fyi, paul
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public News Service wvns@newsservice.org Date: Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 8:10 AM Subject: WVNS story: Deep Public Concern About Marcellus Drilling In WV To: PaulWilson pjgrunt@gmail.com
Public News Service-WV
February 18, 2011
Deep Public Concern About Marcellus Drilling In WV CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Legislators got an earful Thursday from people worried about the impact of the fast-growing practics of extracting natural gas from West Virginia's Marcellus shale.
More members of the public wanted to speak on proposed Marcellus drilling regulations than time allowed during the open hearing. Most, such as Wetzel County farmer Marty Whiteman, say they are concerned about water pollution and damage to roads and land. Whiteman says drilling cost him a big portion of his hay production.
"When they come in, they told us we would not be affected at all, that this would be a minor inconvenience. And it's been devastation."
One key issue is "pooling," designed to deal with the way gas moves under property lines by allowing production that crosses the boundaries and dividing profits among neighbors. Some of the smaller gas companies oppose pooling, and landowners are divided. Many large drillers argue that it would limit damage to the land and water, while being fair to mineral-rights owners. Scott Rotruck, vice president of Chesapeake Energy, takes that position.
"We need pooling. Pooling will help us limit the environmental impact of shale development, and it will help protect people's property rights. It's good environmentally and it's good economically. Everybody will get paid for their property."
Not yet included in the legislation is regulation of possible air pollution resulting from the drilling and processing of natural gas. Elizabeth Mow of Buckhannon, who describes herself as a concerned citizen, wants the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to tackle that issue.
"I'm particularly concerned about the protection of air quality, the release of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. If the DEP does not have the authority to regulate this, it should be given the authority."
New figures from the *West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy* suggest the counties with the most gas production are the ones that need economic development the most. Some speakers were worried that over-regulation could stall one of the state's fastest-growing industries, but some companies within the industry support the rules now being drafted, including increased fees to pay for new well inspectors.
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