Potter CountyNatural Gas Task Force, Meeting Notes July 14, 2009

Task Force members were invited attend the Progress Through Communications Farm Tour and Picnic.

Ron Doughtie (Forestry Bureau) briefly discussed gas production on state land. He’ll have more information next month. Paul Heimel pointed out that increased leasing of state land is among income sources being debated in state budget deliberations.

Guest speaker Mike Welch (asst. regional director, Pa. Dept. of Environmental Resources/Williamsport) described DEP’s role in oversight and inspection of gas and oil operations, including storage and disposal of hydrofracturing liquids.He encouraged the public to report possible violations for investigation.Reputable companies are following the rules, Welch said, but attractive profits could also attract slipshod operators.

Welch acknowledged that violations – most of them relatively minor and technical in nature -- have been found in nearly 30 percent of the 1,000 wells DEP has inspected, but there were only two instances that resulted in significant environmental consequences. He agreed that some drillers in 2008 were not conscientious when it came to withdrawals of large volumes of water for hydrofracturing. Regulators are now better-equipped to oversee operations and impose sanctions.

Water issues will remain a major concern, Welch said, and citizens can help DEP by being on the lookout for faulty impoundments developed for hydrofracturing; inadequate ponds for “flow-back water” generated from the hydrofracturing (state law requires that they be lined to prevent infiltration of chemicals, salt and other compounds); and inadequate materials management or security arrangements at well sites.

Two industry spokesmen, Bruce Sampson (Pennsylvania General Energy Inc.) and Greg West (Gas Field Specialists Inc.), reaffirmed their companies’ commitment to meeting regulatory requirements. West said some members of the public have a distorted view of the industry due to media emphasis on violators and a general lack of knowledge.

Task Force members expressed concern about a lack of information on the specific location of gas wells across the county. County and township officials, as well as emergency management personnel, have a particular interest in knowing specific locations. They suggested that DEP develop a notification system for counties and townships as part of its permitting process.

Employment/training opportunities were discussed. Pa. College of Technology in Williamsport recently opened a Marcellus Shale Education and TrainingCenter. University of Pittsburgh at Bradford reopened its two-year petroleum technology program. There are also discussions underway among Potter County Education Council, public and private organizations over training opportunities for welding and other skills related to the natural gas industry. Greg West said his firm has been hiring, but is having a difficult time finding local residents who have the necessary skills and training.

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Gas Task Force July 2009

Task Force members were encouraged to volunteer for one or more of the following committees to be named soon:

--Water Quality/Supply/Treatment;

--Employment Training/Economic Development;

--Public Education/Information;

--Taxation;

--Public Safety/Emergency Management/Law Enforcement;

--Township/Borough and Infrastructure Issues;

--Planning/Zoning;

--Industry Technical Issues.

Attending were: Pete Ryan, Charlotte Dietrich, Judy Bear, Eric Beaver, Curt Weinhold, Doug Morley, Paul Heimel, Susan Kefover, David Saulter, John McLaughlin, Dick Ford, Jim Clark, Joe Parr, Greg West, Bruce Sampson, Jim Hough, Todd Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Watson, Art Metzger, George Silconas, Gary Gunzburger, Tom Jacoby, Carl Roberts, Larry Hirst, Kim Hoak, Joe Gerhart, Clarence Confer, Neal Goodenough.