City Marcellus Drilling Ban Officially in Place

Byrer only one on council to vote no

Morgantown Dominion Post
22 June 2011
By Tracy Eddy

Marcellus shale drilling is illegal in Morgantown and areas within a mile of the city limits.

During its Tuesday meeting, Morgantown City Council voted, 6-1, to approve a law to ban horizontal drilling and fracturing — or fracking — in Morgantown and up to one mile beyond its borders.

Mayor Bill Byrne and council members Ron Bane, John Gaddis, Jenny Selin, Marti Shamberger and Don Spencer voted for the law. Councilman Charlie Byrer voted against it.

The vote didn’t take place until after midnight. Council spent nearly the first three hours of the meeting taking public comment on the issue and the smoking ban law.

Spencer questioned the length of the public hearing at about 10:30 p.m. City Council has an 11 p.m. curfew when making decisions. Council unanimously voted to suspend the rules and work past curfew.

Byrer said he voted against the ban because he supports the negotiations between the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) and Northeast Natural Energy — the company drilling at the Morgantown Industrial Park. The drilling company agreed to implement extra safeguards at MUB’s request.

He said it’s up to the governor to call a special session so the state legislature can address Marcellus shale drilling and permitting regulations.

Council members also approved minor amendments to the ordinance. Byrer was the lone vote against them.

The law now includes a definition of horizontal drilling and the phrase “horizontal drilling with fracturing” instead of “horizontal drilling and/or fracturing.”

Council chambers overflowed with people and a crowd gathered in the lobby of City Hall to watch the meeting on TV.

Several residents voiced their concerns for Morgantown’s water, air and general quality of life. Wetzel County residents also attended the meeting to talk about their experience with Marcellus shale drilling. Industry representatives spoke about how the industry could do its work responsibly.

Mike John, president of Northeast Natural Energy, said the company wouldn’t be drilling at the industrial park if it didn’t think it could do it safely. He also cited the company’s agreement with MUB and said about $7 million was invested in the two wells, so far.

“We believe it is impossible for an incident to occur that would impact Morgantown’s drinking water,” he said.

Mike McCown, president of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, read City Council a letter from acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, in which the governor requested Morgantown keep its authority within its city limits.

Tomblin’s letter said the Marcellus wells at the Morgantown Industrial Park would be good for the city’s economy. “It sends a negative signal to a business to change the rules after permitting has already been completed,” McCown read.

Larry Schwab, Collins Ferry Road, said the state and federal government don’t have regulations in place to protect residents. “We are looking to you, our elected officials, to protect us.”