Marcellus Shale - Gas Wells

October 28, 2010

2 meetings to be held on shale

One forum to be held Aug. 11 in Dallas, and another meeting set for Aug. 18 in Hazle Twp.

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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Two meetings are planned for August to keep area residents, public officials and emergency responders informed about issues associated with natural gas drilling and pipeline infrastructure in the area.

One is being hosted by a community group concerned about the negative effects gas drilling activities can have in a community. The other is being hosted by 30 local pipeline and gas distribution companies.

The Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition will host an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 at the Dallas United Methodist Church on Lake Street in Dallas for all interested residents of Dallas and other communities. It will include a presentation by coalition founder Dr. Thomas Jiunta and a question-and-answer session.

Informational materials will be available. The event is free and open to the public.

“We organized this meeting at the behest of the Dallas Township supervisors, who indicated that they needed more information about gas pipeline and gas drilling in their community,” Jiunta said in a press release.

Chief Oil& Gas Co. wants to lay a natural gas line through a township-owned recreation field.

The coalition includes Luzerne County residents concerned about the problems coalition members say horizontal well drilling and the hydraulic fracturing process – commonly called fracking – will bring to the area.

“The goal of GDAC is to protect our communities and environment from exploitative gas drilling,” the release states.

A series of informational programs for emergency responders and public officials sponsored by 30 local pipeline and gas distribution companies is planned for venues throughout the state between Aug. 9 and Sept. 22. Locally, a program is planned for Aug. 18 at Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites, Hazle Township.

Dubbed a “damage prevention/emergency response program,” presenters will provide information about infrastructure.

“It is important for the public to know that pipeline/utility operations exist in your area. … This is part of an ongoing national effort to increase the knowledge and understanding of safe digging and damage prevention for underground utilities as well as aid in the coordination of public agencies along with the companies in your area,” an announcement states. Reservations are required by calling (877) 477-1162.

For more information about the Dallas meeting, log on to www.gdacoalition.org.

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