Events of interest to WV-SORO members

The following events this week may be of interest to WV-SORO members:

Public Meeting on Air Quality Permit for Proposed Water Treatment Facility in Doddridge Co.

The WV Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) will hold a public meeting this Thursday, November 5 from 6 PM to 8PM at the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department, Greenwood, WV to provide information on permitting action related to Antero Resources’ proposed water treatment facility.  The Sandstrom water treatment facility, which will accept and treat wastewater from Antero’s drilling operations, will be located south of US Route 50, at Greenwood in Doddridge County.  DAQ will accept comments public comments at the meeting. They will also accept written comments until 5 PM on Friday, November 20.  Questions and written comments should be directed to:

Jerry Williams, P.E.
WV DEP, Division of Air Quality
601 57th Street, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499 ext. 1223
FAX: (304) 926-0478
e-mail: jerry.williams@wv.gov

The draft permit and related documents are available at http://www.dep.wv.gov/daq/pages/nsrpermitsforreview.aspx.

Free Screening of Josh Fox Short Film “Gaswork” in Buckhannon on Thursday

On Thursday, November 5, at 7 PM, there will be a free showing of “Gaswork” at Lascaux MicroTheatre in Buckhannon, WV, located in Traders’ Alley behind Fat Tire Cycle on Main St. “Gaswork” is a new short film by Josh Fox, who wrote and directed the acclaimed fracking film “Gasland.” “Gaswork” describes dangerous working conditions in the oil and gas field. Numerous injuries and deaths result from poor safety practices on rigs all over the country. The oil and gas field has a higher death rate than all other industries.

“Gaswork” opens with the story of CJ Bevins, a Buckhannon native who died on an unsafe rig in New York, then goes on to investigate worker safety and chemical risk in the industry. Many workers who were interviewed have been asked to engage in unsafe practices, such as cleaning drill sites, transporting radioactive and carcinogenic chemicals, and steam cleaning the inside of condensate tanks which contain harmful chemicals, often without safety equipment.

A member of the Bevins family and a former gas worker will be present to speak about their experiences and answer questions after the showing.

Citizen Hearings on Fracking Air Pollution & New EPA Rules, Nov. 7 & Nov. 9. 

Oil and gas drilling has spread quickly across Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Many communities are living with wells, compressor stations, processing plants, and pipelines nearby—or soon could be. More than ever, people are asking whether this development affects air quality and their health.

Research and experience show that the answer is yes. Because operations release methane and toxic air pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new standards to cut air emissions from the oil and gas industry. Learn more about these proposed rules and get answers to questions such as:

• What are the links between oil and gas facilities, pollution, and health?
• What pollutants come out of compressor stations and processing plants?
• How are air emissions measured, monitored, and reported?
• How will the new EPA rules help reduce pollution and protect my health?

The EPA is accepting comments from the public on its new emissions rules until November 17. At these public meetings, Earthworks and the Ohio Environmental Council will accept written statements and provide attendees with the opportunity to record verbal comments to be submitted to the EPA. They need to hear about your experiences and concerns! Please come, learn, and speak out!

Saturday, November 7, 10 am-noon
First United Methodist Church 123 West Church Street, Barnesville, OH 43713

Monday, November 9, 6:30-8:30 pm
Church of Christ—Christian Disciples 353 Moody Avenue, Carrollton, OH 44615

Speakers: Melanie Houston, Director of Water Policy & Environmental Health, Ohio Environmental Council; Nadia Steinzor, Eastern Program Coordinator, Earthworks; and representatives from Carroll Concerned Citizens and Concerned Barnesville Area Residents.

Have questions? Email OHMethane@gmail.com
Want more info? http://bit.ly/1RmE1Mo and http://bit.ly/1M61wFo
Can’t make it? Take action! http://theoec.org/campaign/epa-methane-rule