An acquaintance of the writer of this blog attempted to contact the DEP water quality people in Wilkes-Barre a couple of days ago. 570-826-2553. No one was home. Further, the voice mailbox was full. This was during the middle of a business day. The same occured today. What’s going on here? At that point, the person researched the internet and found http://www.dep.state.pa.us Scrolling through, a name and number was obtained: Director of the Bureau of Oil and Gas Management - Hogeman, Dave 717-772-2199.
The number was called and there was a subsequent converstation with a staff member who assured the contact that someone would be calling back shortly. The return call was from a person who suggested that the appropriate person to speak with was out of the office until the beginning of the week and that if the person attended one of the seminars being held in this part of the state could be helpful. The contact indicated that the call was regarding the potential of pollution of a public water supply. At that point, the person said someone else would have to call back.
The return call was from a Mr. English. After trying to tell the contact that there was nothing to worry about, the suggestion was to obtain the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) from the driller, Southerwestern Energy and inform them that they are drilling near a public water supply. The process to get that information is in process. The acquaintance is more than up for that challenge. Why is the acquaintance so determined to get the information? Maybe it’s because there is an investment property which is at risk due to the drilling and fracing process of a nearby gas well which was just drilled in Lenox Township. Maybe it’s because jobs and the public health are at stake.
Your thoughts?
Please keep it up. Thank you.