PA Environmental Digest

On April 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has tentatively scheduled an online “public conference” May 18 on the proposed Roulette Oil & Gas waste injection well in Clara Township, Potter County from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Barbara Hanes, DEP Oil and Gas Operations, asked opponents of the proposal to confirm their availability by the end of the day April 28 and to send questions or other items to be included on the agenda by May 10.

In the email, Hanes said a link will be made available to anyone who wants to attend, but it makes no mention of how many people will be allowed to speak.

Questions about the public conference should be sent to Hanes at: bhanes@pa.gov.  

On April 18, residents of Clara Township in Potter County and environmental advocates called on DEP to provide them with an opportunity for public engagement in consideration of the proposal.  Read more here.

On April 28, Save Our Streams PA, and Karen Feridun, Better Path Coalition, responded to DEP’s April 27 email by saying–

“The Department describes the public participation process on its website. No mention is made of a conference as an alternative to providing the public an open, inclusive process for engagement.

“We have objected to the use of a conference in place of an appropriate process since it was first suggested by your office. Our objections only intensified when we were asked to submit questions in advance. 

“Our position has not changed.

“Injection wells pose significant threats to communities in proximity of them. They are consequential projects that deserve a robust public participation process. 

“A virtual conference is not a suitable substitute. Do not mistake our refusal to participate in one as acquiescence.”

Background

The agency is currently reviewing an application submitted by Roulette Oil and Gas to convert the Clara 20 well, an active conventional gas well into a Class ll-D injection well in Clara Township.

Nearing the end of the process, a decision to approve or deny the request could be made soon, according to the DEP permitting geologist who is reviewing the application.

If approved, this Class ll-D injection well permit may be the first in the Commonwealth to be authorized in PA through a streamlined process with very limited public scrutiny.

Clara 20 is currently an active gas well with storage tanks nearby. The storage tanks, according to inspection reports, are not properly labeled. Trees are growing through the plastic liner of the containment surrounding the tanks.

Photos of the large trees are attached to Clara 20’s most recent DEP inspection report.

For more information on the application, visit the Save The Allegheny River website.

Visit DEP’s Underground Injection Control Wells webpage for more information on this program.

(Photos: Top- Trees growing through liner around storage tanks, wellhead – DEP inspection photos; Bottom- Clara well site – DEP inspection photo; unlicensed and uninspected truck used to haul drilling wastewater.  This is where hundreds of thousands of gallons of drilling wastewater would be deposed of.) Read more…….

Teva Initiates Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Specific Lots of FENTANYL Buccal Tablets CII Due to a Labeling Error

27 April 2023, Parsippany, NJ. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, has initiated a voluntary nationwide recall of specific lots of various strengths of FENTANYL Buccal Tablets CII to the Consumer Level. Teva USA manufactured and labeled these product lots exclusively for Mayne Pharma Inc. under Mayne’s label. This recall has been initiated because safety updates were omitted in the Product Insert/Medication Guide (MG) that are provided with these recalled lots.

TruVision Health Recalls Dietary Supplement Products Because of Possible Health Risk

TruVision Health LLC is recalling the dietary supplement products listed below because they contain the unapproved dietary ingredients hordenine and/or octodrine/DMHA (1,5-Dimethylhexylamine). 

Hordenine is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth and might cause stimulating side effects such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, jitteriness, nervousness, nausea, vomiting or insomnia.  These adverse events are more likely to occur in sensitive sub-populations of people such as pregnant women and consumers with cardiovascular disease.  Currently, hordenine is not an approved dietary ingredient in dietary supplements.

Position:              American Rescue Plan Coordinator

Status:                  Temporary Part Time (20 – 29 hrs. per week)

Reports To:         County Commissioners

Location:             500 W. Main Street, Smethport

McKean County is seeking an American Rescue Plan Coordinator to assist with managing programs identified by the county commissioners for funding through the America Rescue Plan Funds.  Candidate will work an interim time period with weekly hours to fluctuate with release of funds to community partners. Ideal candidate will have general knowledge of McKean County with knowledge of economic impact funding and grant processes.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for compliance for use of funds by McKean County for American Rescue Plan Funds
• Assist Community Partners to identify avenues for resources and/or matching funds
• Monitor and assess project impact and identify funding gaps for sustainability
• Assist with program design in collaboration with the McKean County Commissioners and staff

to identify global focus and goals of initiative and tailor process to align with those goals

• Monitor grant applications and execution from award through compliance to final reporting
• Manage marketing and promotion of program in all media outlets including print, online, radio

and presentations as public meetings

• Assist with needs assessment to identify optimal impact of American Rescue Plan Funds
• Process applications, ensure proper documentation and eligibility and provide general

application assistance to applicants for internal and external reports

• Participate in review and ranking criteria to evaluate applicants
• Maintain detailed records of application status, eligibility criteria and award notifications
• Maintain spreadsheet and financial records of allocated funding, invoices, receipts and

final reporting

• Communicate with grant applicants from public, private, government and non-profit entities
• General Office Assistance and Other Duties as required

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree in Business, Planning, Accounting or related field; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 2-3 years of professional experience in economic development, planning or related field

Interested applicants are invited to apply by completing a McKean County job application and resume.  Please forward it to: Michele Jubon, Human Resources Director, McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749 or emailing it to: mmjubon@mckeancountypa.org by May 8, 2023. We are an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.