DEP Issues Statement On Bradford County Methane Migration Investigation

May 24, 2012 | 4:06 PM

By Scott Detrow

The Department of Environmental Protection has sent StateImpact Pennsylvania a statement about its methane migration investigation in Leroy Township, Bradford County:

The Department of Environmental Protection and Chesapeake Energy are continuing to investigate the source or sources of methane gas that has been detected in the headspace of three private wells in Leroy Township, Bradford County. All three wells have been vented and the homes have had methane monitoring alarms installed by Chesapeake. A mobile water treatment unit has been installed at one residence, a temporary water supply tank has been provided at another residence and bottled water is being provided to two additional residences.

Chesapeake’s Morse well pad contains two wells and is about one-half mile from the impacted private wells.

On May 22, DEP Oil and Gas Program staff collected isotopic gas samples at both of these wells. Gas bubbling continues in a wetland and two small tributaries to Towanda Creek.

On May 23, DEP staff monitored the methane-impacted wells and checked the homes for the presence of methane gas. Chesapeake’s consultant continues to assess other private wells in close proximity to the Morse well pad and the methane-impacted private wells. The investigation is on-going.

Leroy Township, is, of course, the site of Chesapeake’s high-profile April 2011 blowout. The company was fined $250,000 for the incident.

Comments

RandomAction

Ban fracking. This is ludicrous chemical tresspass on innocent people and nature. A fine of 250,000 last year… for the same violation???? Are we nuts??? where is the incentive to be scared to death to damage the environment with this paltry fine mere pennies to the gas industry. Make the fine 10 million!!! Better yet, ban fracking here:
1. http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-natural-gas-development-in-the-susquehanna-river-basin
2. http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6125&track=hp-051811-actioncenter
3.http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/mothers-against-fracking/
- J F Melcher
  
  Until we hold politicians responsible and increase the fines to make it truly a fine and not just an inconvenience. These companies make billions in profits and we are left holding the bag.
- V Appalachia1
  
  Corporate frackers are happy to privatize huge profits but at the same time socialize enormous costs.
- Vera Scroggins
  
  Yes , BAN FRACKING– and deny drilling permits—
RandomAction

The poor people living in this town… twice now polluted by Chesapeake. How do you do laundry/take a shower/run the dishwasher with bottled water?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jane-Morrash-Tolomello/1652408300 Jane Morrash Tolomello

OHH..BUT I THOUGHT these things never happen..and that they never contaminate or pollute….!!! Oh..and How come they are not standing up .. and explaining what is going on..are they tooo busy trying to cover it up!!!????
Vera Scroggins

DEP does plenty of investigating- when will they take away the drilling permits for Chesapeake and others ?!
- http://twitter.com/johntrallo John Trallo
  
  According to Dan Spadoni… never.
YouDontKnowMeYetButYouWill

What is DEP’s role in regulating the oil and gas industry?
Answer: DEP enforces Pennsylvania’s oil and gas laws relating to resource management, well construction, drilling safety and waste management practices. Drilling companies must secure a bond before applying for a well permit. DEP approves bonds and well permits, inspects wells and environmental controls, and permits and inspects waste disposal facilities and waste management activities (http://www.bradfordcountypa.org/Natural-Gas.asp?specifTab=5)

hmm, then why are the issuing permits on protected land?
by environmental protection did they mean accelerating the decline of already threatened and endangered species?

Topics

Comments

About StateImpact

Economy

Education

Energy