Driller Addresses Local Concerns Over Danger
Traffic issues are also eyed
Wheeling Intelligencer
19
November 2010
By Casey Junkins
NEW MARTINSVILLE - From gas well fires to traffic accidents, there are
many documented risks associated with Marcellus Shale natural gas
drilling.
To help address community concerns, Chesapeake Energy - the most active
driller in Wetzel County and all of the Northern Panhandle - worked
with local residents to establish the Chesapeake Wetzel County
Community Advisory Panel. The group of about 30 members representing
government, business, emergency services, and other interested parties
met Thursday in New Martinsville.
"We are here to allow for communication between the company and the
community," said group consultant Jennifer Goddard of Ann Green
Communications Inc.
During the meeting, Chesapeake spokeswoman Amy Dobkin listened as panel
members - along with Wetzel County Action Group member Bill Hughes -
expressed their views on a variety of topics.
Following the meeting, Dobkin referred all questions regarding the
session to Chesapeake Director of Corporate Development Stacey Brodak.
"Chesapeake Appalachia LLC is committed to being a good neighbor and a
major factor in accomplishing that is an open line of communication
with those who live near our drilling activity," Brodak wrote via
e-mail in reference to the local subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy. "We
sought out specialists, Ann Green Communications, a third party meeting
facilitator, to establish a Community Advisory Panel."
"The (panel) has served us well and we believe the members would agree
that a great deal of information is exchanged at the meetings. Over
time, the members gain vast knowledge and insight in the natural gas
industry. We hope to learn from the members of the (panel) different
ways they believe we can improve and positively impact the community
and its residents," Brodak added.
On Tuesday, a flatbed truck carrying a gas rig destined for a
Chesapeake drilling site lost control while traveling on Cameron Ridge,
heading off the side of the road.
Concerns such as this were paramount Thursday to group member Rose
Baker.
Baker said last winter, volunteer firefighters from various Wetzel
County departments were called out to several traffic accidents
involving Chesapeake trucks and equipment. However, she said the
firefighters were only assigned to direct traffic.
"These guys are volunteers and have jobs to go to," she said.
Dobkin told Baker Chesapeake would look into the matter to see if a
solution could be found.
Currently, Chesapeake is planning to drill for gas on property located
near The Highlands in Ohio County, while the company is still awaiting
permission from the state office of oil and gas to drill in Oglebay
Park. The Oklahoma City-based firm also has active operations
throughout Marshall County.
Goddard said the group's December meeting is a special "group
appreciation dinner," so the next regular meeting will take place some
time in January at a time and location to be announced.