STATE ENVIRONMENTAL HEARING BOARD APPROVES PERMIT RENEWALS FOR TWO PROPOSED MARCELLUS SHALE GAS WELLS IN TRAFFORD

The State Environmental Hearing Board has approved permit renewals for two proposed Marcellus Shale gas wells to be located in Trafford.  The Trib reports that the ruling against the Non-profit Protect PT’s objections to the pad, saying that the evidence on record did not establish that there were unsafe distances from the Drakulic site that would hamper the public’s health.  The wells, which have yet to be developed, will be located along First Street near Penn Township’s border with Trafford. The site is tucked in among housing developments, and about 3,000 people live within 1 mile of the property, according to Environmental Hearing Board documents.  The board imposed on CNX a series of new requirements aimed at mitigating the Drakulic well pad’s impact on nearby residents, saying they must monitor air, noise and groundwater impacts and maintain walls to dampen sound pollution, among other items.