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“Pennslvania is changing. The state is in the process of becoming industrialized,” Peter Wulfhurst, extension agent at the Pennsylvania State Extension office in Milford told The News Eagle last Wednesday.
“Gas drilling is going to happen. We can’t stop it,” he added. “Everyone needs to be educated about the process and its impact on the community,” he affirmed.
Landowners have entered into negotiation with gas companies in Wayne County and are extending into Pike County in a big way. “Lackawaxen Township has leased 6,000 acres to different gas companies,” Wulfurst said.
But, it isn’t just landowners. The State of Pennsylvania has leased over 50 per cent of its forested land to offset the massive deficit in state budgets, according to Wulfhurst.
“What is important is to keep an open dialogue with the gas companies,” he said.
“Some of the dangers are to our fresh water and its’ protective casing where gas drilling is being done. We need to prevent gas, methane and frac fluid from getting into ground water sources,” he added.
“In Susquehanna County methane got into some of the wells,” he continued. “True, the potential threats are isolated. We haven’t seen a lot of this, but it is there,” he said.
Referring to the recent explosion of a gas well, he said, “If the pressure gets too high, it can explode the well.”
The environmental impact is strong.
The key to protecting the environment seems to be strong regulatory measures which has been mentioned often by both environmental experts as well as officals in charge of the oil and gas business who affirm that they believe in regulation.
Wulfurst further went into other problems that develop with the gas drilling in Northeastern Pennsylvania. “The character of our environment is in danger as there is more truck traffic, more people moving into our communities, more workers and people getting heated up on both sides of this issue. This also has the potential of influencing the crime rate which has been a concern of law enforcement.” he mentioned.
Wulfhurst advised the public that if anyone has any concern about their drinking water, it can be tested. It may be contaminated with no visible signs. Call Peter Wulhurst at (570)296-3400 for more information. A website is available to what measures to take to test your water by enclosing a sample to a Pennsylvania Extension Office Agent in an area where this test is performed.
“Pennslvania is changing. The state is in the process of becoming industrialized,” Peter Wulfhurst, extension agent at the Pennsylvania State Extension office in Milford told The News Eagle last Wednesday.
“Gas drilling is going to happen. We can’t stop it,” he added. “Everyone needs to be educated about the process and its impact on the community,” he affirmed.
Landowners have entered into negotiation with gas companies in Wayne County and are extending into Pike County in a big way. “Lackawaxen Township has leased 6,000 acres to different gas companies,” Wulfurst said.
But, it isn’t just landowners. The State of Pennsylvania has leased over 50 per cent of its forested land to offset the massive deficit in state budgets, according to Wulfhurst.
“What is important is to keep an open dialogue with the gas companies,” he said.
“Some of the dangers are to our fresh water and its’ protective casing where gas drilling is being done. We need to prevent gas, methane and frac fluid from getting into ground water sources,” he added.
“In Susquehanna County methane got into some of the wells,” he continued. “True, the potential threats are isolated. We haven’t seen a lot of this, but it is there,” he said.
Referring to the recent explosion of a gas well, he said, “If the pressure gets too high, it can explode the well.”
The environmental impact is strong.
The key to protecting the environment seems to be strong regulatory measures which has been mentioned often by both environmental experts as well as officals in charge of the oil and gas business who affirm that they believe in regulation.
Wulfurst further went into other problems that develop with the gas drilling in Northeastern Pennsylvania. “The character of our environment is in danger as there is more truck traffic, more people moving into our communities, more workers and people getting heated up on both sides of this issue. This also has the potential of influencing the crime rate which has been a concern of law enforcement.” he mentioned.
Wulfhurst advised the public that if anyone has any concern about their drinking water, it can be tested. It may be contaminated with no visible signs. Call Peter Wulhurst at (570)296-3400 for more information. A website is available to what measures to take to test your water by enclosing a sample to a Pennsylvania Extension Office Agent in an area where this test is performed.
