Clara Township Officials Have Concerns
Clara Township
566 Clara Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748
814.203.5231
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Northwest Oil and Gas District
230 Chestnut Street
Meadville, PA 16335
Reference: Clara Field #20
August 7, 2023
DEP Officials,
The following questions and comments are in reference to the permit application filed by Roulette Oil and Gas Co., LLC to convert the Clara 20 gas well into an injection well.
Clara Township Officials express deep concern and urgent appeal regarding the permit application for an injection well by Roulette Oil and Gas Company. Clara Township Officials strongly urge the Department to suspend the review of this permit application due to significant non-compliance with Clara Township’s injection well ordinances.
The Policy for Consideration of Local Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Ordinances in DEP reviews of permits for facilities and infrastructure is crucial for ensuring transparency, public participation, and environmental protection (This policy served as the basis for the suspension of review for the Edgar Thomson well site in Allegheny County, demonstrating its critical importance in upholding the rights of local communities).
Roulette Oil and Gas Company’s application falls under multiple categories within Appendix A of this very policy as application types that are affected by the Policy for Consideration of Local Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Ordinances. The Department’s own guidelines acknowledge the relevance of this policy to the current permit application.
Roulette Oil and Gas has not obtained the required local permitting in accordance with Clara Township’s injection well ordinances. Permitting processes at the local level are essential for ensuring community engagement, environmental protection, and safeguarding the well-being of residents in the area. Approving the permit without proper local permitting would directly contravene the Department’s own policy, undermining the principles it stands for and disregarding the concerns of the community and local authorities.
The injection well proposed by Roulette Oil and Gas could have far-reaching consequences for the environment and public health in the region. Any decision made by the Department must take into account the concerns and interests of Clara Township, Pleasant Valley Township, Roulette Township, Potter County and other local communities, as well as adhere to existing policies aimed at preserving the integrity of local comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances.
Clara Township Officials request the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection halt the review of the Roulette Oil and Gas permit application until they have obtained proper local permitting and until the Department ensures that its own policies are being strictly followed.
Clara Township trust that the Department will carefully consider the potential implications of this permit and prioritize the well-being of our community and environment.
Thank you.
v/r
Clara Township Officials
Robert W. Wylie Steven C. Mehl
Clara Township Clara Township
Supervisor Chairman, BOS
Attachments:
Clara Township- Ordinance #8- Injection Wells dtd 2FEB1987.pdf
Clara Township- Amendment to Ordinance #8- Injection Wells dtd 31MAR2023.pdf
Cc: Karen C. Cahilly, Esq
Senator Katie Muth
Senator Chris Dush