PITTSBURGH — The Department of Environmental Protection announced today that it is acting immediately to plug an abandoned oil well that is releasing natural gas into the air near a residential neighborhood in Moon Township, Allegheny County…. DEP began receiving numerous odor complaints from residents beginning Feb. 6 and a subsequent inspection showed that a hole had been eroded into the casing, allowing the release of pressurized gas.
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=9320&typeid=1
The next article also brings up the question of well casings and how safe they are long term.
DEP Orders Company to Restore Water Supplies at Two Homes in McKean County
February 26, 2010 at 4:48 AM by Gant Team
MEADVILLE — The Department of Environmental Protection has ordered Schreiner Oil and Gas Co. to provide a permanent solution to water supply issues at two homes the company’s drilling activity impacted near Hedgehog Lane, McKean County.
DEP previously determined that the company, based in Massillon, Ohio, was liable for affecting the water supplies of homes in that area of Bradford Township. Water supplies at seven homes have been restored, but the problem remains unresolved at two other residences.
“The families in this neighborhood have had their lives disrupted for too long,” DEP Regional Director Kelly Burch said. “While Schreiner had installed treatment systems at these two homes, they were only a partial solution. The order calls on Schreiner to rectify the situation completely.”
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