Murrysville residents pack Marcellus Shale meeting
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Murrysville residents made their voices heard regarding pending deep-well natural gas drilling into the Marcellus Shale during the planning commission's public hearing.
Residents packed council chambers Tuesday evening to address the commission about a recently drafted ordinance meant to protect community interests when drilling into the gas-rich Marcellus Shale. Most speakers were supportive of the ordinance but expressed concern that gas companies would leave behind damaged properties, compromised water supplies and a polluted environment once drilling commences.
"I am very concerned," Carol Gaviglia said. "I am worried for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. This is something that will affect us for a long, long time."
Ms. Gaviglia said she is demanding that gas companies make public the materials that are used during the fracking process to extract gas from the shale rock deep below the Earth's surface.
"A lot of these chemicals are used in the making of methamphetamines," she added. "I want to know how close to the water supply they can come; who will pay for repairing the damaged water wells and who will pay for the roads that will be damaged."
Planning Commission chairman Robert Mitall said most of the answers Ms. Gaviglia was seeking are within the ordinance, which is available on the municipality's website, www.murrysville.com.
Resident Joseph Evans wanted to know how the municipality would enforce issues regarding potentially sickening odors that could come from drilling sites.
"I would like to know who determines what noxious fumes are," he said.
Murrysville fire Chief Al Dover said he wanted to have multiple training sessions with gas companies.
"We would be the first responders should something happen," he said. "From day one to when they first move the dirt to when operations are up and running, we will need to work with them."
Susan Oliver — a spokesperson with Williams, a natural gas drilling company with local offices in Moon, Canonsburg and Connellsville — said her organization will work with the community to ensure a safe drilling environment.
"We are proud of our reputation for safe and reasonable development of natural gas mining," she said. "We are more than willing to work with emergency responders in developing training sessions. We would like to help out in any way we can."
Ms. Oliver added her company has worked with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission in reclaiming lands that were previously used for deep-well drilling.
The planning commission is expected to make revisions to the current draft ordinance. They will make a recommendation on ordinance during a Nov. 16 meeting.
Following the planning commission's vote, Murrysville municipal council must next make their recommendations before the ordinance takes affect.
First Published October 20, 2010 12:00 am
