Interest in gas leases, drilling, troubles officials
By JIM RUNKLE - jrunkle@lockhaven.comArticle Photos
The discussion was sparked in part by some concerns that have been raised in recent months about gas leases and gas drilling in Clinton County, particularly in the Halls Run area in South Renovo.
The concern was sufficient enough for South Renovo consulting engineer, Kerry A. Uhler, to address a letter of concern to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources last month.
In that letter, Uhler suggests a gas lease that has been proposed would allow horizontal directional drilling adjacent to and beneath the Halls Run watershed.
”This proposal is of great concern to us and we would like to request no such lease be issued until such time as we have worked with the state and established guidelines and protocol which assure the protection of the watershed,” Uhler wrote.
The situation is complicated in our area by the presence of the Tamarack storage fields, which provide high-value underground storage and a transfer area for natural gas, much of which is forwarded to New York City, he said.
Planning Commission member Tom Campbell, who resides in the Renovo area, said he knows of three major energy companies that are actively operating in our area.
“The amount of leases are going up along with the price,” County Planner Tim Holladay said. “Five years ago, the lease was $150 an acre and today, you’ll get $1,500 an acre if you have the right property.”
Board members suggested the commission begin an investigation into how the state and federal energy policies might impact our area, and what controls might be in place to insure the environment is protected.
The board also will contact DCNR to see what information can be obtained about local drilling sites on public lands and what policies are being used in issuing or selling those drilling permits.
