State asks drillers to voluntarily use 'best practices' to stem fires

[Divernan]

Regulations? Regulations? Corbett/Krancer's DEP don't need no stinkin' regulations!

"After finding that mismanagement led to recent flash fires at storage tanks on two Marcellus Shale gas well drilling sites, the state Department of Environmental Protection is asking drilling companies to "voluntarily" follow best practices to control the highly volatile vapors.

"The request was made in a March 21 letter by DEP Secretary Michael Krancer sent to all shale gas drilling companies in the state.

"The two-page letter released Thursday cited a Feb. 23 flash fire that injured three workers at a Chesapeake Energy Marcellus Shale well drilling site west of Avella, Washington County, and another fire a year ago at an Atlas Energy well site in Hopewell, also in Washington County.

"Chesapeake said in a statement Thursday it "will comply fully with the planning measures and Best Management Practices requested in the letter."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11092/1136526-503.stm#ixzz1IM1K5vjS

(my comments)
In Corbett's Pennsylvania, Big Oil doesn't merit any fines or penalties when workers are injured and local environment polluted due to Big Oil's mismanagement, resulting in what even Krancer described as "significant threats to public health, safety and the environment". Krancer just sends a letter (doubtless coordinated in advance with, if not drafted by Big Oil) saying, "Pretty please, play nice, and stop improperly managing condensate, and voluntarily adopt a list of "best practices".

Krancer's letter was released on March 21st, and that very same day, Chesapeake Energy released a statement saying it would fully comply with "the planning measures and Best Management Practices requested in the letter." If Krancer had not gotten pre-approval from Chesapeake Energy(CE), CE would have refused to make any statement until its legal dept. had carefully analyzed DEP's request. Corporations are required to exercise due diligence under such circumstances. That does not happen the same day - never! You would get some statement that CE had received the letter and was taking it under careful advisement and would carefully review DEP's request.

MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE
This letter constitutes malfeasance in office, i.e., the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of public trust).

DEP's letter removed ALL threat of legal actions, i.e., enforcement, fines, penalties. Does anyone need to think twice about the fact that immediate notification of local emergency management and municipal officials in the event of an emergency (in these cases explosions and fires causing personal injuries to workers) should be MANDATORY? And failure to do so should carry punitive fines and shut down of a facility while said failure is investigated?

Corbett has gutted DEP. About all that's left for the DEP inspectors to do is sit around flash fires at storage tanks and sing Kumbaya.

Another day, another fresh environmental hell from Corbett/Krancer!

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I wouldn't be opposed to this letter being sent,

if it concluded with "and if you don't voluntarily institute these practices, we will roast you over any fires at your wells, as well as fine you into oblivion and ban your companies from ever setting foot in PA again."

[Divernan]

2. All three workers injured at the most recent explosion were from West Virginia

Despite all the bullshit we hear about all the jobs the industry will create for Pennsylvanians, the shale drillers are bringing in experienced workers from Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I am aware of that. Just another one of the lies we are being fed.

Jobs for everyone!!! Boom times!!! We will all be rich!!!

Too many people are buying this though, and that is a serious problem. All those nice sweet ads they inundate us with are wooing the masses.