Driller Addresses Local Concerns Over Danger

Traffic issues are also eyed

Wheeling Intelligencer
19 November 2010
By Casey Junkins

NEW MARTINSVILLE - From gas well fires to traffic accidents, there are many documented risks associated with Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

To help address community concerns, Chesapeake Energy - the most active driller in Wetzel County and all of the Northern Panhandle - worked with local residents to establish the Chesapeake Wetzel County Community Advisory Panel. The group of about 30 members representing government, business, emergency services, and other interested parties met Thursday in New Martinsville.

"We are here to allow for communication between the company and the community," said group consultant Jennifer Goddard of Ann Green Communications Inc.

During the meeting, Chesapeake spokeswoman Amy Dobkin listened as panel members - along with Wetzel County Action Group member Bill Hughes - expressed their views on a variety of topics.

Following the meeting, Dobkin referred all questions regarding the session to Chesapeake Director of Corporate Development Stacey Brodak.

"Chesapeake Appalachia LLC is committed to being a good neighbor and a major factor in accomplishing that is an open line of communication with those who live near our drilling activity," Brodak wrote via e-mail in reference to the local subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy. "We sought out specialists, Ann Green Communications, a third party meeting facilitator, to establish a Community Advisory Panel."

"The (panel) has served us well and we believe the members would agree that a great deal of information is exchanged at the meetings. Over time, the members gain vast knowledge and insight in the natural gas industry. We hope to learn from the members of the (panel) different ways they believe we can improve and positively impact the community and its residents," Brodak added.

On Tuesday, a flatbed truck carrying a gas rig destined for a Chesapeake drilling site lost control while traveling on Cameron Ridge, heading off the side of the road.

Concerns such as this were paramount Thursday to group member Rose Baker.

Baker said last winter, volunteer firefighters from various Wetzel County departments were called out to several traffic accidents involving Chesapeake trucks and equipment. However, she said the firefighters were only assigned to direct traffic.

"These guys are volunteers and have jobs to go to," she said.

Dobkin told Baker Chesapeake would look into the matter to see if a solution could be found.

Currently, Chesapeake is planning to drill for gas on property located near The Highlands in Ohio County, while the company is still awaiting permission from the state office of oil and gas to drill in Oglebay Park. The Oklahoma City-based firm also has active operations throughout Marshall County.

Goddard said the group's December meeting is a special "group appreciation dinner," so the next regular meeting will take place some time in January at a time and location to be announced.