 2016-11-09 to
Keyrock Energy Llc in Fairfield Twp, Westmoreland county. 78.54 - GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS - Operator failed to
control and dispose of fluids, residual waste and drill cuttings, including
tophole water, brines, drilling fluids, drilling muds, stimulation fluids, well
servicing fluids, oil, and production fluids in a manner that prevents pollution
of the waters of the Commonwealth. Department
observed what appears to be remnants of a prior spill, as indicated by black,
visibly stained soil/gravel, with areas of visible sheen. Impacted area is
surrounding the wellhead and measures approximately 5’x5’.
Tags: PADEP, frack, violation,
http://alerts.skytruth.org/…/5a9db5b2-37d6-336f-869e-381a46…
***Derry
Gas Well Permit
Well Type: Gas
Permit Issued: 2016-12-01 00:00:00
Operator: WPX
ENERGY APPALACHIA LLC
Site
Name: DURALIA 1-5H
Township: Derry Twp
County: Westmoreland
Permit Type: New
Description: Drill & Operate Well Permit
Unconventional: Yes
Horizontal: Y
Total Depth:
Well API Number: 129-28934
OGO Number: OGO-39155
Facility ID: 812146
***Salem
Twp Faulk Pad Permit
Report Details
Well Type: Gas
Permit Issued: 2016-11-29 00:00:00
Operator:
APEX ENERGY (PA) LLC
Site
Name: FAULK PAD 7H
Township: Salem Twp
County: Westmoreland
Permit Type: New
Description: Drill & Operate Well Permit
Unconventional: Yes
Horizontal: Y
Total Depth:
Well API Number: 129-28932
OGO Number: OGO-39639
Facility ID: 811980
***Delmont
Fatur Pad Permit
DEP drilling approval for the Fatur well pad
(Apex company) about 3800 ft from the Delmont Catholic church and homes (2
wells so far):
Report Details
Well Type: Gas
Permit Issued: 2016-10-20 00:00:00
Operator: APEX ENERGY (PA) LLC
Site Name: FATUR PAD 10H
Township: Salem Twp
County: Westmoreland
Zoning Decisions and Court Cases
***Apex
Settlement Means Gas Wells Are Approved in Penn Twp.
Apex
would sue for $300 million
“December 6, 2016 The settlement automatically approves the Beattie
and Draftina well pads that had previously been denied by the Zoning Hearing
Board, and thus renders Protect PT’s appeal of the case before the Westmoreland
Court of Common Pleas moot. The settlement also allows the hearings for Numis,
Deutsch and Drakulic sites to appear before the Zoning Hearing Board. Protect PT
feels this decision was not permissible and violates our due process and
constitutional rights. It was apparent that Resolution No.104-2016 would be
passed without further discussion, without consideration of public comment, and
that this meeting was a mere “formality.”
http://www.protectpt.org/single-post/2016/12/06/Apex-Holds-Penn-Township-Hostage-For-Ransom
***Appeal
of Kiskadden Water Case, Commonwealth Court Decision--Despite
Range’s record of spills
and leaks, the Court says no proof water affected
"Loren Kishkadden will appeal a PA Commonwealth Court ruling
that takes to task the “reckless” drilling operations of Range Resources, but
finds the Washington County landowner failed to prove the company’s leaky
Yeager gas drilling site contaminated his water well.
Mr. Kiskadden’s attorneys, John and Kendra Smith, said they will
appeal the Commonwealth Court’s 6-1 decision to the state Supreme Court within
30 days.
The majority
opinion also noted that at least 15 leaks, spills and overflows occurred
between March 2010 and June 2011 at the Yeager drill site in Amwell, impacting
the environment and contaminating soil and springs. Some of those leaks and
spills were not reported to the state DEP, the opinion found, while others were
not reported accurately.
“Range’s reckless business practices, combined with its repeated
failure to report problems at the Yeager site, are irresponsible in the
extreme,” the court wrote in its conclusion. “The list of leaks and spills is
troubling.”
Mr. Smith said his client’s appeal will focus on the Hearing Board’s
failure to consider evidence of other well and spring contamination in the area
caused by Range’s operations, as well as other legal issues. The Supreme Court
has the discretion to hear the appeal or not.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/…/Gas-dril…/stories/201611010192
Ordinance
Activity
***December
Murrysville Council Meeting- On Gas Ordinance, buffers
https
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ0wn2rkHug&feature=youtu.be
***Forest
Hills Had a Ban --Now Caves to the Industry
"Forest Hills — one of the first Pennsylvania municipalities to
ban fracking — is set to adopt a zoning
ordinance that would allow conditional oil and gas drilling in some areas."
http://triblive.com/mobile/11311433-96/ordinance-borough-demarco
Hearings
***Mariner
East-YouTube About potential Mariner East disaster scenario at a joint hearing in
Harrisburg.
Bibianna Dussling, a veteran Navy helicopter pilot and emergency
preparedness officer who lives with her family in Delaware County: "I
cannot, in good conscience, send my child to school nor remain in our community
without such issues resolved, any more than I could embark upon a mission with
unacceptable risks to my air crew.
"If I could not mitigate such risks," she said, "it
was my duty to cancel the mission."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZQQrwT-UEU&feature=share
Regs
***Chapter
78 Regulations began October 8
After six long
years, Pennsylvania's new unconventional drilling regulations are set to take
effect Oct. 8, despite opposition from the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas
Association (PIOGA).
Some details:
· The new regs prohibit the storage of waste in pits at shale wells.
Waste must be stored in tanks with secondary impoundments.
· Drillers will have to restore any tainted water to its original
condition or better.
· The new rules presume that any water contamination near a new well
is the driller's fault, but allow for pre drilling water tests to rebut that
presumption.
· The 100 foot setback of a well from water resources remains, but
requires notification of responsible state agencies if a well is within 200
feet of a public park or forest, as well as notification of a public water
utility if it is within 1,000 feet of a utility's water extraction point.
The new regs affect only unconventional shale drillers. Most
environmental groups were pleased with the new rules, but shale gas drillers
were not. For more information:
WITF STATE IMPACT / Marie Cusick
https://stateimpact.npr.org/…/trade-group-seeks-to-block-n…/
POST-GAZETTE / Laura Legere
http://powersource.post-gazette.com/…/…/stories/201610070192
BUT
“The Legislature is
considering bills and amendments that would ease some of the new standards
by requiring less frequent waste reporting, less stringent construction
standards for freshwater holding ponds and more time for well site restoration
without companies needing to ask DEP for an extension.”
Other Fracking News
***Murrysville
School Evacuation
***From: Murrysville Medic One Facebook Site
“Four business plazas, multiple
pre-school facilities, four school buildings, and multiple independent
businesses were evacuated. Nearly 1200
people were medically evaluated and over 60 patients in total were transported
to hospitals. EMS agencies from Westmoreland, Allegheny, Indiana and
Fayette Counties responded. Also fire departments from Westmoreland and
Allegheny Counties responded. Saying thank you just doesn't say enough about
your response and assistance today.”
WTAE Nov 9, 2016
MURRYSVILLE, Pa. —
The Franklin Regional middle and high schools and two elementary
schools were evacuated due to a natural gas odor in the vicinity of the schools
on Wednesday.
Westmoreland County
emergency dispatchers confirmed the evacuations.
Officials confirmed
60 people, including 49 students from the middle school, one adult and 10
patients from other area businesses were taken to area hospitals with
non-life-threatening injuries.
Another natural gas
odor was reported at nearby Redstone Highlands Senior Living Communities.
Middle school
students were out of their building the longest, as emergency medical crews
evaluated dozens of students with nausea, headaches or other
non-life-threatening symptoms.
"As I was
walking out, I saw a bunch of kids on stretchers going into an ambulance and
getting transported to the hospital," junior Mason Blumling said.
School activities
resumed as normal around 1 p.m.
"We have been
communicating with our parents through releases and constant contact
information, as well as global connect calls," superintendent Dr. Gennaro
Piraino said. "As parents, we want them to know that our first and
foremost priority is the health, safety and welfare of our students."
Murrysville Police
Chief Thomas Seefeld said a disabled truck was located on Route 22 that had
been leaking differential fluid due to a mechanical failure. This occurred
prior to police receiving the calls about the odor. The truck was burning the
fluid traveling on Route 22. The differential fluid gives off a similar odor as
natural gas or propane.
Hazmat rechecked all
the schools with meters and they all had negative results.
A Peoples Gas
spokesman said crews were on-site and did not find a leak in the area. Crews
were expected to work at a site in nearby Plum, but those lines had not been
bled at the time the report was made to 911, Barry Kukovich said. He added that
anytime gas line bleeding is planned, gas crews call 911 to inform them of the
pending work in the event residents call to report the odor.
60 taken to hospital after natural gas odor near Franklin Regional Middle
School
School evacuated Wednesday morning
in Murrysville
Jan’s notes
DEP has not
been able to verify the cause of this incident. Haz mat was not called to the
scene immediately by the fire chief even though students were being transported
to the hospital. In Westmoreland County, the protocol is that a fire chief has
to call hazmat-- 911 will not dispatch hazmat despite the fact that they had
received numerous calls in this case. Hazmat did do testing later in the day, but
fumes had obviously dissipated. Peoples Gas had originally stated they were
cleaning lines but then “revised” that statement, stating that the cleaning of
the lines occurred two hours after the incident. Several of us have had multiple conversations
with the DEP, to try to determine speicifically what was in air emissions children
were exposed to. No one at the agency
has put forth the differential fluid story and DEP never confirmed that story.
People reported the smell of mercaptan being in the air which indicates natural
gas.
Timeline (This is the timeline we have identified)
9:39 Murrysville Police Dept
Timestamp 9:39 --Advisory:
Report of a strong smell of natural gas on SR 22 from Blue Spruce to Cozy Inn.
Call 911 to report any issues.
Report of a strong smell of natural gas on SR
22 from Blue Spruce to Cozy Inn. Call 911 to report any issues. Evacuate
building if needed, extinguish open flames, and call 911 for an ambulance if
anyone feels ill.
At 9:39, parents received an email NIXEL alert about the natural gas smell.
(Fire whistle, etc. came earlier than 9:30)
At 10:12, the Franklin Regional Robocalls and emails
went out notifying parents that the kids
were evacuated.
At 12:21, the Franklin Regional Robocalls and emails went out notifying
parents that the MS was cleared but that they were going to feed
the kids lunch before sending them back to the MS.
By 12:00 -12:30 Parents noted that the Superintendent was
on site by 12:00-12:30 (so this could have been earlier) and
said he got a call from People's. So People's had called the superintendent
sometime prior to 12:00.
***Mercaptan
“On the toxicity of methyl mercaptan.
"Methyl mercaptan is absorbed rapidly through inhalation and minimally
through skin and eye exposure. The gas is absorbed rapidly through the
respiratory system and ultimately reaches the vascular system.
Inhalation exposures: Symptoms may include fever, cough, dyspnea,
tightness and burning in the chest, dizziness, headache, loss of sense of
smell, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Inhalation may cause CNS depression,
respiratory irritation, respiratory paralysis, pulmonary edema, tremors and
seizures. It may also cause liver and kidney damage, tachycardia and
hypertension. Methemoglobinemia and severe hemolytic anemia with hematuria and
protenuria have been reported in a patient with G-6-PD deficiency."
*** Residents
Address Westmoreland County Commissioners-
County Commissioners Meeting –
Dec 15- 2016
Eight county
residents spoke to the Commissioners on Dec 15, accompanied by at least another
10 supporters.
Speakers commented on
Air pollutant
emergencies/Hazmat – We have an immediate, critical need for a better use of our high
quality hazmat and other emergency resources to sample air immediately in any
situation where air pollutants are involved.
Several speakers pointed out the unacceptable situation recently when
many people we harmed by a substance; e.g., no one can tell parents of 49 kids
what sent those kids to the hospital on Nov. 9. Also, in only the last few
weeks we had at least 2 accidents with air pollutants released, but no air
testing. Even if a complete analysis of
air pollutants cannot be done in every emergency situation involving air
pollutants, at least samples could be collected.
A moratorium - Several speakers pointed out the need for a
moratorium, as called by the unanimous
vote of PA physicians, e.g.,
citing one leader’s comments that the health harm we now see outweighs any
economic gains. Also, given the large
number- over 500 peer-reviewed articles
-- that now document harm from fracking industry operations, the evidence is
clear. An oncologist compared the current situation to the avoidable tragedies
she sees every day as she talks with her cancer patients who smoked. They tell
her that if they had been told of the harm smoking caused, they would not have
waited so long to stop smoking or ban smoking from public places. Now that we know shale gas operations are a
public health harm, the commissioners should not wait to act.
Bullying Lawsuits from Gas Extraction
Corporations - Several speakers asked the Commissioners to do their proper job at
managing industries that cross over township lines, in this case, the shale gas
industry. Small townships should not have to spend thousands to defend themselves
against $380 million lawsuits from a heavy industry that wants to put dangerous
operations near homes and schools.
Communities whose tax base depends on homes and farms with reliable
clean air and water should not have to
alter land use plans to please heavy industry owners, most of whom live far
from here and whose profits will mostly go elsewhere . The municipal codes
and recent court decisions support the rights of municipalities to regulate
land use, but re-stating this in a court
battle in each municipality is too costly for taxpayers. The
county is not doing enough to protect its citizens and save our tax payers
unnecessary legal fees
***PA
Doctors Assoc. Calls for Moratorium and Asks For Health Study
"The state’s largest
association of doctors has called for a moratorium on new shale gas drilling
and hydraulic fracturing, and is urging the state to establish an independent
health registry and initiate a study on its impacts on public health.
The
Pennsylvania Medical Society’s 300-member House of Delegates unanimously
approved a resolution calling for the fracking moratorium, registry and
research at its annual meeting on Sunday.
Walter Tsou, also of Montgomery County, the author of the resolution
and a nationally known consultant on public health and health care reform, noted
that a similar resolution was rejected three years ago, but now, “growing
evidence has shown its increasing deleterious effects outweighs any economic
benefit.”
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2016/10/27/Doctors-group-calls-for-moratorium-on-fracking-in-Pennsylvania/stories/201610270226
***Air
Testing At the Quest Site
"Recently
released: a study of air quality on the air quality impacts of the 2-well Quest
well pad near the site (Delmont and Manordale Farms areas),
Some findings:
1. Distance (and therefore
setbacks!!) matter: "The analysis showed that the Specks we placed
outside the homes recorded about two to
four peaks of PM 2.5 per day at all five houses over a 32-day period during our
monitoring. Peaks were substantially higher closer to the well pad, at
Moore’s house. The Speck on his porch [500 ft away] recorded peaks more often
and at higher levels than Specks farther away."
“This fits with the expectation that the source of PM 2.5 is closer
to this residence than it is to the remaining four homes,” EHP researchers
concluded.
2. Short-term exposure was
common: "EHP researchers found that peaks of PM 2.5 at all five houses
were high enough to potentially cause
upper respiratory problems in sensitive populations including children, the
elderly and people with asthma."
3. "None of the
residents participating in this project reported health problems to me.
However, in October 2015, when the drillers
were using incinerators to combust gas, several people living within 1 to 2
miles of the gas site reported sore throats and coughing fits to Protect
PT, a local citizens group against fracking near homes."
4. Methodology and industry and DEP responses are also included.”
Summary by Alyson Holt
***EP
Issues WPX Drilling Permit While Six Families Are Still Without Potable Water-Near Donegal Lake on Rt 711
heading south from Ligonier
“Contact: Melissa Marshall, 724-455-4200 x7
WPX Energy Has Yet to Remedy Water Contamination Issues in Donegal
Township, Westmoreland County
Donegal Township: In October 2016, WPX Energy Appalachia, LLC (WPX)
began construction of a new gas well on the 27-acre Kalp site in Donegal
Township, Westmoreland County. The
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) issued WPX a new
Drill and Operate permit in April 2016 even though for the last several years,
six families have lived without potable water as a result of well water
contamination from WPX operations on the site.
Since
2012 PADEP has issued at least five contamination determination letters and at
least four water replacement letters. These orders require WPX to permanently
restore or replace the contaminated water supplies
in accordance with sections 3218 and 3253 of the 2012 Oil and Gas Act. Despite
the issuance of these orders, the families are still forced to rely on bottled
water and Reverse Osmosis water treatment systems that are not adequate to
supply their daily needs.
“Residents are required to bathe, clean and
cook with water PADEP has determined is contaminated. Many of the folks
affected are elderly or have physical disabilities which increases their
hardship as a result of this situation—a situation from which they did not
benefit financially,” said Krissy Kasserman, Deputy Director of the nearby
Mountain Watershed Association (MWA). “Local
property assessors have concluded the homes with contamination are essentially
valueless, due to the lack of running potable water. This is a completely
unacceptable situation and an outrageously unfair burden for these families to
carry.”
MWA has submitted a letter to PADEP calling on
the agency to hold WPX accountable for the water contamination and to enforce
the law. The letter states, “WPX has
begun construction of a newly permitted well on the Kalp site. They do so
despite the fact that they are in daily violation of at least four Orders from
the Department. Operators should not be rewarded for violating the Department’s
binding consent orders, or for violating Pennsylvanian’s right to clean air and
clean water. It is critical that the Department hold WPX accountable and
enforce the laws the Department was created to enforce.”
The permit for the new well (DEP Permit
#1096064) can be found here:
http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eF…/searchResults_singleSite.aspx…
The newly updated Chapter 78a regulations on
fracking activity went into effect on October 8, 2016. They impose even higher
standards for operators who have contaminated water supplies. Yet the PADEP has
yet to enforce the previous regulations and they continue to disregard their
own protocol by issuing drilling permits to operators who violate
administrative orders as is the case in Donegal Township.
eFACTS on the Web
AHS.DEP.PA.GOV”
***Public
Herald Presents Records On The Woodlands’ Water Case
“The complaint records discussed are part of a Public Herald three
year investigation. The impacted residents from the Woodlands were denied
access to the complaint records when an NGO requested them on their behalf in
2014 — yesterday was the first time they heard what the records said about
their case. In 2017, our newsroom will release all of the records for 40 of 40
shale gas counties in the state.
This presentation was hosted by Marcellus Outreach Butler as part of
the six year anniversary of The Woodlands water crisis.”
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C4V2Mqraao&feature=youtu.be&t=48m10s
***Reading
Eagle Became The First Major Paper In Pennsylvania To Call For A Statewide Moratorium On Fracking
http://www.readingeagle.com/…/editorial-demand-for-fracking…
***Wolf
Takes Money From Alternative Energy For Gas Pipelines
"Governor Tom Wolf’s administration announced it would begin
accepting grant applications to fund up to $24 million in projects to make
natural gas available to Pennsylvania schools, manufacturers, hospitals, and
other businesses.
The Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) grants will help construct
the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines needed to connect supply
with demand.
The PIPE
program is funded by shifting $12 million annually for the next two years from
the state’s Alternative Energy Investment Act, which provided grants for clean
energy projects.”
***"Pennsylvania
Republicans Want To Join In Legal Battle To Allow Fracking In The Delaware River Basin.
“In a court filing, state Sens. Joseph Scarnati, Lisa Baker and Gene
Yaw urged the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania to allow them to join a group of landowners
challenging a long-standing drilling freeze in the 13,539-square-mile
watershed, which includes parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and
Delaware.
The de-facto moratorium has been in place since 2010 while the
interstate Delaware River Basin Commission considers rules for hydraulic
fracturing." http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2016/10/27/stories/1060044868
***EPA
Listens To Science Advisory Board & Confirms Fracking Impacts Drinking Water
“Last year the EPA released a draft study of fracking’s impacts to
drinking water. The study’s summary
stated, “We did not find evidence that these mechanisms [hydraulic fracturing
operations] have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water
resources in the United States.”
That report
has been widely used by the fracking industry and its backers to claim that
fracking is “safe.”
But the report’s own data (which was entirely self-reported by the
industry), finds several clear incidents of contamination, and certainly no
conclusion of safety can be drawn from such a limited, industry-approved
study."
“The EPA reversed itself to confirm that fracking has an adverse
impact on drinking water. The panel took
particular issue with a finding that seemingly came out of left field: the
agency’s statement that fracking has not led to “widespread systemic impacts”
in the United States, which did not have clear, scientific basis of support.”
http://www.paagainstfracking.org/breaking-epa-listens-to-science-advisory-board-confirms-fracking-impacts-drinking-water/
***DEP
Fines Rice Energy $3.5 Million for Violations At 10 Well Sites and 6 Pipeline Locations.
“Rice was fined for: An unpermitted wastewater impoundment that
leaked, wells that were improperly constructed, rules that were violated for
erosion and sediment control, permits that were not obtained, and other
infractions in Green and Washington Counties.”
(Latrobe Bulletin, Dec. 8, AP Press)
***Ft.
Cherry Schools - Supervisors Allowed Fracking 3/4 Mile From The School Compound
"About 20 parents and activists sought to pressure Mt. Pleasant
Township supervisors, alleging a natural gas driller violated a condition of a
permit for a well pad near Fort Cherry Schools – an assertion township
officials rejected.
Several parents spoke during the board of supervisors monthly
meeting, saying trucks belonging to a subcontractor working for Range Resources
interfered with school bus traffic during students’ morning commute earlier
this month. Township supervisors granted a permit for a well pad at the Yonkers
site – about 3/4 mile from the district campus, 110 Fort Cherry Road.”
http://www.observer-reporter.com/20161026/fort_cherry_parents_complain_about_prep_for_planned_yonkers_pad
***Westmoreland
County Continues To Push The Use Of Gas Which Increases
The Demand For Fracking.
"Westmoreland County
Transit Authority will begin converting its bus fleet next year to compressed
natural gas as part of a statewide project.
Authority board members this week unanimously approved a contract
with PennDOT to allow for the installation of natural gas pumps by summer at
the agency's Hempfield maintenance facility."
http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/11346357-74/authority-gas-natural
***Public
Not Informed Of ND Spills
"North Dakota had nearly
300 oil pipeline spills in less than two years, none of which were reported to
the public. From January 2012 – September 2013, these pipeline spills were
just a part of approximately 750 “oil field incidents” that took place in the
state without the public’s knowledge, according to a report by The Associated
Press. It’s estimated that around 4,328 barrels worth of oil were spilled in
this period."
***Sunoco
Gas Pipeline Ruptures In Lycoming County
"Flash floods and landslides in north-central Pennsylvania have
caused a Sunoco pipeline to rupture, spilling an estimated 55,000 gallons of gasoline into a tributary of Loyalsock creek in
Lycoming County."
https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/10/21/sunoco-gas-pipeline-ruptures-in-lycoming-county/
***Methane
Reaches New Levels—
Fracking Produces the Potent Greenhouse Gas
Methane
"New Threshold: 2015 Saw Average Carbon Dioxide Levels of 400
PPM
The planet has
crossed a new threshold: The average carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
throughout 2015 was 400 parts per million. This according to the World
Meteorological Organization. Scientists
have long warned carbon dioxide levels must remain below 400 parts per
million—if not below 350 parts per million—to avoid catastrophic climate
change. Scientists predict the carbon dioxide levels will not dip below 400
parts per million on average for decades to come, even if there are aggressive
measures taken to cut global carbon emissions. 2016 is also slated to be the
hottest year on record." https://www.democracynow.org/2016/10/25/headlines/new_threshold_2015_saw_average_carbon_dioxide_levels_of_400_ppm
***Puzzling
Concentration Of Greenhouse Gas Methane In SW US Found To Be Coming From Gas Production
"The new study identified the sources with spectrometers aboard
aircraft that flew 3,000 to 10,000 feet above the ground over about 1,200
square miles.
Researchers
identified more than 250 sources of a methane hot spot over the Four Corners
region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. They include gas wells, storage tanks, pipelines and processing plants.
"Where we saw the biggest anomalies from space, that's where we
put our target area," said Christian Frankenberg, lead author of the
study.” http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f22a932ee8314c18affd75381c861edf/study-most-sources-methane-hot-spot-are-gas-facilities
Research 
***Fracking
Linked to Cancer-Causing Chemicals, New Yale School of Public Health Study --Leukemia
Lymphoma Risk “Expansive new analysis by Yale School of Public
Health researchers confirms that numerous carcinogens involved in the
controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing have the potential to
contaminate air and water in nearby communities. According to the findings, the
majority of chemicals (>80 percent)
lacked sufficient data on cancer-causing potential, highlighting an
important knowledge gap. Of the 119
compounds with sufficient data, 44 percent of the water pollutants and 60
percent of air pollutants were either confirmed or possible carcinogens.
Because some chemicals could be released to both air and water, the study
revealed a total of 55 unique compounds with carcinogenic potential.
Furthermore, 20 chemicals had evidence
of increased risk for leukemia or lymphoma specifically. This analysis
creates a priority list of carcinogens to target for future exposure and health
studies." http://publichealth.yale.edu/news/article.aspx?id=13714
"The majority of compounds (>
80%) were not evaluated by IARC and therefore could not be reviewed,
highlighting an important knowledge gap. A total of 17 water and 11 air
pollutants (20 unique compounds) had evidence of increased risk for leukemia/lymphoma, including benzene, 1,3-butadiene,
cadmium, diesel exhaust, and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
***Increase
of Certain Substance In Water Wells Near Fracking "A new study
has found heightened concentrations of
some common substances in drinking water near sites where hydraulic fracturing
has taken place. The substances are not
at dangerous levels and their sources are unclear, but the researchers say the findings suggest underground
disturbances that could be harbingers of
eventual water-quality problems. The study may be the first of its kind to
spot such broad trends.
The researchers, from Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory and other institutions, found that both distance and topography play a role. In lowland drinking wells
within one kilometer (about six-tenths of a mile) of a drill site, they found
higher levels of dissolved calcium, chlorine, sulfates and iron. In lowland
wells more than a kilometer away, they found higher levels of methane, sodium
and manganese compared with equally distant wells on higher ground. Upland
wells within a kilometer of a drill site showed no specific trends."
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/teia-slg111516.php
***Water
Used For Fracking In Water-Stressed Areas
"New Ceres research shows that 57 percent of hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells over the past
five years were in regions of high water competition, particularly in Texas
and Colorado, creating significant long-term water sourcing risks for communities,
companies operating in these regions, and their investors."
https://www.ceres.org/press/press-releases/new-data-water-use-in-hydraulic-fracturing-a-key-risk-in-water-stressed-regions-in-texas-and-colorado-1
*** Report Dangerous and Close – Fracking Puts the Nation’s Most Vulnerable People
at Risk: Children and the elderly at risk from "dangerous and
close" fracking
Boston, Mass.– More than 650,000 kindergarten through twelfth grade
children in nine states attend school within one mile of a fracked oil or gas
well, putting them at increased risk of health impacts from dangerous chemicals
and air pollution.
The finding
comes from a new study by Environment America Research & Policy Center that
exposes the proximity of fracking near schools, hospitals, day care centers and
nursing homes, risking the health of our children and other vulnerable
populations.
Using data provided by the oil and gas industry and state
regulators, Dangerous and Close –
Fracking Puts the Nation’s Most Vulnerable People at Risk found that:
*1,947 child care facilities, 1,376 schools, 236 nursing care
providers and 103 hospitals are within a one-mile radius of fracked wells in
the nine states examined.
*More than 650,000 kindergarten through twelfth grade children
attend school within one mile of a fracked well.
*The highest percentage of children attending school close to
fracked wells is in West Virginia, where 8 percent of children spend their
school days within one mile of a fracked well.
*Texas has the largest number of children attending school close to
a well, with 437,000 kindergarten through twelfth grade students attending
public or private school within one mile of a fracked well.
The report included data from nine states total including Arkansas,
California, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and
West Virginia.
Letter To the Editor
“Would you mind adding 50 truck trips a day down your road?
How about 50 truck trips an hour?
According to the article in Saturday's Trib, Huntley and
Huntley, Inc. are proposing "to drill one or two wells in Penn
Township."
Their engineer, Nathan Garlitz, projected that the maximum
truck trips the site would generate was "NO MORE THAN 50 PER HOUR."
Not 50 per day; this is 50 per hour during peak traffic! And this is for just
one or two wells!
This is one reality of fracking. Is this what you want for
your neighborhood, your town, our county?
Sincerely,
Vickie Oles
Frack Links
and Resources
***Link to Shalefield Stories-Personal stories of
those affected by fracking http://www.friendsoftheharmed.com/
***To sign up for Skytruth
notifications of activity and violations for your area:
*** List of the Harmed--There are now
over 1400 residents of Pennsylvania who have placed their names on the list of
the harmed when they became sick after fracking began in their area. http://pennsylvaniaallianceforcleanwaterandair.wordpress.com/the-list/
*** To See Water Test Results of
the Beaver Run Reservoir
IUP students test for TDS, pH, metals- arsenic, chromium, and strontium.
We have not seen results for
other frack chemicals including the organics BTEX group, or cesium for example.
Here is a link to the IUP site:
***From the Environmental Integrity Project: How to report an
environmental incident in your area: https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/3160b3df-9661-438d-aae9-652950430355
***Renewables is Doable NOW--Report from Delaware Riverkeepers
"Delaware Riverkeepers has issued a report by Synapse
and EQ that lays out how PA can meet all its energy needs with 100% renewables
by 2050 and very far along by 2030, with no new fossil fuel plants starting
NOW.
For a copy of the report go to: http://www.synapse-energy.com/sites/default/files/Envisioning_PAs_Energy_Future_Public
Webinar_Slides.pdf
***Protect Our Children
Newsletter
information-Please Contact Jan Milburn
