Golubock: NEPA Regulations Could Be 'Devastating' for Area Economy
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Harvey Golubock says new regulations for drilling on the Allegheny National Forest could be devastating for the regional economy.
The president and chief operating officer of American Refining Group commented during a public meeting held by US Forest Service officials Wednesday night, and said the forest service needs to consider the economic and social impact of drilling on the forest, as well as the environmental impact.
He said ARG buys 80 to 85 percent of all the crude oil in Pennsylvania, and 25 percent of that comes from the ANF.
He said the fact that there has been "virtually no drilling" on the forest this year has already had an impact on some companies and will have an impact on the refinery in the next year and the year after that.
Golubock explained that wells in this area produce 50 percent of their product in the first year and the rest is spread out over the next 10 to 20 years.
Limiting drilling even further, he said, "will have a significant impact economically."
"I've spent the last 12 years building this refinery to a sustainable business when it was going to be shut down and torn down," he said, adding that there may have been people in the auditorium who wished the refinery had closed.
"But I can tell you, there are 325 families that are dependent upon this refinery for their livelihood," he said.
"We are an economic force within the region. We pump over half a million dollars a day into the economy by purchases of crude. The effects of what you're planning here could be devastating," Golubock said.
He did say that the people in the industry understand the environmental impacts of drilling on the forest, but they take every step they can to mitigate any environmental problems.
"We're really on the same side," Golubock told Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten, "but you're making it like we're on different sides. We want to comply. We want to do what's right, but you're making it almost impossible for us to do that in a friendly manner."
Earlier in the meeting, Golubock pointed out that drilling takes up only 3 percent of the land in the forest.
Also during the meeting, Marten and district rangers Tony Scardina and Rob Fallon explained the process involved in completing the forest service supplemental environmental impact statement and transition environmental impact statement.
They expect the draft SEIS to be published the week of July 10, at which time the 90-day public comment period begins. Public meetings will be held in mid-July to explain the DSEIS.
Kane resident Chris Stovic asked why maps that will be included with the statements won't include the exact locations of the 588 wells that were given OKs after the settlement was reached between the forest service and several environmental groups.
The settlement stipulates that any further notices to proceed are subject to regulations in the National Environmental Policy Act.
Marten, Scardina and Fallon explained that because the subsurface rights are owned by private individuals – not the forest service – the government doesn't have the right to release that information if the company doesn't want them to.
Bradford resident Joe Martin asked why old power houses, tanks and other equipment is still on the forest years after the companies stopped their operations, and wondered if the current companies will have to clean up after themselves.
Fallon explained that some of the old equipment – specifically near Sugar Bay – has "significant historic value."
WESB/WBRR News Director
Harvey Golubock says new regulations for drilling on the Allegheny National Forest could be devastating for the regional economy.
The president and chief operating officer of American Refining Group commented during a public meeting held by US Forest Service officials Wednesday night, and said the forest service needs to consider the economic and social impact of drilling on the forest, as well as the environmental impact.
He said ARG buys 80 to 85 percent of all the crude oil in Pennsylvania, and 25 percent of that comes from the ANF.
He said the fact that there has been "virtually no drilling" on the forest this year has already had an impact on some companies and will have an impact on the refinery in the next year and the year after that.
Golubock explained that wells in this area produce 50 percent of their product in the first year and the rest is spread out over the next 10 to 20 years.
Limiting drilling even further, he said, "will have a significant impact economically."
"I've spent the last 12 years building this refinery to a sustainable business when it was going to be shut down and torn down," he said, adding that there may have been people in the auditorium who wished the refinery had closed.
"But I can tell you, there are 325 families that are dependent upon this refinery for their livelihood," he said.
"We are an economic force within the region. We pump over half a million dollars a day into the economy by purchases of crude. The effects of what you're planning here could be devastating," Golubock said.
He did say that the people in the industry understand the environmental impacts of drilling on the forest, but they take every step they can to mitigate any environmental problems.
"We're really on the same side," Golubock told Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten, "but you're making it like we're on different sides. We want to comply. We want to do what's right, but you're making it almost impossible for us to do that in a friendly manner."
Earlier in the meeting, Golubock pointed out that drilling takes up only 3 percent of the land in the forest.
Also during the meeting, Marten and district rangers Tony Scardina and Rob Fallon explained the process involved in completing the forest service supplemental environmental impact statement and transition environmental impact statement.They expect the draft SEIS to be published the week of July 10, at which time the 90-day public comment period begins. Public meetings will be held in mid-July to explain the DSEIS.
Kane resident Chris Stovic asked why maps that will be included with the statements won't include the exact locations of the 588 wells that were given OKs after the settlement was reached between the forest service and several environmental groups.
The settlement stipulates that any further notices to proceed are subject to regulations in the National Environmental Policy Act.
Marten, Scardina and Fallon explained that because the subsurface rights are owned by private individuals – not the forest service – the government doesn't have the right to release that information if the company doesn't want them to.
Bradford resident Joe Martin asked why old power houses, tanks and other equipment is still on the forest years after the companies stopped their operations, and wondered if the current companies will have to clean up after themselves.
Fallon explained that some of the old equipment – specifically near Sugar Bay – has "significant historic value."
.jpg)
Comments