CLEARFIELD – A proposed disposal injection well brought residents out to the Clearfield County Commissioners meeting to voice their concerns.
Marianne Atkinson and her husband Richard were among those who spoke. Marianne stated that she lives in the neighborhood where the injection well is being proposed in Brady Township off of Highland Street Extension.
The Atkinsons and others have been attending public meetings to inform and learn about the process involved. A video of a meeting held on Sept. 26 can be found here.
She said the Class 2 well would be used for the disposal of liquid waste, most notably brine water associated with fracking. The well would be drilled to a depth of 7,300 feet. She stated that there are already two injection wells in Clearfield County.Â
She stated that one of their concerns is that the well is located near headwaters of the LaBorde Branch. Another concern is the number of large water wells that serve the area, not to mention the outlying areas.
Marianne stated that the lease between Windfall Oil and Gas and the property owner would allow for the placement of compressors, tanks, pipelins and electrical lines. According to a right-of-way agreement, the company would the hours of operation would be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, though the hours of operation could be subject to change. Marianne stated that to their knowledge, Windfall Oil and Gas had not applied to the EPA yet for their permit.
Commissioners Joan Robinson-McMillen stated she was informed the process could take up to two years; Marianne said it was her understanding it could take up to six months.
“We desperately need to find out when it’s (the permit) applied for so we can request a public hearing.”
According to information provided by Marianne, a disposal injection well needs to obtain 2 different permits; 1 from the DEP and 1 from the EPA. The EPA regulates the injection part ot the well. (Therefore, the DEP is not involved in the injection permit.)
This is from the DEP website: Two permits are needed for an injection well: a well permit from DEP and an Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit from the EPA , (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Information on obtaining these two permits is contained in Chapter VIII of the “Oil and Gas Wastewater Permitting Manual” and in Section 78.18 of the rules and regulations. (http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/OILGAS/FS2550.htm )
McMillen, and others present, pointed out that due to the state’s geology, injection wells are not a good fit.
Also speaking was Marianne’s husband, Richard. He stated there is always a chance something could go wrong. He stated that they were told they would need to get their water tested. He stated a water test would cost in the neighborhood of $500.
“We would have to test regularly,” said Richard. He stated that over time, it would cost them thousands to get their water tested.
Resident Randy Baird stated he had concerns over how it would affect property values. He also questioned how someone could do something on their property that could devalue their neighbor’s property values. He also questioned the safety of such a thing.
“If gas can find its way to the surface and escape, so can this water.”