State eyes new instance of methane near drilling

The Associated Press

MUNCY — State environmental officials are investigating another instance of methane contaminating water in northern Pennsylvania near a natural gas drilling operation.

The said Thursday that it found the flammable, explosive gas in seven water wells in Lycoming County and gas bubbling into the nearby Little Muncy Creek.

DEP spokesman Daniel Spadoni said the agency is trying to determine the source of the gas.

He said there’s no information that the methane is affecting the creek’s aquatic life or accumulating in homes.

The initial report of well bubbling came in mid-May.

That home is about a half-mile from a drilling site owned by ExxonMobil subsidiary XTO Energy of Fort Worth, Texas.

The company voluntarily halted drilling operations in the county and is cooperating with the DEP.