Edgeworth Tackles Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling

Marcellus Shale drilling has raised plenty of concerns in municipalities across Pennsylvania when it comes to the public health and environmental risks involved.

is no different.

Council on Tuesday night approved the advertisement of an ordinance that would regulate natural gas drilling in the borough.

The Marcellus Shale is a rock formation that underlies much of Pennsylvania and portions of New York and West Virginia at a depth of 5,000 to 8,000 feet, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

It is believed to hold trillions of cubic feet of natural gas that could help supply U.S. demand. Extracting the gas involves horizontal drilling that requires large amounts of water mixed with sand and other proponents to “fracture” the shale under high pressure so the natural gas can flow freely.

Advocacy groups say the drilling is safe, but opponents have expressed concerns about contaminated water and the potential for gas explosions and other such catastrophes.

Edgeworth Manager Marty McDaniel said the borough has received several calls from industry officials who are looking to obtain a copy of Edgeworth’s drilling guidelines. The inquiries prompted concerns  because borough doesn’t have rules.

“It’s a good ordinance,” said Councilman David Aloe, who has experience with drilling on property he owns.

Aloe said council is concerned about conserving the borough’s natural resources and the water table.

“With this ordinance, specific areas are allocated for drilling,” Aloe said.

The ordinance, developed by Solicitor Phil Weis, would make gas well drilling a special exception to zoning regulations.  It will be permitted only in the commercial area along Ohio River Boulevard.

The committee and planning commission wanted to assure that no drilling would take place in Edgeworth’s mostly residential neighborhoods because of the noise involved, McDaniel said.

No drilling can take place in Edgeworth unless council approves it.

“You have to have a place for it. If you don’t have a place for it, they can do it anywhere,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said there isn’t really a place in the borough for drilling that is feasible.  As an example, he mentioned one property that has 40 to 60 acres but is so steep the land wouldn't be adequate for the deep, horizontal drilling involved in the Marcellus Shale extraction operation. 

Council will vote to approve the ordinance in February.