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Cecil residents Jill Capra, left, Chris O’Conor and Krystle Burt listen as the township board approves a controversial compressor station for Marcellus shale gas drilling.
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Cecil approves shale gas compressor despite residents' concerns

John Heller/Post-Gazette

Cecil approves shale gas compressor despite residents' concerns

After a protracted legal battle, the Cecil zoning hearing board Monday night voted unanimously to approve the construction of a Marcellus shale natural gas compressor station.

But, in an effort to appease both sides on the thorny issue, the board approved a raft of conditions designed to protect the health and welfare of residents.

“We can’t be divided by this issue,” said resident Chris O’Connor, one of several dozen who turned out for Monday’s meeting. “The next generation will have to live with the consequences of these actions.”

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The three-member zoning board said it was left with little choice, after exhausting its legal appeals and trying to prevent MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources from moving forward with plans to build a compressor station along Route 980 near its intersection with Route 50.

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The zoning board was set to approve the project last month, but the Denver-based company offered to delay a decision by the board for 30 days while the list of conditions was ironed out between the parties. The board was under a court order to approve the project by May 30.

The township had been fighting the request since November 2010, when MarkWest originally sought permission to build the station, characterizing it as an “essential service” to the township.

Board members disagreed and rejected the application, sending the matter through the courts, where it remained until April 15, when the Commonwealth Court refused to hear an appeal from the township and ruled in favor of the company. They gave Cecil officials 45 days to grant approval.

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The board attached 24 conditions that were agreed upon by both parties, but after hearing additional testimony from residents Monday, members added two more conditions that were unanimously approved as well.

They included a requirement that the company use as many as five electric-powered engines, rather than those powered by natural gas. If that isn’t possible, the company is required to submit proof to the zoning hearing board for an exception.

Use of electric motors was a top concern of residents, who cited a MarkWest compressor station built in nearby Robinson with electric power. Residents cited studies showing that there are fewer toxic emissions with electric engines than with gas.

The company had been resisting that suggestion, saying that Duquesne Light Energy told it four years ago -- and again two weeks ago -- that running electric lines to the site would be difficult because of capacity and infrastructure issues.

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Company lawyer Christopher Rimkus said it was told that it would be at least two years before electric transmission lines could reach the site.

“And we only have 12 months to begin construction, according to the permit,” he said.

The board also won audience applause for a requirement that the company hire an independent third party to test and monitor air and water quality around the site.

Mr. Rimkus said the additional conditions weren’t negotiated by the parties.

“I think they could be problematic,” he said of the additional requirements. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

Among the other conditions are provisions for noise-dampening efforts, a minimum 750-foot setback from neighboring properties, and vapor recovery units and controls to limit the exhaust released into the air from flares.

Compressor stations remove fluid and debris from natural gas and increase the rate of flow through the pipeline. The material is then burned off through a flare, producing volatile organic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde -- both known carcinogens.

Neighbors, including one whose child has asthma, expressed concern about air and water pollution and about the release of toxic material from the site.

Their lawyer, Jon Kamin, gave the board a binder full of documents last month, including two dozen suggested conditions that could be placed on the project, such as third-party testing of water and air quality before and after the compressor station is installed.

Many of the suggestions were adopted by the board, but Mr. Kamin reiterated their concerns about those that weren’t in the first draft, including requiring the use of electric engines instead of gas.

“We believe that is within the provenance of this board,” he said of township regulations governing compressor stations and pollution. “We think that will significantly reduce health risks.”

Mr. Rimkus said he would have to review the additional conditions before deciding whether to appeal the decision.

“The residents don’t like this,” he said of the project. “We’re still reviewing our options. This is the only industrially zoned piece of land in the township. If we could find somewhere else to put it, we would.”

Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1159.

First Published: June 16, 2015, 4:00 a.m.

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Cecil residents Jill Capra, left, Chris O’Conor and Krystle Burt listen as the township board approves a controversial compressor station for Marcellus shale gas drilling.  (John Heller/Post-Gazette)
Cecil board member, Anthony Menosky, listens to residents voice opposition to the compressor station.  (John Heller/Post-Gazette)
Attorney Jon Kamin address the Cecil Township board on behalf of a number of Cecil residents he represents.  (John Heller/Post-Gazette)
John Heller/Post-Gazette
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