DUBOIS – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held a public hearing last night on Windfall Oil & Gas Inc.’s application to drill an injection disposal well on the property of Frank and Susan Zelman (Zelman No. 1) near Highland Street Extension in Brady Township. The hearing was held in the Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois.
Eric Gustafson, one of the three representatives from DEP’s Pittsburgh office, noted that the hearing isn’t required in the comment process. However, the DEP wanted to give the community an opportunity to present testimony and to encourage community engagement.
The DEP presented some information papers regarding the proposed injection disposal well prior to the hearing.
On July 28, 2015, the Frank and Susan Zelman No. 1 Class II-D Underground Injection Control permit was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
On Sept. 14, 2015, Windfall submitted an application to drill the well to the DEP, along with an erosion and sedimentation plan, a control and disposal plan, the application submitted to the EPA and the permit from the EPA.
The review process by the DEP includes the application being reviewed by a DEP geologist, a water quality specialist and others.
According to the DEP, recycling of materials is encouraged as a first option, but some waste must be disposed of and “…deep underground injection is the safest way to manage such wastes.” The information sheet goes on to say the liquids may be similar to fresh water or water high in chloride and other dissolved solids.
The sheet also states, “The history of underground disposal shows that it is a practical, safe and effective method for disposing of fluids from oil and gas production,” and the best locations are in depleted oil and gas fields with sufficient permeability to accept large volumes.
Additionally, according to the DEP, the EPA requires as much information regarding faults in the area and whether they pose seismic risk. The EPA is also to conduct research regarding pressures from injection to prevent earthquakes.
Public testimony during the hearing took both the DEP and the EPA to task on their research and the safety of injection wells, noting such wells have a high failure rate across the country and have been linked to significant seismic activity.
One of those who spoke was Diane Bernardo, speaking on behalf of DuBois City Council. She presented information on the location of two fault lines located near the proposed site, one two mines away and one only one-half mile away.
The closer one is a reverse, high-angle fault 400 feet higher on the northwest side than the southwest side and the asymmetrical structures extend 150-200 miles, into New York, according to a geologic report commissioned by the city in 1958.
Bernardo added that seismologists from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, NY, “…contend the deepest earthquakes occur on reverse faults, which develop kinks and bends, as they slide past each other, thus generating more faults.”
Mary Ann Atkinson also testified that there is already one leaking gas well in the area of the fault lines.
Brady Township Supervisor Charlie Muth, who stated he has 34 years of experience in the gas industry, stated that because of these fracture lines, and the way they twist and turn and create new fractures, there is no way to determine where fluids will ultimately end up.
James Green, father of Highland Street Extension resident Darlene Marshall, who was unable to attend, noted the federal government has known since the 1960’s that pumping waste underground causes earthquakes, according to Marshall’s research on the matter.
In addition to the fault lines, there are abandoned coal mines in the area, which are deteriorating, as pointed out by several residents.
Another concern is the quality of water in the area, which is related to the above concerns with fault lines and fractures. Two water wells are located within 1,000 feet of the proposed site, one 897 feet away and the other 832 feet away.
Bernardo noted the proximity of the DuBois reservoir and four newly-dug wells, all of which supply 25,000 people and businesses in Sandy and Union townships as well as DuBois and Sykesville Borough and soon Falls Creek Borough.
The wells have three protection zones. There were 213 point-source potential sources of contamination identified during the creation of a source water protection plan. The worst of the sources included oil and gas fields, an industrial mining site and coal mining areas. The proposed injection well is two-and-a-half to three miles from these water wells within one or two of the three protection zones.
Other residents raised concerns about water contamination and whether Windfall could, or even would, supply drinking water in the event of a failure or contamination.
It was noted by Muth and others that the cost of bringing public water to the area could top $1 million. A resident of Falls Creek expressed the fear that once they are on public water, their new water source could be contaminated due to the injection well.
“If you do nothing else,” Muth said to the DEP representatives, “Make them (Windfall) put up a bond!”
Another resident said the DEP shouldn’t gamble with people’s water, and yet another reminded them that their mission statement ensures protecting water and air and the health of state citizens.
Residents questioned Windfall’s concern for the health and safety of citizens, noting past violations and reported public statements of unconcern.
Transportation of the material to be injected into the well is also of concern, as it would be transported over public roads, past homes, schools, etc. One person stated that no one wants the well, except for Windfall and the property owner.
Additionally, the Clearfield County Commissioners and Rep. Matt Gabler, R-75 of DuBois, submitted letters of opposition to the proposed well.
The DEP will continue to accept comment on the well in writing until March 14. Comments may be submitted by mail to DEP, in care of Tom Donohue, Southwest Oil & Gas District, 400 Waterfront Dr., Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, via e-mail to tdonohue@pa.gov or by fax at 412-442-4194.
Written comments should include name, address and phone number of the person filing the comment, identification of the proposed plan (Frank and Susan Zelman No. 1) and a concise statement of the objections to the plan approval and the relevant facts upon which the objections are based.
Responses will be available on the DEP Web site, www.dep.pa.gov. Click on “Regional Resources” and then on “Southwest Regional Office” then “Community Information” or by calling 570-327-3636.
