Townships Receive Letter

It wasn’t but a few months ago that residents of Crescent and Moon townships were discussing where Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock.ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is one of the most highly productive types of sedimentary rock whose density provides tight stores forhydrocarbon reserves below. Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. running through about two-thirds of Pennsylvania, and areas of New York and West Virginia. Geologists estimate that there is a large enough natural gas reserve within the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. to power the United States for one to eight years. drilling would take place if drilling were to take place in the area.

Now, it appears this may happen sooner than the residents expected.  Residents in Crescent and Moon received letters from the Cresswell Heights Joint Authority notifying them that Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock.ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is one of the most highly productive types of sedimentary rock whose density provides tight stores forhydrocarbon reserves below. Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. running through about two-thirds of Pennsylvania, and areas of New York and West Virginia. Geologists estimate that there is a large enough natural gas reserve within the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. to power the United States for one to eight years. drilling might soon be taking place on the grounds of the closed Phillips Power Plant.  The letter was mailed to the authority’s 15,000 customers in Crescent, South Heights, Hopewell, and Moon Township.

“It’s preliminary, but we have received notification that the property owner would like to drill,” says Authority Manager, Dan Losco.  The owners have expressed interest in drilling at the site.

The letter was sent to advise owners that under the current law, the Cresswell Heights Joint Authority has no authority to prevent the drilling from happening.  Duquesne Light owns the power plant in conjunction with another Pennsylvania resident.  Duquesne Light was questioned regarding the letter and could not be reached for comment.

The community has some concerns regarding the possible effect on the water wells the authority owns close to the power plant.  If contaminated, it could affect approximately 15,000 customers.  While no direct evidence supports water contamination and drilling are associated, many believe it could have an effect.