Many West Deer residents are calling for more stringent regulations on gas drilling

Ron Zielinski doesn’t want a gas well anywhere near his West Deer home.

“I strongly oppose it because of the problems we could face in the future,” said the Bryson Road resident, who recently led a parade of residents complaining to supervisors about proposed changes to the township’s gas well regulations.

With 75 residents speaking out on the issue in person and 500 signatures on a petition to make regulations more restrictive, West Deer officials are taking another look at the proposed changes.

At the heart of the matter is a proposal to allow gas well drilling in residential areas at least 750 feet from homes.

Residents say that’s too close and are calling for the setback to be pushed to at least 1,250 feet — or even out of residential areas altogether.

Supervisors plan to hold another public hearing on the matter next month, after the proposal failed to garner support at their last meeting. A date has not yet been set.

Jack Rearick was among those lobbying supervisors to tighten regulations in the township, saying it is the most important vote the board might ever make.

“These changes should be a concern for all of you since it would allow gas wells all over the township,” said Rearick, who lives on Corbriwood Lane.

Most of the residents who made their pitches said they don’t want gas wells near their homes.

The group submitted a petition with more than 500 names, asking for gas wells to be removed from residential zoning sections, Marcia Brissett said.

“This is not whimsical,” she said. “We want this to be done safely, and we are hopeful.”

Yvonne Hutchinson of Bairdford Road cited a University of Pittsburgh study that recommends a 2,500-foot setback.

“I see no provisions for penalties or compensation if anything goes wrong,” Hutchison said. “We owe our children a clean environment so that they can thrive. The residents of West Deer are worthy of better protections.”

Other concerns from residents include excessive noise, potential pollution of water wells and health impacts from drilling fumes.

Some who spoke at the most recent meeting asked the board how the township benefits.

“What is the township getting out of this?” one resident asked. “Is it millions? Is it billions? Does anybody know?”

Robert Arlo of Woodhall Drive asked why the board would “vote for this for a handful of people who would benefit?”

Two of those people, David Harrison and John Lambert, both of Middle Road Extension, drew negative reactions from the crowd when they spoke, prompting supervisors Chairwoman Beverly Jordan to ask them to stop.

“Those residents have rights, too. We don’t have mob rule,” said Harrison, who added he has a lease for his property with a gas company. “There are people in the township who have mineral rights, and they should be entitled to them.”

Lambert accused the drilling opponents of standing in the way of progress.

“I want to see progress made, but in a safe way,” he said.

Solicitor Gavin Robb cautioned supervisors about making changes to the proposal, saying that referring the ordinance back to the township planning commission could restart the whole process.

“The planning commission has had it for four or five years, basically, in the form it is now,” Robb said.

Supervisor James Smullin said he thinks the ordinance is close, but needs to be tightened up.

On the other hand, Supervisor Josh Weigand said, “We, as a township, have the right to set our own rules, and I don’t think these are protective enough.”

Some residents questioned the motives of supervisors who favor the current restrictions.

Jordan addressed the crowd, saying she makes no money from the gas companies.

“I’m not involved with drilling. I voted against the Dionysus well,” she said.

“Anybody who thinks (a conflict of interest) is true, please, please file an ethics violation against me so that I can clear my name,” Jordan said. “It may be a good story, but it’s not true.”

For Rearick, the issue is not about fracking but, rather, about health and safety.

“We’re not against drilling,” he said. “We just want to make sure it is done in a safe way.”