Assume local control of wastewater

by state Rep. Mike Hanna

In response to the April 23 editorial entitled, "Residents, supervisors right to toughen zoning law to deal with drilling," I would like to share my thoughts about Wayne Township's opportunity to set an example in amending its zoning ordinance to regulate wastewater treatment plants for Marcellus Shale drilling.

A recent study projected that 10 percent of the natural gas found in Pennsylvania's share of the Marcellus Shale formation is recoverable -- representing more than twice the amount consumed annually in the United States. 

Below Pennsylvania's surface lies an extraordinary amount of one of the cleanest forms of energy: natural gas. At a time when the Commonwealth is exploring alternative energy production options to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the formation's implications are profound.

However, it is absolutely imperative that we go to great lengths to ensure any and all extraction is carefully regulated. We already know this process requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to cut through the rock during drilling and that the frac or recaptured water must be properly treated to remove road salt and distilled water.

At the state level, the Department of Environmental Protection has retooled its permitting process by dramatically increasing the number of officials involved in regulating the permits. In addition, DEP has implemented a zero-contaminant policy for water treated following the drilling process.

In order to prevent potential environmental damage such as erosion, habitat loss, poor ground and surface water quality, road damage, and increased traffic in areas surrounding drill sites, strict enforcement and additional regulations need to be put in place at the local level.

In Wayne Township, where Rex Energy has requested a permit to use roughly 504,000 gallons of water a day for drilling, there exists an opportunity to assume local control in regulating wastewater treatment. To that end, I believe residents would best be served if Wayne Township's zoning ordinance was amended in order to regulate wastewater treatment plants, as is currently being considered by the township supervisors.

In the foreseeable future, there will be unprecedented efforts to drill Pennsylvania's share of the Marcellus Shale formation. I don’t believe we should or could stop this exploration, but we must regulate it to protect the environment. This will occur in communities throughout the Commonwealth that also will be tasked with determining how to utilize this resource while protecting their quality of life. The opportunity exists in Wayne Township to set a precedent, and I believe we should take advantage of it.

State Rep. Mike Hanna (www.pahouse.com/Hanna) represents the 76th Legislative District in Clinton and Centre counties.