Robert Young: Twin Tiers Perspective: 'Breaker-Breaker' - Fracking And trucking safety And security

Part I of II

A few months ago, The Daily Review featured a Letter to the Editor calling for policing gas and oil wells in Pennsylvania for public safety reasons.

If you ask some people who live and work at the supposed epicenter of the "Marcellus Shale Play," Bradford County, Pa., their concern is usually couched in observations of the somewhat frenzied "fracking" and trucking process at and around oil and gas well sites here.

It has been reported recently that at least one town in New York State has adopted a radical zoning ordinance that effectively excludes all "frac-truck" traffic from the town proper.

Without stretching the truth, it can be surmised that many Bradford County residents would, at least partially support, providing more manpower resources in order to increase the enforcement of motor carrier regulations by authorities, if it would improve local public safety, yet still allow the energy companies to safely "drill baby drill."

Recently, The Daily Review also reported that a Georgia sub-contractor working for a major energy company operating in Bradford County, allegedly dumped some 800 gallons of fluid on a local road. He was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

In the true spirit of the neighborhood or "town watch," the concerned citizen who reported the matter, and all of the authorities responding to the occurrence, should be commended for their good work bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.

This two part column calls for increased manpower as well as heightened regulation and enforcement on the ground that would exceed the already excellent work of officials who have been working tirelessly at the county, state and federal levels for quite some time now.

This piece is not the product of a scientist or gas man; and, it doesn't take a PhD in geology, or the vast and practical experience of a veteran roughneck to reasonably conclude that there's a veritable fire-storm of controversy brewing regarding what's commonly termed "the hydraulic-fracturing process," and it's ultimate affects on the environment, human beings, animals, private and public property.

Like anything else in life, it seems that "the learned ones" frequently say that there's negatives and positives on both sides of any argument, and the key to success is reaching common ground, and arriving at a mutually beneficial conclusion that actually does "no harm to no one."

As a layman, the way I understand it, any industrial intrusion on pristine nature may have environmental, ecological and social ramifications; both good and bad, depending on your perspective.

Some energy corporations say in their brochures that the emergence of gas and oil production is in its infancy in our region, and for better or worse, many people are already noticing the difference in the most profound ways. The infusion of capital into the economy here, and across the state is a welcome and positive change that portends a healthy monetary future for many people.

This is a good thing, and we embrace it; however, closely guarding public health, safety and security still remains an important communal objective demanding continual attention devoted to detail, vigilance, and an oversight plan that is guided by a professional, competent approach which is practical, legal, ethical and equitable for all parties involved.

Any effective regimen of group problem-solving which involves acquiring the goal of true and equal compromise, attained as a result of sitting down, rolling up our sleeves, and simply getting the job done right the first time, is an absolutely desirable outcome to achieve together.

Extracting shale gas from natural reserves contained in the deep deposits of ancient geological formations underground, is truly an ominous and monumental endeavor that is awe-inspiring to some.

Energy corporation advertisements purport that their activity has been successfully and safely accomplished to date world-wide, without incident. But, a host of news reports document that accidents, mishaps and alleged damage has already occurred at many locations throughout the globe.

The documentary titled "Gas Land" graphically demonstrates the widely publicized struggle of Dimock, Pa. area residents, who are, (according to reports), currently experiencing issues with their water quality which reportedly happened during and after some operations of the "Marcellus Shale Play."

Experts note that evidently in the "fracking process," water, chemicals, (some of which critics say may be potentially hazardous and toxic fluids, other substances and particles), are injected into the well at extremely high pressures, and the likes of which apparently shatter the shale rock laying thousands of feet below ground which eventually enables the removal of the precious product called "natural gas."

It seems obvious, (even to a regular guy like me), that puncturing and penetrating the earth, and introducing a host of proprietary and generally undisclosed or regulated chemicals and water and sand deep underground causes legitimate concerns which should be examined objectively by scientists working in the interest of the people and the energy companies.

It seems that the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and Penn State, have done just that. This think tank has released a study explaining their take on the impact of drilling on rural drinking water, and they have issued a report that may be accessed via the Internet to assist everyone interested in educating themselves during their own decision-making process.

Some citizen advocacy groups propose that there are vital environmental issues involving alleged compromises to ground water quality associated with gas and oil, extraction, treating, enhancing, storage, and eventual transportation to the market.

They say that the public needs to be protected, because reportedly; chemicals that are primarily consistent with the production of natural gas have been discovered in the drinking water of some aquifers during and after drilling. As a result, a clarion call for heightened regulation is currently underway in some circles, and gas companies are taking steps to rectify any alleged problems designated by officials as resulting from their operations.

Groundwater worries at and around gas and oil well sites is only one matter among many that may involve eventual mitigation. Equally important are issues of air quality, noise pollution, increased truck traffic, vehicular and pedestrian safety, as is the visual alteration of landscapes, (scenic impacts), and last but not least, wear and tear on area roads and bridges caused by the toll of such industrial trucking activity. These are only a few of the many vital public health, safety and quality of life concerns that have emerged rapidly in this rural region which are currently being dealt with.

Essentially, these ramifications that have arisen into plain view are a first in the county, and historically, there are very few local benchmarks to revisit or refer to in our area from which to springboard plans to circumvent and prevent harbingers of increasing issues that are likely to come later. Preventative measures and response efforts become all the more challenging when you are essentially starting from scratch, and simultaneously, the industry is rapidly progressing ahead.

It has been widely reported that officials are taking full advantage of the many resources available from different areas of the country, by tapping into the knowledge and experience of others who have experienced oil and gas activity before us and applying some of that useful information here.

Modern energy exploration and production is virtually uncharted territory in the "Endless Mountains" of Northeastern Pennsylvania, our home; and day to day, the job is getting done effectively by the cooperating partners: the people, the energy companies and the government one step at a time.

Monday: Frac-truck safety and security.

Robert A. Young of Rome, PA is a free-lance writer and former police investigator and instructor. He has served in various safety and security operations and maintains a blog on: GOMARCELLUSSHALE.COM.