HUSTON TOWNSHIP – The Pennsylvania State Police responded to people protesting a Marcellus Shale well drilling site.
According to the state police in Clearfield, members from PSP DuBois, Clearfield, Ridgway and Punxsutawney responded to the site at Colby and Gordon Roads. Police said about 75 people were on site protesting. Colby and Gordon Roads were blocked by downed trees that were placed across numerous locations, which prevented travel to and from the well site.
A bulldozer was brought in to remove the trees. Police said the majority of the protesters dispersed, through three were named in the report. All three named were out of state; one from Vermont, one from Indiana and one from Oregon.
According to Gant news partner WJACTV.com, EQT Corp. spokeswoman Natalie Cox says the company shut down the rig in Moshannon State Forest at midday Sunday. She says the Pittsburgh-based company’s primary concern is the safety of its employees and contractors.
Cox says police are at the site trying to maintain order.
Gloria Forouzan of Marcellus Protest says 150 protesters blocked an access road for trucks headed to the EQT rig.