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May 12, 2011
‘Fracking Facts’ Seminars Offered ~ May 12 & 26 and June 4 in Wheeling
The Ohio County Public Library will the first in a series of "Fracking Facts" educational meetings TONIGHT (Thursday, April 12) at its 52 16th Street location in Wheeling. (Apologies for the short/late notice.) The meeting will begin at 7PM. Members of the Wetzel County Action Group (WCAG) will share their four years of experience with gas extraction in their neighborhoods, and how those activities have impacted their communities. This first presentation titled, "The Process," will focus on site preparation, drilling, fracking, compressor stations, traffic issues and completion.
WCAG will give a second presentation at the library at 7PM on Thursday, May 26 titled, "Challenges and Suggestions." This program will focus on the economic, social, and environmental issues raised by activities related to gas drilling.
During its third installment, the library will welcome Dee Fulton and Duane Nichols of FrackCheckWV who will discuss their organization's activities and goals at a 2PM meeting on Saturday, June 4.
Additional programs in the series will be announced as they are scheduled. The series is free and open to the public. Click here or call (304) 232-0244 for more information.
Hearing in Wetzel County Landowners' Appeal of Air Quality Permits ~ May 19-20 in Charleston
Last fall, members of the Wetzel County Action Group filed an appeal before the West Virginia Air Quality Board challenging two permits that would allow Chesapeake Energy to add two natural gas compressor stations as its large—and growing—Marcellus Shale operation in West Virginia’s northern panhandle.
The West Virginia Air Quality Board, will hear the groups appeal starting at 8:30AM May 19 & 20 at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Hearing Room 1041, 601 57th Street, S.E., Charleston.
The compressors themselves produce significant quantities of air pollution, and the many drilling sites, storage tanks, gas processing activities, and equipment emissions produce air pollution as well. The appeal challenges the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to treat each of these air pollution-emitting activities as separate sources for permitting purposes. The Clean Air Act establishes tougher air pollution control requirements for major sources of air pollution. WVDEP has permitted these compressor stations under less-protective minor source permits, and Chesapeake’s other emissions sources avoid permitting requirements entirely.
When asked to comment on the importance of this appeal, Ed Wade, Jr. of WCAG stated, “there have been many complaints about noxious gas releases over the past few years by residents who have wells on all sides of their homes. Regulating emissions at just the new compressor stations will not eliminate those problems.”
If you have concerns about the impact of Marcellus Shale drilling on our state's air quality, we encourage you to attend to show your support.
Click here for more information and background on the appeal.
Doddridge County Watershed Association Educational Meeting on Surface Owners' Rights ~ May 19 in West Union
The Doddridge County Watershed Association is hosting a presentation by Julie Archer of the West Virginia Surface Owners’ Rights Organization. Julie will discuss the rights of land owners when gas drilling or pipelines are planned, what you should look out for, and what you can do if you have problems, followed by a question and answer session. The presentation will be Thursday, May 19th, at 6 p.m. at the Doddridge County Senior Center, 403 West Main Street in West Union.
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