Rice sues West Pike Run to expand compressor station
Friday, January 20, 2017
A Rice Energy subsidiary has sued West Pike Run Township in Washington County Court in an effort to gain approval to expand a Marcellus compressor station, according to the Observer-Reporter.
Rice Poseidon Midstream of Southpointe filed a lawsuit to request that the court direct the township to issue a zoning permit for the expansion of its Blue Moon Station on Babich Farm. Rice filed the suit, claiming the township should have acted on the company’s request by now under state law.
Additionally, the lawsuit asked the court to require West Pike Run to approve its land-development application sans conditions.
Learn more: Observer-Reporter > Rice sues West Pike Run to expand Marcellus compressor station
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.