CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

With fuel costs rising, the search for alternative fuel sources is on, and East Resources, Inc. of Warrendale, Pa. is looking for gas and oil fields in southern Allegany and Steuben counties,. However, it is asking for a change in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s current regulations pertaining to drilling.

The variance the company is asking for concerns setback regulations for drilling near the boundaries of established fields. Currently 660 feet is required. It also concerns setback from other oil or gas wells which are in the same pool. Currently 1,320 feet is required. East Resources has proposed a boundary setback of 150 feet and 350 feet from other wells.

The land in question has been sectioned into 40-acre grid plots as required. It stretches from the Beech Hill-Independence Field to north of the New York and Pennsylvania border in Cryder Creek No. 9, or from the western part of the Town of Willing, parts of the Town of Independence into and including parts of West Union. Independence Town Clerk Cindy Clark has the map of the plotted sites included in East Resources’ plan posted on the wall of the Town Hall, and information is available in her office. At 7 p.m. Monday there is a special informational meeting for the public with the Independence Town Board at the Town Hall.

Letters concerning a hearing, to take place at 1 p.m. July 15 at Whitesville Central School, were sent to more than 500 landowners. Immediately following the hearing there will be a pre-adjudicatory hearing issues conference. The conference will be to determine, narrow, and resolve, if possible, the proposed issues for adjudication which will continue at 9 a.m. the next day in the same location. Afterwards a law judge will make a determination unless further adjudication is required.

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