Natural gas presentation focuses on both the positive and negative
NEW BERLIN – A presentation to discuss the impacts of natural gas development in Bradford County, Penn. was held Tuesday night at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in New Berlin.
Approximately one hundred area residents turned out for the two-hour talk hosted by Michael W. Lovegreen, District Manager of Pennsylvania’s Bradford County Conservation District and Chair of the Bradford County Gas Exploration Advisory Committee.
Following his presentation, those in attendance were permitted to ask questions, which varied from leasing to drilling patterns; from the health impact to roads issues.
Residents were receptive to Lovegreen’s demonstration and regardless of their stance on the natural gas issue at hand asked informed questions in an attempt to compare the natural gas situation in Bradford County to the potential natural gas impacts in Chenango County.
One of the first questions to arise concerned the alleged leaking of methane in Bradford County, to which Lovegreen stated three to five houses were impacted by the leaks, and that they happened early on in the process. Stricter regulations are in place now, he said, adding he is not sure where things stand right now with those few homeowners that were impacted.
Following a question regarding the pattern of drilling, Lovegreen said companies drill down approximately half a mile and make a turn, and all drills work in the same direction.
“It might be skewed up here,” he added, noting that even in Bradford County different areas see varying production rates of natural gas, and he could not speak for the amounts here in Chenango County.
Air quality and the health impact of drilling was a concern for residents, to which Lovegreen stated studies have been conducted regarding air quality in Bradford County and Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has determined the air “meets standards.” He also attested to a study to be conducted in Penn. correlating natural gas drilling and health impacts.
A concerned citizen in the audience asked if the trucks associated with the drilling process would interfere with emergency vehicles, to which Lovegreen responded in the affirmative. He explained it could take forty minutes for a traveler on the road to move three miles, so it can be concluded response time for emergency vehicles would subsequently be longer.
Lovegreen added those on drill sites are extensively trained to deal with accidents that may occur and first responders are told not to come onto sites in Bradford County. He said there are those on-site able to handle incidents with high pressure compressors and other equipment on-site, rather than bringing in additional first responders from the area.
He also discussed the importance of knowing the details of leases and all that is involved with signing a lease involving natural gas drilling. When a question arose about insurance rates, Lovegreen explained that – upon signing a lease – the homeowner becomes a co-owner of the well with the company, and unless there is a “hold harmless” clause in the lease, the signer shares the liability of what happens on the property.
Other issues regarded roads and noise of trucks. Lovegreen explained there would be heavy truck traffic for a period of time, likely 300 trucks a day into a site. While this is necessary for site development, some were worried about the impact on the roads, who would repair them, and how the noise might be bothersome as the trucks would travel around the clock.
In Bradford County, each drill site is its own industrial business, Lovegreen explained. He added good planning and site control is necessary as there is a lot happening at each site.
Safety measures were discussed, including the methods of bringing the brine up from below, separating the parts and taking hazardous materials to a HAZMAT landfill.
Lovegreen added early in the process of natural gas development that it is very likely 100 percent of the workers would be from out of state. These workers will prepare the pads, build the roads and take care of other initial tasks. He said that now, in Bradford County, they are beginning to turn the corner where some workers are more local.
“I haven’t seen any documentation where water has been damaged by fracturing ... it’s drilling itself,” Lovegreen said with regard to water supply replacement. The operator is responsible for replacing the supply, and if there is a complaint the DEP has 45 days to make a determination. He added in Penn., the driller is guilty until proven innocent if there is any issue with water.
According to Lovegreen, leases bring an influx of needed local revenue, but the local knowledge of leasing might be limited. Unemployment rates would decrease and he said a “boom” may result economically. Natural gas development has led to road improvement within his area, but consequently there was a period of reconstruction inconvenience and heavy truck traffic. The cultural diversity of the area where a drilling site would be located is bound to increase, a plus he added. The industry impacts on the environment were slated in the “negatives” column, to which he also attested it is very early on in the process to know now what the impacts will be in 600 years because of natural gas development.
In Bradford County, local industry and labor competition resulted from natural gas development. Companies were forced to pay higher wages if they wanted to remain vital. Legal assistance increased, which he said was lacking in the area. Education on the subject increased in the area, offering opportunities to those just completing high school. The number of CDL licensures increased. Bankers and real estate companies also received more business.
Planning, infrastructure and the environmental impact are three of the important keys with regard to natural gas development, he said.
Lovegreen’s presentation offered both the positive and negative impacts of natural gas. His expertise is Bradford County, therefore he couldn’t speak on Chenango County specifics, yet area residents were receptive to the information he provided.
Gas drilling impact tours are provided for those interested in witnessing firsthand the impact of natural gas development in Bradford and Susquehanna counties in Penn. Tours are approximately six hours long, including travel time from Norwich and a meal break. Tours are led by local, knowledgeable guides. Current available dates include Aug. 29, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Oct. 13, Oct. 19, and Nov. 13.
For further information call 226-0314 or email friendsofchenangocounty@gmail.com.
Approximately one hundred area residents turned out for the two-hour talk hosted by Michael W. Lovegreen, District Manager of Pennsylvania’s Bradford County Conservation District and Chair of the Bradford County Gas Exploration Advisory Committee.
Following his presentation, those in attendance were permitted to ask questions, which varied from leasing to drilling patterns; from the health impact to roads issues.
Residents were receptive to Lovegreen’s demonstration and regardless of their stance on the natural gas issue at hand asked informed questions in an attempt to compare the natural gas situation in Bradford County to the potential natural gas impacts in Chenango County.
One of the first questions to arise concerned the alleged leaking of methane in Bradford County, to which Lovegreen stated three to five houses were impacted by the leaks, and that they happened early on in the process. Stricter regulations are in place now, he said, adding he is not sure where things stand right now with those few homeowners that were impacted.
Following a question regarding the pattern of drilling, Lovegreen said companies drill down approximately half a mile and make a turn, and all drills work in the same direction.
“It might be skewed up here,” he added, noting that even in Bradford County different areas see varying production rates of natural gas, and he could not speak for the amounts here in Chenango County.
Air quality and the health impact of drilling was a concern for residents, to which Lovegreen stated studies have been conducted regarding air quality in Bradford County and Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has determined the air “meets standards.” He also attested to a study to be conducted in Penn. correlating natural gas drilling and health impacts.
A concerned citizen in the audience asked if the trucks associated with the drilling process would interfere with emergency vehicles, to which Lovegreen responded in the affirmative. He explained it could take forty minutes for a traveler on the road to move three miles, so it can be concluded response time for emergency vehicles would subsequently be longer.
Lovegreen added those on drill sites are extensively trained to deal with accidents that may occur and first responders are told not to come onto sites in Bradford County. He said there are those on-site able to handle incidents with high pressure compressors and other equipment on-site, rather than bringing in additional first responders from the area.
He also discussed the importance of knowing the details of leases and all that is involved with signing a lease involving natural gas drilling. When a question arose about insurance rates, Lovegreen explained that – upon signing a lease – the homeowner becomes a co-owner of the well with the company, and unless there is a “hold harmless” clause in the lease, the signer shares the liability of what happens on the property.
Other issues regarded roads and noise of trucks. Lovegreen explained there would be heavy truck traffic for a period of time, likely 300 trucks a day into a site. While this is necessary for site development, some were worried about the impact on the roads, who would repair them, and how the noise might be bothersome as the trucks would travel around the clock.
In Bradford County, each drill site is its own industrial business, Lovegreen explained. He added good planning and site control is necessary as there is a lot happening at each site.
Safety measures were discussed, including the methods of bringing the brine up from below, separating the parts and taking hazardous materials to a HAZMAT landfill.
Lovegreen added early in the process of natural gas development that it is very likely 100 percent of the workers would be from out of state. These workers will prepare the pads, build the roads and take care of other initial tasks. He said that now, in Bradford County, they are beginning to turn the corner where some workers are more local.
“I haven’t seen any documentation where water has been damaged by fracturing ... it’s drilling itself,” Lovegreen said with regard to water supply replacement. The operator is responsible for replacing the supply, and if there is a complaint the DEP has 45 days to make a determination. He added in Penn., the driller is guilty until proven innocent if there is any issue with water.
According to Lovegreen, leases bring an influx of needed local revenue, but the local knowledge of leasing might be limited. Unemployment rates would decrease and he said a “boom” may result economically. Natural gas development has led to road improvement within his area, but consequently there was a period of reconstruction inconvenience and heavy truck traffic. The cultural diversity of the area where a drilling site would be located is bound to increase, a plus he added. The industry impacts on the environment were slated in the “negatives” column, to which he also attested it is very early on in the process to know now what the impacts will be in 600 years because of natural gas development.
In Bradford County, local industry and labor competition resulted from natural gas development. Companies were forced to pay higher wages if they wanted to remain vital. Legal assistance increased, which he said was lacking in the area. Education on the subject increased in the area, offering opportunities to those just completing high school. The number of CDL licensures increased. Bankers and real estate companies also received more business.
Planning, infrastructure and the environmental impact are three of the important keys with regard to natural gas development, he said.
Lovegreen’s presentation offered both the positive and negative impacts of natural gas. His expertise is Bradford County, therefore he couldn’t speak on Chenango County specifics, yet area residents were receptive to the information he provided.
Gas drilling impact tours are provided for those interested in witnessing firsthand the impact of natural gas development in Bradford and Susquehanna counties in Penn. Tours are approximately six hours long, including travel time from Norwich and a meal break. Tours are led by local, knowledgeable guides. Current available dates include Aug. 29, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Oct. 13, Oct. 19, and Nov. 13.
For further information call 226-0314 or email friendsofchenangocounty@gmail.com.
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