Sunday, May 19, 2013

"... the gas well operator is PRESUMED TO BE RESPONSIBLE..."

I found something very interesting while reading the Determination Letters which were uncovered by Vera Scroggins and published by Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, i.e., the phrase:

"Because drilling activities occurred at a gas well within 1,000 ft of your water supply... under section 208(c) of the Oil and Gas Act 58 P.S. §601.208(c), THE GAS WELL OPERATOR IS PRESUMED TO BE RESPONSIBLE for the degradation of your water supply". 


Thinking about the Mannings in Franklin Forks @ 4,000' away...


If you need to see this image extra large to read the detail, click here:

What is very interesting also is to note how the wording of the final determination letter was CHANGED by Colleen Connolly in her cover letter.

Determination letter: ``At this time, the Department’s investigation does not indicate that gas well drilling has impacted your water supply.`` (Jennifer W. Means, PA DEP Environmental Program Manager)

Cover letter: ``After a 16-month investigation, the Department of Environmental Protection has determined that high levels of methane found in three private water wells in Franklin Township, Susquehanna County, cannot be attributed to natural gas drilling activity in that geographical area.`` (PA DEP Colleen Connolly, Public Relations, emph. added)


3 comments:

Vera said...

yes, "at this time" gas drilling has not impacted your water supply concerning the Mannings !? So, it may be the case in the future; DEP is leaving this open....

Bill Huston 1 said...

Yes. And check this Vera-- What's interesting to me is how our friend Colleen Connolly CHANGED THE WORDING to say this:


QUOTE:After a 16-month investigation, the Department of Environmental Protection has determined that
high levels of methane found in three private water wells in Franklin Township, Susquehanna
County, cannot be attributed to natural gas drilling activity in that geographical area.
DEP’s
extensive investigation started in December 2011and included evaluation of the nearest natural
gas wells, isotopic testing and analysis of historical water data to determine the origin of the
methane. ENDQUOTE

Buzz-o-rang said...

Just discovered your blog after reading some anti-frack-freaks comments in the Wall Street Journal (Halliburton is subject of antitrust probe in fracking industry). Thank you for your effort to keep the facts straight.