This is Not A Drill
Butler Eagle
Nathan Bottiger
October 15, 2017
BUTLER TWP — Rex Energy will move forward with natural gas drilling at Krendale Golf Course, a decision which has reinvigorated local groups' opposition to the well pad's placement and prompted one man to vow to fight the pad's construction in court.
The company says plans to drill on the golf course have been in the works for years now.
“The project has essentially been on hold for the last three years,” said Michael Endler, a vice president and Appalachian regional manager for Rex Energy. “We anticipate that we will be developing that project within the next 12 months.”
Endler said the project has been halted because the company needed to get the proper state permits for drilling and operating the well.
Rex Energy received those in June, he said, as well as a permit regarding erosion and sediment control. A zoning permit is the final prerequisite before site work can begin.
The company has not filed for that permit, according to township zoning officer Jessie Hines.
Endler said that once the well pad is complete, it could take from six months to a year to develop into a producing well.
“Once the wells are into production, there'll be a couple of tanks, the wells themselves and a fence around the area,” he said.
Otherwise, there would be little activity at the site.
These developments have spurred action from groups like the Section 27 Alliance, an organization dedicated to stopping companies wanting to drill in residential areas of Butler Township, and Marcellus Outreach in Butler, a group that opposes unconventional drilling or “fracking,” in general.
Drilling at Krendale has been a controversial issue for years. Butler Township commissioners approved the well pad in September 2014 by unanimous vote, despite opposition from 14 residents who spoke against the well.
One of those residents was Joseph McMurray, president of the Section 27 Alliance. He said drilling for natural gas is too dangerous for residential areas, and vowed to take legal action against Rex Energy if the company proceeds with its plans for a well pad on Krendale Golf Course.
“The primary issue with (the Krendale pad) is that it's being permitted in an area that is zoned residential,” McMurray said.
McMurray and his group teamed up with Marcellus Outreach in Butler to place an ad in the Butler Eagle last week. The ad showed an image of a one-mile radius, marked in red, around the Krendale pad where people could be evacuated from or asked to stay in their homes in case of a fire or explosion at the well pad.
The graphic highlighted the fact that two schools, Alameda Plaza, the VA complex and senior living facilities are within the one-mile radius.
They followed this with additional displays. The first involved projecting an image of a crossed out rig with the words “Not My Neighborhood” onto buildings around the city and township of Butler. McMurray said they also had volunteers hold signs at popular spots near the Krendale pad.
“We had people standing around at intersections where the one-mile zone intersected popular cross-sections,” he said.
Endler said Rex Energy works with local emergency responders to plan for well pad accidents, and goes above and beyond some state regulations by installing sound and light barriers.
“We have numerous well sites around Butler County and have a good reputation as good neighbors,” Endler said.
Butler Township Fire Marshal Larry Christy said volunteer firefighters have fought at least one well pad fire in the township in recent years. He said the first happened a few years ago, and they followed the proper procedure.
“Once they got the pump shut down, which they did remotely, they were able to put it out with some extinguishers and water,” Christy said.
He added that well sites are something volunteer fire companies have continued training for by following new information and new techniques. He said they will be ready if another well pad accident occurs.
“The guys have all had their training,” he said.
But being prepared for an accident does not mean there isn't risk, McMurray said.
“There's health and safety concerns,” he said. “At any time during the production process there's a chance of explosions.”
McMurray said he is also waiting to see how court cases in Pennsylvania play out on natural gas drilling in residential areas. He said if a court decision provides an opportunity through a generalized ruling, then all they need is the money to fight Rex over the drilling.
“If we can get financial support from the community, I feel pretty good about our case,” he said.
Engler did not comment on the implications of the lawsuit, but he said making a connection with the community is a priority. He said their role is to show residents through their actions that they can work efficiently and safely in their procedures.
“We have a history of surrounding wells that have been very productive for us,” Endler said. “We strive to be a good partner and a good neighbor in these communities.”
Nathan Bottiger
October 15, 2017
BUTLER TWP — Rex Energy will move forward with natural gas drilling at Krendale Golf Course, a decision which has reinvigorated local groups' opposition to the well pad's placement and prompted one man to vow to fight the pad's construction in court.
The company says plans to drill on the golf course have been in the works for years now.
“The project has essentially been on hold for the last three years,” said Michael Endler, a vice president and Appalachian regional manager for Rex Energy. “We anticipate that we will be developing that project within the next 12 months.”
Endler said the project has been halted because the company needed to get the proper state permits for drilling and operating the well.
Rex Energy received those in June, he said, as well as a permit regarding erosion and sediment control. A zoning permit is the final prerequisite before site work can begin.
The company has not filed for that permit, according to township zoning officer Jessie Hines.
Endler said that once the well pad is complete, it could take from six months to a year to develop into a producing well.
“Once the wells are into production, there'll be a couple of tanks, the wells themselves and a fence around the area,” he said.
Otherwise, there would be little activity at the site.
These developments have spurred action from groups like the Section 27 Alliance, an organization dedicated to stopping companies wanting to drill in residential areas of Butler Township, and Marcellus Outreach in Butler, a group that opposes unconventional drilling or “fracking,” in general.
Drilling at Krendale has been a controversial issue for years. Butler Township commissioners approved the well pad in September 2014 by unanimous vote, despite opposition from 14 residents who spoke against the well.
One of those residents was Joseph McMurray, president of the Section 27 Alliance. He said drilling for natural gas is too dangerous for residential areas, and vowed to take legal action against Rex Energy if the company proceeds with its plans for a well pad on Krendale Golf Course.
“The primary issue with (the Krendale pad) is that it's being permitted in an area that is zoned residential,” McMurray said.
McMurray and his group teamed up with Marcellus Outreach in Butler to place an ad in the Butler Eagle last week. The ad showed an image of a one-mile radius, marked in red, around the Krendale pad where people could be evacuated from or asked to stay in their homes in case of a fire or explosion at the well pad.
The graphic highlighted the fact that two schools, Alameda Plaza, the VA complex and senior living facilities are within the one-mile radius.
They followed this with additional displays. The first involved projecting an image of a crossed out rig with the words “Not My Neighborhood” onto buildings around the city and township of Butler. McMurray said they also had volunteers hold signs at popular spots near the Krendale pad.
“We had people standing around at intersections where the one-mile zone intersected popular cross-sections,” he said.
Endler said Rex Energy works with local emergency responders to plan for well pad accidents, and goes above and beyond some state regulations by installing sound and light barriers.
“We have numerous well sites around Butler County and have a good reputation as good neighbors,” Endler said.
Butler Township Fire Marshal Larry Christy said volunteer firefighters have fought at least one well pad fire in the township in recent years. He said the first happened a few years ago, and they followed the proper procedure.
“Once they got the pump shut down, which they did remotely, they were able to put it out with some extinguishers and water,” Christy said.
He added that well sites are something volunteer fire companies have continued training for by following new information and new techniques. He said they will be ready if another well pad accident occurs.
“The guys have all had their training,” he said.
But being prepared for an accident does not mean there isn't risk, McMurray said.
“There's health and safety concerns,” he said. “At any time during the production process there's a chance of explosions.”
McMurray said he is also waiting to see how court cases in Pennsylvania play out on natural gas drilling in residential areas. He said if a court decision provides an opportunity through a generalized ruling, then all they need is the money to fight Rex over the drilling.
“If we can get financial support from the community, I feel pretty good about our case,” he said.
Engler did not comment on the implications of the lawsuit, but he said making a connection with the community is a priority. He said their role is to show residents through their actions that they can work efficiently and safely in their procedures.
“We have a history of surrounding wells that have been very productive for us,” Endler said. “We strive to be a good partner and a good neighbor in these communities.”
Angry outburst gets speaker tossed out
Officer escorts leader of group from meeting
November 18, 2014
BUTLER TWP — Just mention Marcellus Shale at a Butler Township meeting and you’re sure to hear an opinion.
But the hot button topic reached a new incendiary level Monday evening, when the leader of a citizens group was escorted from the commissioner’s meeting by a police officer after taking to the public podium, raising his voice and using profanity.
“That’s never happened in the seven years I’ve been here,” township manager Ed Kirkwood said of both the cursing and the police involvement.
The outburst by Joseph McMurry, president of Section 27 Alliance, came at the end of the meeting when residents were given the opportunity to speak. Previously, the opportunity to speak occurred at the beginning of the meetings.
In an e-mail to township officials and community members earlier in the week, McMurry bemoaned the change saying his group, which is dedicated to halting a gas well planned for the Krendale Golf Course, now would “ ... have to sit through a whole crapload of township business ...”
The e-mail, provided to the Butler Eagle, further went on to allege that the board’s invitation to David Spigelmyer, president of the industrial group Marcellus Shale Coalition, to speak at the meeting — first on the agenda — was “extreme provocation.”
Commissioners Chairman Joe Hasychak during the meeting drew attention to the e-mail and said he believed all of the agenda items, which included introduction of the township’s proposed 2015 preliminary budget, were important. He asked McMurry to explain his e-mail.
McMurry said his group is focused on stopping the Krendale gas well pad, including any potential legal action, because the township forced its hand.
“We don’t like it any more than you do ... it’s a lot of work,” he said. “If you hadn’t changed the god**** ordinance ...”
At that point, township police Detective Lt. David Fish was told to escort McMurry to the parking lot. McMurry was compliant and will face no citations, Fish said later.
Meantime, Commissioner Charles Nedz, as a follow-up to a meeting of the zoning oversight committee last week, said that group at a December commissioners’ meeting will recommend changes to the township zoning laws that could include changes to the rules regulating well drilling.
This advisory group, according to township officials, is different from the citizens group formed last month to research topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its findings and present them to officials. Kirkwood said he has not received any communication on when that group could potentially appear before the commissioners.
The township officials said those two groups also are different from the township’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Board, which formed in 2009 to research the gas and oil topics and advise the township. That group has been inactive for years, officials said.
Hasychak noted that McMurry was an original member of that group, but “he resigned.”
Before the exchange between McMurry and Hasychak, Commissioner Sam Zurzolo said he did not understand why no one complained about the zoning ordinance until now and added that the ongoing disagreement is “costing us all kinds of money and legal fees ... It’s getting a little bit ridiculous.”
See our blog post for another side to this article.
BUTLER TWP — Just mention Marcellus Shale at a Butler Township meeting and you’re sure to hear an opinion.
But the hot button topic reached a new incendiary level Monday evening, when the leader of a citizens group was escorted from the commissioner’s meeting by a police officer after taking to the public podium, raising his voice and using profanity.
“That’s never happened in the seven years I’ve been here,” township manager Ed Kirkwood said of both the cursing and the police involvement.
The outburst by Joseph McMurry, president of Section 27 Alliance, came at the end of the meeting when residents were given the opportunity to speak. Previously, the opportunity to speak occurred at the beginning of the meetings.
In an e-mail to township officials and community members earlier in the week, McMurry bemoaned the change saying his group, which is dedicated to halting a gas well planned for the Krendale Golf Course, now would “ ... have to sit through a whole crapload of township business ...”
The e-mail, provided to the Butler Eagle, further went on to allege that the board’s invitation to David Spigelmyer, president of the industrial group Marcellus Shale Coalition, to speak at the meeting — first on the agenda — was “extreme provocation.”
Commissioners Chairman Joe Hasychak during the meeting drew attention to the e-mail and said he believed all of the agenda items, which included introduction of the township’s proposed 2015 preliminary budget, were important. He asked McMurry to explain his e-mail.
McMurry said his group is focused on stopping the Krendale gas well pad, including any potential legal action, because the township forced its hand.
“We don’t like it any more than you do ... it’s a lot of work,” he said. “If you hadn’t changed the god**** ordinance ...”
At that point, township police Detective Lt. David Fish was told to escort McMurry to the parking lot. McMurry was compliant and will face no citations, Fish said later.
Meantime, Commissioner Charles Nedz, as a follow-up to a meeting of the zoning oversight committee last week, said that group at a December commissioners’ meeting will recommend changes to the township zoning laws that could include changes to the rules regulating well drilling.
This advisory group, according to township officials, is different from the citizens group formed last month to research topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its findings and present them to officials. Kirkwood said he has not received any communication on when that group could potentially appear before the commissioners.
The township officials said those two groups also are different from the township’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Board, which formed in 2009 to research the gas and oil topics and advise the township. That group has been inactive for years, officials said.
Hasychak noted that McMurry was an original member of that group, but “he resigned.”
Before the exchange between McMurry and Hasychak, Commissioner Sam Zurzolo said he did not understand why no one complained about the zoning ordinance until now and added that the ongoing disagreement is “costing us all kinds of money and legal fees ... It’s getting a little bit ridiculous.”
See our blog post for another side to this article.
Butler Twp. Marcellus Panel Not Likely to Change Much
October 22, 2014
Butler Eagle — by T.A.H.
Butler Township Commissioners have borrowed a page from Slippery Rock Borough Council’s playbook — and not a very good page at that.
The township’s appointment of a gas well advisory panel on Monday has all the trappings and potential pitfalls of Slippery Rock’s trash advisory panel of about a year ago. That advisory panel had no authority, no accountability and no impact on a final decision to change bulk trash collection dates back to their original times of year. Council members deemed it easier to have a committee go back on an unpopular decision than to reverse it themselves.
Butler Township’s issue isn’t trash; it’s Marcellus Shale gas wells and regulations criticized by many for being too lenient. The commissioners formed the new panel on the spot Monday after a resident in attendance suggested it.
It was not made clear when, where or how frequently this new board will meet or what its specific task would be.
That’s questionable.
Meanwhile, the commissioners did authorize Solicitor Larry Lutz to go ahead with amendments to the township’s gas and oil extraction ordinance. The amendments would restrict drilling in residential and commercially zoned properties, but the amendments will not apply to the crux of residents’ complaints — gas wells already approved for the Krendale Golf Course property. Lutz said the amendments can’t retroactively apply to the Krendale well pad because Rex Energy received approval in September to build them.
Also questionable: the panel’s appointed leader, Jillian Ramsey Stern, is the resident who suggested the panel just moments earlier. When asked afterward by a reporter about her qualifications, Stern said only: “I live here.”
But perhaps the most questionable detail is whether the panel’s meetings would be public. This should not be a question at all: government functions are public, with few, notable exceptions covered specifically under the state’s sunshine law.
The creation of an advisory panel to study an ordinance already being composed by the solicitor has the look and feel of an added buffer between the public and their elected government representatives — a panel that was klatsched together for appearance’s sake, with no authority or objective and little accountability.
The advisory panel is tasked with researching topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its recommendations and present them to officials.
Ironically, that’s exactly what the shale gas opponents claim to have been doing all along.
Section 27 Alliance note: Here's a link to a report written for the first Butler Township Marcellus Shale Advisory Board
Butler Eagle — by T.A.H.
Butler Township Commissioners have borrowed a page from Slippery Rock Borough Council’s playbook — and not a very good page at that.
The township’s appointment of a gas well advisory panel on Monday has all the trappings and potential pitfalls of Slippery Rock’s trash advisory panel of about a year ago. That advisory panel had no authority, no accountability and no impact on a final decision to change bulk trash collection dates back to their original times of year. Council members deemed it easier to have a committee go back on an unpopular decision than to reverse it themselves.
Butler Township’s issue isn’t trash; it’s Marcellus Shale gas wells and regulations criticized by many for being too lenient. The commissioners formed the new panel on the spot Monday after a resident in attendance suggested it.
It was not made clear when, where or how frequently this new board will meet or what its specific task would be.
That’s questionable.
Meanwhile, the commissioners did authorize Solicitor Larry Lutz to go ahead with amendments to the township’s gas and oil extraction ordinance. The amendments would restrict drilling in residential and commercially zoned properties, but the amendments will not apply to the crux of residents’ complaints — gas wells already approved for the Krendale Golf Course property. Lutz said the amendments can’t retroactively apply to the Krendale well pad because Rex Energy received approval in September to build them.
Also questionable: the panel’s appointed leader, Jillian Ramsey Stern, is the resident who suggested the panel just moments earlier. When asked afterward by a reporter about her qualifications, Stern said only: “I live here.”
But perhaps the most questionable detail is whether the panel’s meetings would be public. This should not be a question at all: government functions are public, with few, notable exceptions covered specifically under the state’s sunshine law.
The creation of an advisory panel to study an ordinance already being composed by the solicitor has the look and feel of an added buffer between the public and their elected government representatives — a panel that was klatsched together for appearance’s sake, with no authority or objective and little accountability.
The advisory panel is tasked with researching topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its recommendations and present them to officials.
Ironically, that’s exactly what the shale gas opponents claim to have been doing all along.
Section 27 Alliance note: Here's a link to a report written for the first Butler Township Marcellus Shale Advisory Board
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Butler Twp. creates well advisory board
New panel will have 7 members
By Kim Paskorz, Butler Eagle
BUTLER TWP — Marcellus Shale gas wells, especially those planned for the Krendale Golf Course, continue to be a hot topic in the township.
On Monday, the township commissioners created a 7-member advisory board on the topic of wells, and they authorized the township solicitor to prepare amendments to the Natural Gas and Oil Extraction Ordinance to restrict development on residential and commercially zoned properties.
Solicitor Larry Lutz said the proposed amendments, which could include a ban on residential placement of gas wells, cannot be retroactively applied to the Krendale well pad that Rex Energy received approval in September to build.
However, under the state’s Pending Ordinance Doctrine, any well proposal that comes before the board now could be subject to the zoning changes.
“In a way, we are bailing them out if we succeed,” said resident Joseph McMurry, who retained a lawyer on behalf of himself and his citizen’s action group, called Section 27 Alliance. “The only way to stop Krendale now is legal action.”
In addition to objections about drilling, which include the potential for water, air and noise pollution, residents have said they object to the proximity of gas wells at Krendale to homes, businesses and schools.
The pad, which would be accessed from Route 68 near its intersection with Eberhart Road, would be capable of housing up to nine wells.
Commissioners also expressed their concerns about the well pad at the September meeting, but acknowledged in their vote that Rex’s proposal met all of the ordinance requirements.
More than a half dozen people again on Monday spoke about the dangers of drilling in residential areas, and specifically at Krendale. A number of them questioned what, if any, evacuation plan is in place if something goes wrong.
“How many people are going to die if there’s an explosion?” questioned resident Tom Edwards.
And resident Aaron Edwards said he thought commissioners “threw us under the bus on this one ... I think you betrayed us. If you look closely enough, you can see dollar signs in your eyes.”
The commissioners, saying they were put on notice of possible litigation by McMurry, did not respond to the questions. However, they did unanimously approve an idea proposed by Jillian Ramsey Stern to create an advisory board.
According to Stern’s idea, the board will be made up of seven people including herself, township zoning officer Jesse Hines and fire marshal Larry Christy.
The group will research topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its recommendations and present them to officials. The group also could do community outreach, presenting its findings to residents.
Stern, who said she would serve as the yet unnamed group’s leader, said of her qualifications: “I live here.”
Although it was unclear if the advisory board’s meetings would be open to the public, Lutz said he would take input from the group before presenting proposed ordinance changes to the commissioners.
Township officials said there is no timeline to present possible changes.
BUTLER TWP — Marcellus Shale gas wells, especially those planned for the Krendale Golf Course, continue to be a hot topic in the township.
On Monday, the township commissioners created a 7-member advisory board on the topic of wells, and they authorized the township solicitor to prepare amendments to the Natural Gas and Oil Extraction Ordinance to restrict development on residential and commercially zoned properties.
Solicitor Larry Lutz said the proposed amendments, which could include a ban on residential placement of gas wells, cannot be retroactively applied to the Krendale well pad that Rex Energy received approval in September to build.
However, under the state’s Pending Ordinance Doctrine, any well proposal that comes before the board now could be subject to the zoning changes.
“In a way, we are bailing them out if we succeed,” said resident Joseph McMurry, who retained a lawyer on behalf of himself and his citizen’s action group, called Section 27 Alliance. “The only way to stop Krendale now is legal action.”
In addition to objections about drilling, which include the potential for water, air and noise pollution, residents have said they object to the proximity of gas wells at Krendale to homes, businesses and schools.
The pad, which would be accessed from Route 68 near its intersection with Eberhart Road, would be capable of housing up to nine wells.
Commissioners also expressed their concerns about the well pad at the September meeting, but acknowledged in their vote that Rex’s proposal met all of the ordinance requirements.
More than a half dozen people again on Monday spoke about the dangers of drilling in residential areas, and specifically at Krendale. A number of them questioned what, if any, evacuation plan is in place if something goes wrong.
“How many people are going to die if there’s an explosion?” questioned resident Tom Edwards.
And resident Aaron Edwards said he thought commissioners “threw us under the bus on this one ... I think you betrayed us. If you look closely enough, you can see dollar signs in your eyes.”
The commissioners, saying they were put on notice of possible litigation by McMurry, did not respond to the questions. However, they did unanimously approve an idea proposed by Jillian Ramsey Stern to create an advisory board.
According to Stern’s idea, the board will be made up of seven people including herself, township zoning officer Jesse Hines and fire marshal Larry Christy.
The group will research topics related to the oil and gas industry, compile its recommendations and present them to officials. The group also could do community outreach, presenting its findings to residents.
Stern, who said she would serve as the yet unnamed group’s leader, said of her qualifications: “I live here.”
Although it was unclear if the advisory board’s meetings would be open to the public, Lutz said he would take input from the group before presenting proposed ordinance changes to the commissioners.
Township officials said there is no timeline to present possible changes.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, 2:17 p.m.
Placement of Butler Township well pad questioned
by Rick Wells, Pittsburgh Tribune
October 11, 2014
Joseph McMurry speaks about Section 27 Alliance at the Global Frackdown
A group of Butler Township residents is exploring possible legal action in hopes of preventing natural gas drilling in residential zones.
The Section 27 Alliance group met Saturday at the Butler Public Library to discuss the Krendale and Schaffner Road gas well sites in the township, and to judge residents’ interest in fighting the wells in court.
More than 50 residents attended the meeting, which lasted about two hours.
“We cannot depend on our elected officials to make reasonable decisions,” said Joseph McMurry, a founding member of the alliance.
The alliance named itself after Article 1, Section 27 of the state constitution, which says people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment.
“We decided to name our group what we’re for, not what we’re against,” McMurry said.
The group is not fighting natural gas drilling in general, just in residential zones. It claims the well pads near homes decrease property values, are a nuisance to neighbors, and bring a strong concern for safety of residents.
Organizers of the group said they already have met with a law firm in Pittsburgh that specializes in environmental law. The group did not disclose the firm.
McMurry said the group is trying to determine whether it wants to challenge the township’s ordinance that allows drilling in residential zones, or one of the Krendale or Schaffner Road pads. Each of the complaints would have to be challenged separately.
McMurry said the Krendale pad is probably the most pressured by time.
The group is basing many of its complaints on the state Supreme Court’s ruling that made certain parts of Act 13 unconstitutional. Part of the act ruled unconstitutional by the court focused on the state having the ability to mandate that municipalities allow drilling in all zones.
“The arguments behind the ruling can potentially be applied to Butler Township’s ordinance,” McMurry said.
One of the biggest concerns expressed at the meeting was a one mile evacuation zone surrounding the two well pads already approved by the township.
VA Butler Healthcare, Moraine Pointe Plaza, Butler Commons, and the Benbrook Ambulatory Surgery Center all are within the evacuation zone for the Krendale pad, McMurry said.
Sam Hoszwa, another founding member of the alliance, said most of the businesses and residents within the one mile radius of the pad don’t know about it.
Hoszwa said he spoke with officials at the VA Butler Healthcare Center who expressed concern about the pad.
“They thought I was someone with the township informing them it was going in,” Hoszwa said. “They knew nothing about it.”
The pad is awaiting final permit approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
McMurry said the group would like to challenge the pad in court, but would have to do so quickly and would certainly need an injunction on its drilling.
McMurry asked the residents in attendance if they would be interested in contributing to a lawsuit, and more than half raised their hands when asked if they would contribute more than $100.
McMurry said it would cost thousands to challenge the pads and the township ordinance.
The group expects to have another public meeting at the library after another meeting with the law firm.
The Section 27 Alliance group met Saturday at the Butler Public Library to discuss the Krendale and Schaffner Road gas well sites in the township, and to judge residents’ interest in fighting the wells in court.
More than 50 residents attended the meeting, which lasted about two hours.
“We cannot depend on our elected officials to make reasonable decisions,” said Joseph McMurry, a founding member of the alliance.
The alliance named itself after Article 1, Section 27 of the state constitution, which says people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment.
“We decided to name our group what we’re for, not what we’re against,” McMurry said.
The group is not fighting natural gas drilling in general, just in residential zones. It claims the well pads near homes decrease property values, are a nuisance to neighbors, and bring a strong concern for safety of residents.
Organizers of the group said they already have met with a law firm in Pittsburgh that specializes in environmental law. The group did not disclose the firm.
McMurry said the group is trying to determine whether it wants to challenge the township’s ordinance that allows drilling in residential zones, or one of the Krendale or Schaffner Road pads. Each of the complaints would have to be challenged separately.
McMurry said the Krendale pad is probably the most pressured by time.
The group is basing many of its complaints on the state Supreme Court’s ruling that made certain parts of Act 13 unconstitutional. Part of the act ruled unconstitutional by the court focused on the state having the ability to mandate that municipalities allow drilling in all zones.
“The arguments behind the ruling can potentially be applied to Butler Township’s ordinance,” McMurry said.
One of the biggest concerns expressed at the meeting was a one mile evacuation zone surrounding the two well pads already approved by the township.
VA Butler Healthcare, Moraine Pointe Plaza, Butler Commons, and the Benbrook Ambulatory Surgery Center all are within the evacuation zone for the Krendale pad, McMurry said.
Sam Hoszwa, another founding member of the alliance, said most of the businesses and residents within the one mile radius of the pad don’t know about it.
Hoszwa said he spoke with officials at the VA Butler Healthcare Center who expressed concern about the pad.
“They thought I was someone with the township informing them it was going in,” Hoszwa said. “They knew nothing about it.”
The pad is awaiting final permit approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
McMurry said the group would like to challenge the pad in court, but would have to do so quickly and would certainly need an injunction on its drilling.
McMurry asked the residents in attendance if they would be interested in contributing to a lawsuit, and more than half raised their hands when asked if they would contribute more than $100.
McMurry said it would cost thousands to challenge the pads and the township ordinance.
The group expects to have another public meeting at the library after another meeting with the law firm.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, 9:00 p.m.
Butler Township OKs gas-drilling plan
by Rick Wells, Pittsburgh Tribune
September 16, 2014
Gas well pad OK'd in township Residents loudly voice opposition
By Kim Paskorz, Butler Eagle
BUTLER TWP — Rex Energy received approval Monday night to build a Marcellus Shale gas well pad on the property of Krendale Golf Course by a unanimous vote of the township commissioners.
However, that's not the same as saying the well pad got the board's blessing.
The vote followed more than an hour and a half of discussion among residents, commissioners and company representatives on the potential imminent and long-term dangers of a well pad as well as the proximity of it to homes, businesses and schools.
Representatives of Rex Energy said the pad would be accessed from Route 68 near its intersection with Eberhart Road and would be capable of housing up to nine wells.
It will have no buildings and be on a portion of the 239 acres that is zoned multifamily residential and is not used by the golf course itself.
More than 60 people attended the meeting and 15 spoke. Of them, 14 spoke against the well pad, citing concerns about water, air and noise pollution as well as a probable increase in traffic.
Greenwood Drive resident Richard Forsythe was the lone person to speak in favor of the wells, saying they were cleaner than other energy sources, like coal.
“This is part of the free market,” Forsythe said.
Other speakers used words like “insane,” “crazy” and “disaster waiting to happen” to describe the plan. Occasionally people shouted negative remarks out of turn.
More people would have stepped up to the podium, but the commissioners declined to hear from people who do not live in the township.
“I'm mortified,” said Aaron Edwards, noting that his 9-month-old son attends school at the nearby Lifesteps building.
“Any damage caused by this pad will be directly linked to your ordinance,” warned resident Joseph McMurry.
Throughout the meeting, the commissioners expressed their individual concerns about the well pad but acknowledged in their vote that Rex's proposal meets all of the ordinance requirements.
“We want to change our ordinance, but it's too late for this one. Isn't it?” asked commissioners Chairman Joe Hasychak.
Township officials said they have hired a consultant to look at making changes to zoning ordinances. But solicitor Larry Lutz told the crowd it could be a complicated process because some property owners in the township already have made leases with oil and gas companies based on the ordinance, which was passed in December 2012.
The commissioners during the meeting quizzed the Rex Energy officials no fewer than three times about moving the location of the pad.
Duane Maust of Rex Energy said the location decision is based on geology, the amount of leases in the area, topography and the golf course owners' wishes. The pad will be on a 3-acre gravel area but will disturb about 14 acres.
Mark Krenitsky, one of the owners of the golf course, attended the meeting but did not speak. Afterward, he said that as it stands, the proposal will not affect the 27-hole golf course.
“This is on an unused piece of property,” Krenitsky said.
The proposal came to the commissioners without a recommendation from the township planning commission. The planning commissioners refused to vote in favor or against the project.
Hasychak said the planning commission disappointed him by failing to vote.
However, that's not the same as saying the well pad got the board's blessing.
The vote followed more than an hour and a half of discussion among residents, commissioners and company representatives on the potential imminent and long-term dangers of a well pad as well as the proximity of it to homes, businesses and schools.
Representatives of Rex Energy said the pad would be accessed from Route 68 near its intersection with Eberhart Road and would be capable of housing up to nine wells.
It will have no buildings and be on a portion of the 239 acres that is zoned multifamily residential and is not used by the golf course itself.
More than 60 people attended the meeting and 15 spoke. Of them, 14 spoke against the well pad, citing concerns about water, air and noise pollution as well as a probable increase in traffic.
Greenwood Drive resident Richard Forsythe was the lone person to speak in favor of the wells, saying they were cleaner than other energy sources, like coal.
“This is part of the free market,” Forsythe said.
Other speakers used words like “insane,” “crazy” and “disaster waiting to happen” to describe the plan. Occasionally people shouted negative remarks out of turn.
More people would have stepped up to the podium, but the commissioners declined to hear from people who do not live in the township.
“I'm mortified,” said Aaron Edwards, noting that his 9-month-old son attends school at the nearby Lifesteps building.
“Any damage caused by this pad will be directly linked to your ordinance,” warned resident Joseph McMurry.
Throughout the meeting, the commissioners expressed their individual concerns about the well pad but acknowledged in their vote that Rex's proposal meets all of the ordinance requirements.
“We want to change our ordinance, but it's too late for this one. Isn't it?” asked commissioners Chairman Joe Hasychak.
Township officials said they have hired a consultant to look at making changes to zoning ordinances. But solicitor Larry Lutz told the crowd it could be a complicated process because some property owners in the township already have made leases with oil and gas companies based on the ordinance, which was passed in December 2012.
The commissioners during the meeting quizzed the Rex Energy officials no fewer than three times about moving the location of the pad.
Duane Maust of Rex Energy said the location decision is based on geology, the amount of leases in the area, topography and the golf course owners' wishes. The pad will be on a 3-acre gravel area but will disturb about 14 acres.
Mark Krenitsky, one of the owners of the golf course, attended the meeting but did not speak. Afterward, he said that as it stands, the proposal will not affect the 27-hole golf course.
“This is on an unused piece of property,” Krenitsky said.
The proposal came to the commissioners without a recommendation from the township planning commission. The planning commissioners refused to vote in favor or against the project.
Hasychak said the planning commission disappointed him by failing to vote.
People Have the Power!
Section 27 Alliance - P.O. Box 306, Lyndora, PA 16045
Section 27 Alliance - P.O. Box 306, Lyndora, PA 16045