ENERGY
& RESOURCES AD HOC COMMITTEE
March 22, 2010
** NOT APPROVED **
Committee Members Present
K. LaForge, F.
Sinclair, G. Benson
Others Present
C. Crandall, J.
Margeson, M. Alger, D. Fanton, T. Hopkins, M. Healy, P. Curren, J. Foels, and S.
Grugel
Energy &
Resources Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Kevin LaForge
called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m.
Coudersport Gas Expo
Chairman LaForge
gave on overview of the Expo and stated it was well attended and
successful. Legislator Fanton spoke on
the Water Seminar which he attended. Penn State
will send a resource person to meet with the county, but the county has to pay
their mileage. He explained about
concerns pre and post drilling when drilling is near a water source, especially
springs. The ground banging associated
with drilling does affect springs and landowners need to be aware to protect
their water source. A third party or
independent firm should be involved for water testing
pre and post drilling as well. Water is
disbursed in three stages:
1.
First third of
water is pre-usable with no contaminations
2.
Second third
needs treatment for sediment
3.
Last third is
processed and can remove contaminants, however not salt.
Saline affects the
water downstream and there are issues with getting contaminated water processed. He stated although the seminar was not
“anti-drilling” they stressed the importance of landowners being informed that
their water source could be affected and there needs to be a system to process
contaminants so it’s not harmful to tributaries creating an environmental
concern.
Environmental Concerns
There was
discussion regarding radiation, which is short-lived. Our area has a higher level of radiation than
Pennsylvania. Legislator Sinclair reported radiation has
different levels of radio-nuclei with four days for radon. There is a large demand for water supply and
the construction of ponds is favorable in a drilling area to avoid extracting
from local streams. DEC permits are
required for ponds over a million and a half gallons, and some ponds may be
restricted based on acreage. A three
million gallon pond against a berm would need a permit. The question was asked if Soil & Water
Conservation can provide services in this area and they no longer do.
Landowner Education
McKean County is starting to lease property and attorneys are
finding unscrupulous activity. It is
imperative that landowner education is provided and they are finding that there
is strength in numbers with landowners banding together as a group. Legislative Chairman Crandall reported on a
program he saw on WNN News, out of Binghamton,
where they have a very pro-active group of landowners and possibly we could
reach out and touch base with this group.
Sherry Grugel also mentioned that IOGA is a great source for information
as well. Chairman Crandall stressed the
need to provide our citizens with accurate information and they get good legal
advice and have contracts checked before signing. Legislator Benson reported that there are
large amounts of acreage leased and sold, unbeknownst to some landowners. An owner of the mineral rights is not always
disclosed on your deed and landowners need to be aware. Citizens can inquire at the County Clerk’s
office to get a copy of their deed for a minimal fee. Chairman LaForge mentioned land agents will
first research land to be sure landowner does actually own the mineral rights. In New
York State,
mineral rights can be separated from property rights and deeds should but don’t
always reflect this. If you own your
minerals rights, that doesn’t necessarily mean you own the “leasing”
rights. Mineral rights differ with depth
and determining depth can involve the DEC.
Committee agrees public education is a priority and possibly look into
sponsoring an education forum. Chairman
LaForge suggested guest speakers for future meetings. Legislator Healy also suggested a
representative from New York
State and get information
from entities not locally involved.
Workforce Development
Chairman LaForge
reported on an article in the paper where the high school in Bradford, PA
is starting a program in education for gas drilling jobs. He suggested the possibility of BOCES
starting one here. Legislator Sinclair
also has some “plug-in” programs he can provide as well. He suggested we combine our information and
give to the Employment & Training Office to be compiled together as an
information packet. Sherry Grugel said that
this should fall under the “In Demand Occupation” program E&T offers and
they should be able to provide training.
Legislator Sinclair will schedule a meeting with Gerry Garmong, Director
of Employment & Training.
Local Vendor Opportunities
This category was
covered at the Expo and a great deal of information was provided. (Brochure attached.)
County and Local Government Roles
There was
discussion about the protection of transportation infrastructure and the roles
towns and villages play. Legislator
Fanton stated that many local towns have already incorporated local laws and
posted roads and bridges. Most towns are very pro-active and the Town of
Willing is already discussing. If
roadways are not posted “by permit” then it can be protested
and equipment over 8 tons, especially logging trucks, need a permit. Milk trucks do not require permits. The conditions of a permit cover damage
repair. There may need to be additional
resolutions for bonding of roadways.
Support Resolution
Chairman LaForge
presented a draft resolution for review to petition the Governor to expedite
through his Executive Branch Agency, the NYSDEC, the final promulgation of
regulations for natural gas drilling and most specifically hydro fracturing
related to the same. After discussion it
was addressed that former Legislator, William Dibble,
had previously drafted a resolution last year regarding the same concern. A copy of Resolution 06-09 was disbursed to
members for review. There was discussion
regarding the Environmental Review process which has not been completed. Benson commented that if we can get the DEC
to open it up, there will be no problem getting people on board.
Chairman LaForge
questioned if this resolution could be re-visited off the floor at today’s
Legislative Board Meeting. Upon consultation with County Administrator
John Margeson and the County
Attorney it was
determined that Resolution 06-09 could be re-visited off the floor today and
memorialized. Referred to Ways & Means Committee
Wind Energy
Chairman Crandall
reported that at such time New York State indicates freeing up funds for wind energy, Allegany County will move forward. There should be a window of time,
approximately six months, to do the necessary public relations and hold
multiple monthly meetings if necessary.
If and when it comes will be the time to present facts and educate the
county residents. There is not as much
involvement with the land process for wind versus drilling. With wind energy, the concern is only who
owns the “surface” land. Respected
agencies and information specialists should provide on-going education to
residents.
Adjournment
The next meeting
will be Monday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. There being no further business to come
before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Sinclair, seconded by
Legislator Benson and carried to adjourn the meeting at 12:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathleen L.
Whitfield, Recording Secretary
Confidential
Secretary to the Director of Development