The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

State News

October 20, 2011

Air tests show no problems near West Virginia gas wells

Associated Press

MORGANTOWN — Environmental regulators say initial air tests near a Marcellus shale gas well in Morgantown showed no problems.

The tests were sought by residents concerned about air quality near schools surrounding the Northeast Natural Energy operation.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 spokesman Roy Seneca says three tests were performed at SkyView Elementary School. Two were done before hydraulic fracking operations began and the third was done during fracking earlier this month.

Seneca tells The Dominion Post the basic results of the third set of tests didn’t identify any levels of concern or air problems. He says those were sent to a laboratory for additional testing and officials are awaiting the results. 

“We are not surprised by the good results,” said Northeast President Michael John.

Barry Pallay, vice president of the Upper Monongahela River Association, was among those who helped persuade the state Department of Environmental Protection to request the testing. The results have their limitations, stemming from wind direction and precipitation, he said.

“What we can say is under those conditions during that particular time, that’s what they measured,” Pallay said. “We’re pleased there were no exposures in the school at those times.”

Pallay said tests under different wind and weather conditions might yield different results. He would like to see continuous monitoring so the community could be alerted to possible hazards.

The company began fracking two wells last month but a mechanical problem last week temporarily stopped them.

The wells have been targeted for protests by environmental groups and residents. Some worry about possible pollution from a site that’s less than a mile from a drinking water intake.

Morgantown City Council had passed a drilling ban this summer but it was later overturned in court.

The City Council has put the drilling issue on a committee’s Oct. 25 agenda, although no official action is taken at those meetings.

 

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