Range Resources: Let's Set the Bar Higher

A Range Resources official told supervisors Monday he couldn't understate how "highly problematic" it would be if they opted to change drilling from a permitted use to a conditional use -- something the board has been mulling.

"We think it works well," Ken Komoroski, legal counsel for Range, said regarding the township's current ordinance. "What's best about the permitted-use process is that it's predictable."

He then reiterated: It's not that the company doesn't want to address concerns of residents and supervisors. Komoroski said Range Resources would just like to take care of all possible issues up front.

Komoroski said the conditional use process is costly for the company, because a delay locally affects resources and plans regionally, too.

That said, he indicated that Range wanted to work with the township to "set the bar higher" without changing it from the current permitted-use process.

Komoroski then distributed a three-page, 15-point document that set forth its suggestions for extra provisions they said would make it a "model ordinance."

Among other things, the document suggests:

• The model ordinance include "specific and distinct" conditions for oil and gas well locations and additional conditions for centralized impoundments for fresh water, as well as centralized impoundments for the storage of recycled water.
• The model ordinance will also include language that would mandate more notification be given to the township and residents before construction could begin on a well pad. Information to be submitted to the township would include contact information for the operator, the names of roads that will be used for loads of heavy equipment, proof of a roadway maintenance and repair agreement with the township, and notice of availability for a training course for township emergency responders (provided at no cost).
• Before drilling the first well at a well pad, Range also suggests that a presentation/public meeting be held for all township residents, and then another meeting will be held specifically for residents who live within a half-mile from the site. Those residents will be given a description of the project, as well as an opportunity to ask questions. Contact information for the driller will also be given to these residents.
• The model ordinance would also call for a temporary supervisor and work crew trailers at a well location.

That last recommendation caused a brief back-and-forth between board Chairman Mike Debbis and Komoroski.

Debbis said a separate ordinance stipulates that such bunk housing was not permitted in the township -- and that the board was not inclined to change it.

"I'm gonna tell you we're not going to bury that," he told Komoroski, who asked that the board keep an open mind to suggestions it asked the company to submit.

When Debbis said supervisors were open to suggestions, the attorney took exception to the statement.

"That sounded like a 'hell no' to me,' Komoroski said.

"It might be a 'hell no' later," Debbis retorted, adding that if Range Resources had any employees living at any of the current drill sites in the township "you're going to be changing your ways."

While supervisors Andy Schrader and Frank Ludwin asked questions about set backs and road concerns, Debbis and Komoroski verbally sparred again toward the end of Range's presentation.

Debbis referred to a recent news story that reported about the chemicals that are stored on site when hydraulic fracturing is underway -- and that some companies had been accused of injecting substances such as diesel into the ground during he process.

Komoroski said the report was inaccurate and that the information was taken out of context -- something he said the media does often regarding industry news.

After accusing Debbis of reading the headlines and not the information, he then asked another Range Resources employee to unveil an over-sized, wrapped presentation board and place it on an easel in front of the board.

Range's presentation was a mock front page of a faux newspaper called The Cecil Times, with a banner headline reading, "DEP Says Air Near Marcellus Drilling Sites is Safe."

"This is a headline you didn't hear anywhere in the country," the attorney said, referring to a report by the state department that indicated that studied suggested that air tests near compressor stations showed no emission levels that would cause health concerns to nearby residents.

Komoroski then thanked the board -- telling them that the presentation was the result of more than six months of effort.

Supervisors thanked Range for the information, and set up a public meeting for 7 p.m. Feb. 17. The purpose of the meeting is to allow residents to ask Range questions about concerns they might have about drilling in the community.

It was unclear when a decision would be made regarding any possible ordinance change.