CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

The response is similar that of company CEO Aubrey K. McClendon’s comment in a two-page letter dated Feb. 2 to U.S. Rep. Eric Massa, D-Corning.

In the letter, McClendon explains that new technology in treating wastewater from mining “greatly reduce(s) our need for disposal facilities.”

“As a result, we are no longer actively pushing for resolution of our local permit request,” McClendon writes, in reference to state and federal permits required to open a wastewater dump.

However, a few paragraphs later in the letter, McClendon writes, “While we remain confident that these technological practices will eliminate the need for the injection well permit, it is premature for us to pull the application at this time ... Please understand that the deep injection program is managed by the EPA, and is employed in every state, and is one of EPA’s most successful and safest waste management programs.”

Plans by Chesapeake to locate an underground wastewater dump within a mile of Keuka Lake have created an uproar in the town and throughout many local communities that border the deep, freshwater lake. An informational meeting Sunday drew more than 500, most of whom are against the plan.

Town Supervisor William Weber did not respond to Leader requests for comment Thursday.

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