Senate Holds Marcelllus Shale Hearing

The State Senate Majority Policy Committee held a hearing Wednesday about how drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation has affected Pennsylvania communities within the last few years, and what more needs to be done.

Sandy Thompson from the McKean County Conservation District said they are trying to better understand the impacts of drillling on streams in the county by establishing a real-time water quality monitoring system in the Potato Creek Watershed and they hope to expand the system to other parts of the county.

Thompson also said the state has cut funding to conservation districts by 25 percent over the last few years, at the same time drilling activity is increasing.

She said that as of January 5, 66 Marcellus Shale wells have been permitted and 24 have been drilled.

Photo provided by Senate Republican Communications