November 11, 2014

Educational/Community Meeting on Oil & Gas Drilling, TONIGHT at Jackson's Mill

Just a quick reminder about tonight's meeting. Please see the following press release from meeting organizers for speaker information and other details.

Area Group Calls Forum on Fracking and Pipeline Issues
November 11, 2014, 6-8 p.m., Jackson's Mill Assembly Hall

A multi-county citizen group from the North Central West Virginia area has formed to educate area residents about the challenges associated with hydraulic fracturing and pipeline issues. Landowners and other concerned citizens from Lewis, Upshur, Gilmer, Doddridge, Harrison and Wetzel counties and beyond are expected to attend.

The meeting will feature a panel of expert speakers and individuals whose quality of life and health have been directly affected. Several WV organizations will be represented, including WV Surface Owners' Rights Organization (WV-SORO), Wetzel County Solid Waste Authority, the WV Host Farms Program, and Doddridge County Watershed Association.

There will be multiple opportunities to ask questions during and after the meeting.

Barbara Volk, a Lewis County landowner and co-organizer of the event explained, “It is important for citizens to know the many challenges associated with the entire process. A couple of months ago, Consol Energy held a forum at Jackson’s Mill, but did not conduct the meeting in a way that allowed for an exchange of information and views. People in attendance felt as if their voices were not being heard. So, we are holding a more democratic forum with expert presenters so that residents can learn about the issues associated with these activities.”

The main presenter will be Bill Hughes of Wetzel County. Hughes is a 36-year resident of Wetzel County. He is a retired electrical contractor who owns 79 acres near New Martinsville, and has worked for Dominion and Consolidated Aluminum.  He has been a member of the board for the Wetzel County Solid Waste Authority for the last 13 years, and been the chairman of that body for the last four.

The presentation by Hughes will focus on the production stages of hydraulic fracturing, including topics of production, waste, contamination, pipelines, and many others.

Jody Mohr, a resident of Salem, WV, will present on water contamination and lifestyle change living near a fracking site. Julie Archer of WV-SORO, will be presenting on landowners' rights, eminent domain, and leasing information. Diane Pitcock will also discuss the WV Host Farms Program, what it does, and the many benefits for its members.

Attendance is free and open to the public.

Pipeline Update and Meeting Schedule

At the end of October, both EQT and Dominion entered the "pre-filing" process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This means that both of the proposed pipelines, Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, have been assigned preliminary docket numbers.  The links below are how you can follow each proposed pipeline through the FERC process.

Mountain Valley Pipeline (Preliminary Docket Number PF15-3)
Atlantic Coast Pipeline (Preliminary Docket Number PF15-6-000)

The Greenbrier River Watershed Association is hosting a series of public meetings to provide updates on the proposed pipelines.  Lawyers will be present at several of the meetings to discuss landowner rights and answer questions.  See details below.  For more information or to schedule a meeting in your community, please contact Elise Keaton at 304-647-4792 or email elise@greenbrier.org. 
Upcoming Community Meetings

Wednesday, Nov. 12  (1 pm) Monroe County Courthouse, Union WV
Monroe County Commissioners will meet with EQT (the company proposing the Mountain Valley Pipeline) and hopefully many citizens. This is our chance to hear "plans" from the gas company  whose landsmen have already been threatening landowners in our communities.

Monday, Nov. 17 (6 pm) Alderson Community Center, Alderson, WV
(Old Alderson High School Building on Chestnut St. in Alderson)
Greenbrier River Watershed Association Education and Outreach Coordinator, Elise Keaton, will present up to date information about the proposed pipeline.  Lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates will discuss landowner rights and answer questions from concerned community members.

Tuesday, Nov. 18 (6 pm) Lindside United Methodist Church, Lindside, WV
Greenbrier River Watershed Association Education and Outreach Coordinator, Elise Keaton, will present up to date information about the proposed pipeline.  Lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates will discuss landowner rights and answer questions from concerned community members.

Thursday, Nov. 20 (6 pm) Doddridge County Senior Center, West Union, WV