A group of parents in the Mars Area School District joined together on March 4th, 2014 to research unconventional gas drilling (fracking) and the consequences of a proposal for subsurface drilling under school property and a proposal for a 6 well site .52 miles from the school campus (3,200 children).
Based on our research of the industry, we petitioned the school board to reject the proposal from Rex Energy. In 3 short days, we were able to gather 900 signatures asking the school board to reject the subsurface drilling proposal. On March 11th, they indeed did unanimously vote to reject the proposal. Despite the rejection, Rex Energy continued to pursue permits for the Geyer site .52 miles away from the schools. A few months later at the DEP Act 13 Section 3251 Conference on July 15, 2014, Rex affirmed that it would cost too much money to move the well site and they believe there is no risk to the children or community. We responded unequivocally that our children do not have a price tag associated with their health and safety, and there is indeed risk with this heavy volatile industry.
We continue our research and discuss our findings with the drilling industry, school board, school administration, local municipalities (Middlesex-proposed site of well and Adams-location of school district), local and state DEP officials, local and state legislators, local and county law enforcement, local and county first responders, local and state attorneys, and the citizens of all relevant townships. We continue to incur significant resistance to our efforts and have come to the understanding that a significant portion of our school administrators and our local and state government and our neighbors have commitments and direct financial relationships with the oil and gas industry. Local officials are making sweeping changes to allow more land in the community to be fracked and have compressor stations, and again, those same officials work for or with the oil and gas industry. We have concluded that an objective unbiased decision maker who is willing to respect our research is scarcely available in our region.
On September 12, 2014 the NW PA DEP approved the permits to allow Rex to drill at the Geyer site. All the research and discussions about health and safety for our children have been ignored. The Geyers, Rex Energy, the DEP, state lawmakers, and local officials just put the Mars Area School District children within a known unhealthy environment and a known evacuation zone.
Despite the odds not in our favor, we have continued on with greater determination to protect our children and eliminate the risks that unconventional gas drilling industry brings. New research continues to be published. Physicians and scientists are urging caution. The only way to eliminate the risk at this time is to stop unconventional gas drilling near schools.
We share common ideas with other organizations that strive to protect our children and their future. We continue the discussion with all parties mentioned as this issue is of paramount importance to our children and all the children across the state and country. Communities need unbiased educated leaders to protect our children. Our neighbors need to be involved.
Join us and speak up! Now is the time to act!
Based on our research of the industry, we petitioned the school board to reject the proposal from Rex Energy. In 3 short days, we were able to gather 900 signatures asking the school board to reject the subsurface drilling proposal. On March 11th, they indeed did unanimously vote to reject the proposal. Despite the rejection, Rex Energy continued to pursue permits for the Geyer site .52 miles away from the schools. A few months later at the DEP Act 13 Section 3251 Conference on July 15, 2014, Rex affirmed that it would cost too much money to move the well site and they believe there is no risk to the children or community. We responded unequivocally that our children do not have a price tag associated with their health and safety, and there is indeed risk with this heavy volatile industry.
We continue our research and discuss our findings with the drilling industry, school board, school administration, local municipalities (Middlesex-proposed site of well and Adams-location of school district), local and state DEP officials, local and state legislators, local and county law enforcement, local and county first responders, local and state attorneys, and the citizens of all relevant townships. We continue to incur significant resistance to our efforts and have come to the understanding that a significant portion of our school administrators and our local and state government and our neighbors have commitments and direct financial relationships with the oil and gas industry. Local officials are making sweeping changes to allow more land in the community to be fracked and have compressor stations, and again, those same officials work for or with the oil and gas industry. We have concluded that an objective unbiased decision maker who is willing to respect our research is scarcely available in our region.
On September 12, 2014 the NW PA DEP approved the permits to allow Rex to drill at the Geyer site. All the research and discussions about health and safety for our children have been ignored. The Geyers, Rex Energy, the DEP, state lawmakers, and local officials just put the Mars Area School District children within a known unhealthy environment and a known evacuation zone.
Despite the odds not in our favor, we have continued on with greater determination to protect our children and eliminate the risks that unconventional gas drilling industry brings. New research continues to be published. Physicians and scientists are urging caution. The only way to eliminate the risk at this time is to stop unconventional gas drilling near schools.
We share common ideas with other organizations that strive to protect our children and their future. We continue the discussion with all parties mentioned as this issue is of paramount importance to our children and all the children across the state and country. Communities need unbiased educated leaders to protect our children. Our neighbors need to be involved.
Join us and speak up! Now is the time to act!