COMMENTARY |The fight over fracking is heating up again in a few Pennsylvania counties. A group recently filed a lawsuit in federal court over emissions being produced from a fracking site. The group that filed the suit, Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, is calling foul on the Houston-based company Ultra Resources Incorporated for violating the U.S. Clean Air Act and Pennsylvania emission standards.
Ironically, the suit was filed close to the same time another group, The National Resource Defense Council, named Pennsylvania as the second worst state in the country with regards to air pollution from power plants.
Of course, the lawsuit raises a few questions:
Exactly what are Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future concerns?
The focus of the lawsuit claims that Ultra Resources has and is violating state and national pollution laws at a few Marcellus Shale drilling sites in northern Pennsylvania. The group claims in the suit that a group of Ultra's drilling stations, compressor sites, and pipelines are connected and producing enough air pollution, namely nitrogen oxide, to need a special permit and are the emissions are creating hazards for anyone living in the area.
Who are Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future?
Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, or PennFuture, is an environmental advocacy group. According their website the group "works to create a future where nature, communities, and the economy thrive." Basically, the group is trying to protect watersheds and other natural resources from harm. Since many fracking locations for the Marcellus Shale region happen to be in wide open spaces, many drilling companies fall directly into the crosshairs of the organization.
Is fracking stopped?
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has not ceased in any location as of yet due to the lawsuit. However, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ultra holds around a quarter of a million acres of land in the Marcellus Shale region with the chance to drill around 2000 natural gas wells.
What does Ultra Resources have to say?
As of Friday morning, Ultra Resources Inc., had not been officially presented with the lawsuit, and therefore cannot yet make a comment. However, once official notification has been received, Ultra may issue a statement; however, it is unclear whether they will do so.
Is there a timeline for the suit?
The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg; however, no official timeline or information on the timing of the suit has yet been made available. More details should emerge once both parties have an opportunity to examine the suit and a hearing date is set.
Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional and long time Pennsylvania resident. These experiences give him a first-hand look at developing situations in the state and everything included in the travel industry from technology to trends.
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