A Lack of Knowledge Leaves Us Powerless

In 1597, English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon coined the famous phrase “knowledge is power.” Several incidents from the past month, which have caught the attention of many in the community, bring new meaning to the quote from more than 500 years ago.

On May 1, families living near the Carter wastewater impoundment in Mt. Pleasant Township discovered a large container labeled “radioactive” close to their homes. A state Department of Environmental Protection inspector told residents there had been a spill of radioactive water near “weir tanks,” which were set up next to the impoundment to separate solid particles from the water and chemical mixture used to hydraulically fracture the gas-containing shale. A DEP spokesman later denied that any spill had taken place, and the radioactive material remains in the container at the impoundment site.



Early in the morning of May 14, about 35 residents were evacuated from their homes when an equipment failure at a Range Resources drilling site in Mt. Pleasant Township caused a gas leak. The DEP and Range called it a “precautionary measure.”

On May 27, Range Resources confirmed that Marcellus Shale drilling sludge with radioactivity content too high for normal landfill disposal was being stored at two more sites in Smith Township. Range tried to ship the 12 tons of radioactive sludge to a landfill in West Virginia, but they rejected it as well. A DEP spokesman maintains the radiation, which is more than 26 times greater than background levels, poses a threat to public health. By law, these containers can remain on site for an entire year before Range Resources must dispose of the radioactive waste.



On May 28, lightning struck the MarkWest natural gas processing plant in Chartiers Township, damaging a pipe to a de-ethanizer chamber where ethane is removed from the natural gas. The resulting gas leak led to the evacuation of about 100 residents who lived within a two-mile radius of the plant, an effort that was complicated by flooded roads and power outages from a thunderstorm.



On May 30, it was reported that an undetected leak at the John Day impoundment in Amwell Township, operated by Range Resources, caused much more damage than originally disclosed. Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella called the situation a “minor impact” on the soil that has not affected air or water quality, even though crews have been working for nearly two months to remove more than 10,000 tons of contaminated soil from the site.



These incidents have one disturbing thing in common: In each instance, residents were given little information, no information or misinformation about what was going on. 

The radioactive waste situation only came to light after residents gathered enough information to get the attention of reporters. 

Calling the removal of 10,000 tons of contaminated soil a “minimal impact” is insulting.

During the MarkWest evacuation, people were told they weren’t allowed to know why they were being evacuated from their homes. Officials claimed the fire at the plant was out, yet residents reported seeing flames several hours later. Worst of all, families living near the MarkWest plant had requested to see an evacuation plan months ago and were denied because of “security concerns.” 



Let’s be absolutely clear on this: The people living near the industrial activity created by natural gas drilling have the right to know what is happening when something goes wrong, especially since problems are becoming the rule instead of the exception. 



Being told after the fact that “the safety system did what it was supposed to do” is insulting because it ignores whatever the underlying problem was. When the smoke detectors in your house go off, that’s the safety system doing what it was supposed to do, but it doesn’t explain why your house burned down. Anyone can spot public relations talk from a mile away, and that’s what we’ve been inundated with. It’s unacceptable.

A big part of the problem is the state Department of Environmental Protection, the same DEP that put on a presentation for elected officials in April about how there are no problems and nothing to worry about in the shale industry. 

I don’t know how two evacuations, tons of radioactive waste that no one will take and 10,000 tons of contaminated soil in just one month can be downplayed as the usual “nothing to see here” we get from Tom Corbett’s DEP. 



The people living near these sites aren’t stupid. They know when they are being talked-down to, misled or ignored. As a result, many of them are growing increasingly distrustful and legitimately afraid for their property values and personal safety. 



To be clear: This is not a “drilling vs. anti-drilling” issue. This is a public safety issue. I know people who practically have “drill baby drill” tattooed on their foreheads who are really concerned not only about the growing frequency of problems, but the total lack of information given to the public about what’s going on.



Last time I checked, we don’t live in a totalitarian state. People have the right to information that could provide them with peace of mind and potentially save their lives. Considering the frequency of incidents is clearly trending upward, a basic level of transparency is not too much to ask for. A lack of honest and timely information fosters rumors, which doesn’t benefit anyone. 



People need to speak up by attending meetings, writing letters and contacting elected officials. Journalists need to ask tougher questions instead of accepting carefully worded statements specifically designed to downplay potential negative press. Public officials at all levels need to work together and demand greater accountability. Taking a “let someone else handle it” approach simply won’t work. 

Sir Francis Bacon’s words ring true five centuries later; and if knowledge is indeed power, it’s easy to see why so many people are feeling powerless.