I concur. I believe that the air issues with Marcellus gas will end up being more important than the water issues that are now getting the bulk of the attention.
Jim Kotcon
Duane330@aol.com 2/22/2011 12:45 PM >>>
To: MVCAC
Bill Hughes of the Wetzel County Action Group is appealing the granting of permits to two natural gas compressor stations in Wetzel County to the WV Air Quality Board. The issue is whether the WV Division of Air Quality should take responsibility to monitor and regulate such facilities, beyond just granting of permits.
Bill Hughes spoke at the January and February meetings of the WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact on this topic and the more general aspects of air impacts from Marcellus shale drilling and development. See: _http://www.uppermon.org/Mon_Watershed_Group/Hughes-WCAG-5Jan11.pdf_ (http://www.uppermon.org/Mon_Watershed_Group/Hughes-WCAG-5Jan11.pdf)
Monongalia County is directly downwind of Wetzel County and so we are at increased risk of air pollution effects here because of air pollution in Wetzel and the other counties adjacent to us. The primary impacts would be from ozone and fine particulates resulting from the volatile organic compounds and partial combustion by-products coming from flares, from vents, from leakage, etc.
I have submitted my request as an individual to join Bill Hughes in this appeal.
The Steering Committee of the MVCAC proposes that the Mon Valley Clean Air Coalition request to be listed as a participant in this appeal, with Bill Hughes and myself. The legal team is headed by Joe Osborne (Attorney) with the Group Against Smog and Pollution. Please consult the web-site _www.gasp-pgh.org_ (http://www.gasp-pgh.org) if you wish to read more about the compressor stations, or about GASP. There are no costs proposed for MVCAC; and, we are simply appealing the questions of (1) whether the WV Division of Air Quality has the authority and responsibility to monitor and regulate such compressor stations, and (2) whether two or more compressor stations can be or should be aggregated for purposes of permitting such facilities.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW A.S.A.P. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, IF YOU APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE OF M.V.C.A.C. JOINING THIS APPEAL.