Necessary Attention to Gas 'By-product'
Washington PA Observer Reporter
1 July 2010
A crackdown by state police provides hard evidence that the actual
drilling process is not the only potential threat posed by Marcellus
Shale operations.
During a three-day enforcement effort targeting trucks hauling
wastewater from gas-drilling operations statewide, troopers forced
drivers to park 250 commercial vehicles. Operation FracNET, as it was
called, also involved participation by the state Department of
Environmental Protection, the state Public Utility Commission and the
federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
In all, more than 1,100 vehicles were stopped and inspected. Of the 250
that were taken out of service, more than 130 were hauling wastewater
from drilling sites. Forty-five drivers were pulled off the roads by
troopers, including 23 who were driving wastewater trucks. Their
offenses were not immediately detailed.
Troopers from Troop B, which covers Washington, Greene, Fayette and
Allegheny counties, accounted for 57 of the vehicles that were taken
out of service. They issued 241 citations.
Many residents in our local areas where drilling is taking place have
seen their roads pulverized by heavy truck traffic to the point at
which they sometimes resemble something one might see in a Third World
country, and our personal observations lead us to believe that at least
some of the drivers of the wastewater trucks take speed limit signs as
mere suggestions.
The drilling companies might argue that the drivers and companies
handling removal of wastewater are merely contractors and not under
their direct control, but the gas drillers are ultimately responsible
for any and all segments of the process.
We agree with DEP Secretary John Hanger, who said, "As activities at
natural gas sites continue to increase, it is important that everyone
involved, including the wastewater transportation industry, understands
Pennsylvania's environment and traffic safety laws and complies with
them."