Marcellus Shale - Gas Wells

October 28, 2010

PennDOT will discuss Marcellus Shale plans

Meeting on June 18 is for state legislators and 40 natural gas companies.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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DUNMORE – State legislators and more than 40 natural gas companies projected to drill in the Marcellus Shale region in Pennsylvania have been invited by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 4-0 to meet to discuss expectations, plans and guidelines.

It’s a meeting many feel is critical as the new industry continues to take hold in the region.

“We are doing this because the industry is new to us and we want to communicate expectations and procedures as well as understand what doing business with gas companies is all about,” said Karen Dussinger, PennDOT spokeswoman.

“Once we establish this database of contacts, share resources, etc., hopefully we can each address others’ concerns and issues more efficiently and effectively,” she said.

The meeting will be ) at 11 a.m. June 18 at PennDOT’s Lackawanna County Public Safety Building (911 Center) in Jessup. The meeting is being organized by District 4-0’s Maintenance Division, which is responsible for taking care of roads and will have the most contact with all parties involved.

State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said the meeting comes at an opportune time because she feels there are several critical issues that must be aired.

“Reports have been coming in that the truck traffic related to drilling has been heavier than anticipated, which raises concerns about damage to roads and the sufficiency of bonding requirements,” Baker said.

“What about the potential for vehicles overturning or hazardous material leaking? There have been questions asked by individuals and groups about emergency response plans, especially where drilling sites are close to neighborhoods or developments. This meeting should yield useful answers,” she said.

Dussinger said letters have been sent out to notify all stakeholders about the meeting.

Dussinger said PennDOT will present a Powerpoint presentation of area roadways.

“We will discuss roads as they currently are, what we expect with regard to companies maintaining the roadway; and specifications for that, using qualified contractors to ensure quality and uniformity.”

Dussinger said other topics will include the permitting process, and the procedure and schedule for posting and bonding all four-digit state roads in the area, starting with Susquehanna County and moving to Wyoming County, then Luzerne, Wayne and Lackawanna counties as the industry develops. She said procedures for following regulations and codes will be discussed, as will travel safety, vehicle maintenance and other issues, such as expectations for requesting winter plans for travel.

“PennDOT has been performing engineering studies of the roads, chronicling the current conditions with video and still photos, formulating maps of routes etc.,” Dussinger said.

State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, said that on May 6 she initiated a conference call with Adrian Meroli, Luzerne County planning and zoning director, and George Roberts of PennDOT, District 4.

“Mr. Meroli and I raised concerns about road damage, already dangerous conditions on Route 118, the impact over the long run for heavy Marcellus Shale truck traffic on Routes 309 and 415 and also the impact on local roads that the municipalities are responsible for,” Mundy said. “George Roberts told us that PennDOT in Harrisburg was discussing these issues and he hoped to have more information for us shortly. I am hopeful that this meeting is the result of those discussions and we will get some more information,” Mundy said.

State Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake, said she will be at the meeting.

“Marcellus Shale issues are the most important concern in our area and will have far-reaching implications,” Boback said.

“We have to be prepared for how drilling will impact the environment, housing, the economy and our transportation infrastructure. ”

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