Drilling underway at Pittsburgh International Airport

Katie Colaneri

Recent Stories

Katie Colaneri is a reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania and WHYY in Philadelphia covering energy and the environment. Before joining StateImpact, Katie worked as an investigative and enterprise reporter at WBGO in Newark, New Jersey. She covered some of New Jersey's biggest stories including the devastation and aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, as well as the day-to-day triumphs and struggles to revitalize state's largest city. A native of New Jersey with roots in South Central Pennsylvania, Katie holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College.

August 25, 2014 | 12:41 PM

A major plan to drill for natural gas under Pittsburgh International Airport is underway.
Politicians, including Gov. Tom Corbett, and officials from Consol Energy kicked off the project in a ceremony at the airport today.
More from the Associated Press:

The Monday morning ceremony featured remarks by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, Democratic County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Republican Congressman Tim Murphy, and local leaders.
Fitzgerald says the vast majority of people he talks to support the Consol Energy project, which could ultimately bring more than $500 million in royalties to the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Consol, which is based in nearby Cecil, plans to drill 47 wells from six pads over the next few years. The wells will tap into the gas-rich Marcellus Shale about 7,000 feet underground.
Consol says drilling began about 10 days ago.
The Federal Aviation Administration reviewed the project and approved the plan, along with state and local authorities.

Consol plans to drill 47 wells on more than 9,000 acres of land owned by the county.