Gas Drilling ban Referendum (Pittsburgh, McKeesport: mineral rights, leases, disposal)

[UKyank]

Council OKs putting drilling ban on ballot

Whether you are for or against natural gas drilling the wording of this proposed referendum is way to vague for my liking as all too often vagueness usually leads to unwanted twisting of the words down the line no matter how noble the intent is be when initially proposed. If you want to propose a referendum to ban gas drilling in the city then just say it.

[Bong477]

Is there much demand for gas drilling inside the city???

[gg]

Originally Posted by Bong477

Is there much demand for gas drilling inside the city???

I hope not.

[eDOT]

I highly doubt any drilling will be inside the city limits of Pittsburgh or any of the populated suburbs either. Aside from a few spots in Houston Texas and other BIG oil citys, most of the drilling and well completion will be done in more rural area surrounding pittsburgh. Most "pads" (area for drilling) are a couple acres each, thats hard to find in most urban areas. I am moving to Pittsburgh in 2weeks to work in Oil/Gas and know right now that most of the work our company is receiving is near Morgantown WV. So dont worry people, I highly doubt youll see any pump jacks in or near the city limits....

[Geeo]

This is a silly referndum. A company needs acres and acres of land for a gas well, with room for the pond that holds the water. There is no room in the city or most of its Allegheny County suburbs for gas wells, the energy companies aren't interested, and there are no plans for any and never will be.

This is a knee-jerk reaction of politicians to say, "Look! I protected you from Marcellus Shale!"

And the legislation would not hold up in court.

[eDOT]

Originally Posted by Geeo

This is a silly referndum. A company needs acres and acres of land for a gas well, with room for the pond that holds the water. There is no room in the city or most of its Allegheny County suburbs for gas wells, the energy companies aren't interested, and there are no plans for any and never will be.

This is a knee-jerk reaction of politicians to say, "Look! I protected you from Marcellus Shale!"

And the legislation would not hold up in court.

Agreed...

[hempfield mania]

Hate to disagree but many of the Greenways in PGH have the land required to allow well drilling as well as the parks within the city. If the city doesn't currently own the mineral rights, those areas can be drilled according to state law. Though geographically much of that acreage isn't conducive to drilling, there are several areas that would be accessible.

Still not saying the ordinance isn't silly because it is. It will never hold up in court and is just "feel good" rhetoric from city council members. City residents, if affected by drilling, will be affected if any pollution makes it into the rivers in large enough quantities affect their drinking water.

[irishvan]

Chesapeake energy purchased 70 or more leases in Lawrenceville.. The company said it is not IDEAL to drive fracking equipment up and down Butler St... but they definately dont NEED acres and acres and acres in rural PA. If allowed the city limits will do just fine.

[whumps]

Our water is already being affected. If u have a compramised immune system or have had an organ transplant there is already an advisory against drinking the city of pittsburgh water. Natural gas companies are exempt from the Clean Water Act. They can dispose of waste water wherever they please (and do). A civil suit has been filed against Mckeesport sewage treatment plant for improper disposal, and thats one of many treatment plants that accepts waste water. Pittsburgh's water is already screwed.

[hempfield mania]

Originally Posted by whumps

Our water is already being affected. If u have a compramised immune system or have had an organ transplant there is already an advisory against drinking the city of pittsburgh water. Natural gas companies are exempt from the Clean Water Act. They can dispose of waste water wherever they please (and do). A civil suit has been filed against Mckeesport sewage treatment plant for improper disposal, and thats one of many treatment plants that accepts waste water. Pittsburgh's water is already screwed.

Where have you been?

Most water treatment facilities have stopped taking frack water now and did so voluntarily. Not sure about the McKeesport facility.

Please post a link to the warning about drinking PGH water and not a link from some "green group."

The majority of fracking wastewater these days is being recycled or being shipped out of state and injected into deep wells for storage (Ohio). Not saying that I agree with what is happening but the big names in the game are trying to do things right.

IMO, it is the smaller players you need to watch out for. They are on thin margains trying to compete with the big boys and some can and do take shortcuts, like hiring that guy from Westmoreland/Fayette to dispose of frack water and he was just dumping it in local streams. Luckily, he was caught.