Washington County Family Settles Lawsuit Over Marcellus Shale
Drilling
Outspoken critics of gas drilling said effects on water, air harmed
children and property value
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
25 August 2011
By Don Hopey and David Templeton
A Washington County family has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging
their health was harmed by air pollution and water contamination from
Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations adjacent to their 10-acre farm
in Mount Pleasant Township.
The settlement of the civil action against Range Resources, Mark West
Energy Partners and Williams Gas/Laurel Mountain Midstream Partners was
sealed by Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Pozonsky and
contains a gag order on the Hallowich family.
It was finalized in a private, 15-minute meeting held Tuesday morning
in the judge's chambers at the Washington County Courthouse. No details
of the settlement were released by the court or the participating
parties and the case file has been "sealed indefinitely in its
entirety" by the judge.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette objected to the closed-door settlement
proceeding and its objection was entered into the case record,
according to the judge's law clerk.
Stephanie and Chris Hallowich, who in recent years have become vocal
critics of the Marcellus Shale drilling industry while insisting they
support responsible development of the unconventional shale gas
resource, bought their farm in 2005, unknowingly inheriting a gas lease
with Range that had been signed by the previous owners.
Soon after the Hallowiches built their house in 2007, four Marcellus
gas wells, access roads, a gas processing facility, compressor stations
and a 3-acre holding pond were installed on properties bordering
theirs. Because of the noise, lights and emissions from those
industrial facilities, Ms. Hallowich has said their house and property
are worthless.
Over the next few years, the Hallowiches complained that their well
water supply had been contaminated and that their two children, Nathan
and Allison, had been exposed to volatile organic compounds from the
drilling operations in the water and air.
Ms. Hallowich, who gave numerous print and video interviews during that
period, said in those reports that water tests found ethylbenzene,
toluene, styrene and tetrachloroethylene -- all cancer-causing organic
compounds. She said the air and water contaminants caused them to
experience burning eyes, sore throats, headaches and earaches. They've
had to pay about $500 a month to have water delivered to the farm.
Ms. Hallowich has been a vocal critic of the drilling industry, but on
Tuesday as she left the judge's chambers with her husband and children
and their attorney, Peter Villari, she said she was sorry but couldn't
comment.
James Swetz, of the K&L Gates law firm representing Range
Resources, declined to comment on the case, the settlement or how many
confidential settlements the drilling company has entered into with
landowners affected by its Marcellus Shale gas well facilities.
Phone messages left at Range Resources and Mark West requesting comment
were not returned.
Don Hopey: dhopey@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1983.