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- Beaver Run | Protect PT
Protect Beaver Run Reservoir! Well Pads like the Dearmitt pad are often less than 1,000 feet from the waters edge. Other infastructure remais dangerously close to the water as well. Learn if your public water comes from Beaver Run and read about the progress we've made on protecting your water. Beaver Run Reservoir Where does your water come from? What can we do? Beaver Run Reservoir is a critical water supply for 150,000 people. Even still, MAWC has allowed fracking companies to withdraw water from Beaver run during drought, putting residents' water supply at risk. Do you receive your water from Beaver Run? Help Protect PT remind the Westmoreland Commissioners of their duty to Make Every Drop Count and restrict fracking withdrawals during drought! Sign our petition! Find out Sign ............................................................ Upcoming Actions Events ............................................................ Watch our Presentation Help support Protect PT's work around the Beaver Run Reservoir. With your support, we will be able to continue working to protect your right to clean air and water. Donate Here! Protecting Our Precious Resources: For over a decade, fracking has been active around the Beaver Run Reservoir by CNX. Fracking companies use an enormous amount of water to frack a single well and this water is so contaminated it can no longer be used for human consumption. Click here to get updates About Beaver Run Located in Westmoreland County, Beaver Run is a public water source for 150,000 people in the 39 surrounding townships. More than 50 wells are located near the reservoir. Many of the well pads are less than 1,000 feet from the water's edge, yet a large portion of the scientific community agrees that half-a-mile is the bare minimum when working near drinking supplies. In early 2019, drilling complications at one of CNX's deep gas wells resulted in pressure spiking at nearby shallow wells. Nine shallow wells were continuously flared for days to receive pressure. Authorities claimed there were no impacts on the environment or nearby community, but air monitoring showed elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide. Infrastructure Near the Beaver Run Reservoir Water & Air Quality Our Technical Water Report Our Air Report More about water in Westmoreland Co. There are more than 50 wells near the reservoir with many less than 1,000 feet from the water's edge. Photo provided by Bob Donnan
- Environmental Reporting App | Protect PT
Report environmental harms and observations using our mobile app report.protectpt.org. Learn more about how to use the app and shortcut to your device. Environmental Reporting App Recording Observations You can record observations at home or on the go with our environmental reporting tool (report.protectpt.org ). This mobile responsive website can be used on any device. You can record observations of environmental and health impacts and find directions on reporting these impacts to the proper agencies. You can report on: air pollution noise and nuisance related to development headaches, dizziness or other health impacts water contamination safety concerns and more! Protect PT will follow up on any reports you make through the app but will not disclose any personal information to third parties without your consent. If you have questions about using this tool, contact the Environmental Science team at enviroscience@protectpt.org . Scan the QR code with your phone to use the website like an app! Download our mobile app to home screen instructions to learn how to add a shortcut on your device How can I access the app? The "app" is actually just a mobile responsive link that works on any device. Go to report.protectpt.org to file a report anytime. What happens with my reports? The Environmental Science Team reviews all reports made through the app and will follow up with you. The app itself also directs you to file reports with the proper agencies based on your location and the type of complaint you are filing. Do I have to be a member of Protect PT to use the app? You do not have to be a member of Protect PT or be affiliated with Protect PT to use the app. You simply have to create a log in (or use your Google or Facebook login) to set up an account and file reports. If you are not a member of Protect PT but would like to support these efforts, please consider becoming a member of Protect PT . What are the terms and conditions? The app terms and conditions can be found at https://report.protectpt.org/terms.php . Support Our Work
- Leasing Information | Protect PT
What you should know before leasing your land to gas and oil production/exploration? We have resources and templates you can use to make an educated decision about leasing. What You Should Know Before Signing a Lease You should seriously consider consulting an attorney knowledgeable in this particular area of law as well as your mortgage lender and homeowner's insurance carrier as your decision to sign may affect your ability to refinance, sell, or be covered for any damages related to drilling. Pennsylvania does not currently have automatic forced pooling (the act of being forced by state law into participation in an oil and/or gas producing unit) and it is very difficult, and impossible in many circumstances, for companies to use this controversial legal tool to gain access to minerals beneath your property. The promise of income for your family for generations is often exaggerated and there are hidden fees, taxes, deductions etc. See a list of questions to ask before signing from our partners at Environmental Integrity Project Other Concerns Associated With Unconventional Gas Development Nuisance: Fracking is a heavy industrial process. Each well requires thousands of truck trips and results in significant noise. Drilling operations continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and require substantial lighting and produces tons of waste. Fire & Explosions: There is always the potential for fire and explosions with the nature of natural gas production and the evacuation area on an unconventional gas well is typically a 1/2 mile radius from the well. Water & Air Pollution: According to the DEP, in 2014 more than 240 private water supplies were said to have been damaged by oil and gas operations during the past seven years. Streams and tributaries are also at risk from contamination due to spills or regurgitation of flow back from slick water hydraulic fracturing. Residents living less than 1⁄2 mile from wells are at greater risk for health effects from exposure to air pollutants during well completion activities due to exposure to toxic chemicals released during the process. Property Value Depreciation: All of the above concerns are issues that can affect property values. Property values will also be affected by whether or not the mineral rights have been severed from the surface rights, whether the mineral rights can be or are leased to an oil & gas company, and problems obtaining mortgages and insurance coverage. Part of Protect PT's mission is to protect the rights of the entire community, if you have questions or want us to put you in contact with legal experts who may be able to help you, please contact us. Contact Us Canvass Your Neighborhood If oil and gas companies are approaching you and your neighbors about leasing it is important that everyone is aware of what it will entail. If you would like to share this information you can canvass your area with this printable "Think Before You Sign A Lease" door hanger. Click the image to the right for the PDF. Some Research To Do Before Signing Always consult an attorney knowledgable in this area of law before signing ANYTHING! Call your mortgage lender and home owner's insurance- your decision to sign may affect refinancing, selling, or damage coverage related to drilling. The promise of income for your family is often exaggerated and there are hidden fees, taxes, deductions, etc... ALL of your neighbors have NOT signed; gas cannot be extracted from your land without your permission. High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing is a heavy industrial process- do your homework before you sign away your rights. Denying a Lease For a sample letter you can use to deny gas companies the leasing of your mineral rights, download below. Additional Sources Mortgage Lenders on Fracking
- Privacy Policy | Protectpt
Privacy Policy You recognize and agree that by uploading any content (including, but not limited to designs, images, animations, videos, audio files, fonts, logos, illustrations, compositions, artworks, interfaces, text and literary works) through any means to the website, you confirm that you own all the relevant rights or received the appropriate license to upload/transfer/send the content. You agree and consent that the uploaded/transferred content may be publicly displayed at the website. You agree to indemnify and hold Protect PT harmless from any demands, loss, liability, claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), made against them by any third party due to, or arising out of, or in connection with your use of the website or any of the services offered on the website. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Protect PT, be liable for any indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including without limitation, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to the use of, or inability to use, the service. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, [website owner] assumes no liability or responsibility for any (i) errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies of content; (ii) personal injury or property damage, of any nature whatsoever, resulting from your access to or use of our service; and (iii) any unauthorized access to or use of our secure servers and/or any and all personal information stored therein. If you are receiving text messages from us and wish to stop receiving them, respond with “STOP” to the number from which you received the message. Once we receive your message, you will no longer receive further text messages from us. Our organization does not share or sell user information with third parties unless we receive explicit consent from the user.
- Rural Solar | ProtectPT
Solar in Rural Communities Sign-up for Email Updates Upcoming Events Affordable, Safe Energy From the Sun Did you know that just one hour of noontime summer sun is equal to the entire annual U.S. electricity demand? Harnessing this plentiful, constant resource allows us to generate reliable electricity for our communities and reduce our environmental impact. Over the past decade, solar energy has seen great technological advancements, with costs falling by about 90% while panel efficiency improves to over 20%. For homeowners, this means it takes about 7-10 years to break even on a home solar system investment. Once the payback period is over, homeowners enjoy free or reduced electricity costs, with panels providing free power for 15-20 years after they have paid themselves off. For electric utility providers, this means that solar panels are now the quickest and cheapest form of energy generation to install. And for farmers, starting to practice agrivoltaics is more accessible than ever. Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating agricultural production with solar energy generation on the same land. Farmers can do this with crops, livestock (as seen above), greenhouses, or pollinator habitats. This dual use of property generates stable income for farmers and can even result in crop benefits like increased yield and reduced water loss. While research is ongoing, current findings demonstrate that vegetables and berries are some of the most suitable crops for agrivoltaics. Check Out Our Fact Sheet! Watch our Webinar! Resources Check out Solar United Neighbors , a national organization conducting solar advocacy and helping homeowners go solar to save on their electric bills. PA Solar Center helps nonprofits and small businesses go solar. They also offer this online resource hub , which contains a qualified solar developer directory. Read this white paper from PennFuture on solar development in Pennsylvania to learn about solar benefits for communities, common myths about solar, and solar policy. The U.S. Department of Energy has a page describing the benefits of residential solar electricity and how to plan and finance your home solar system. If there's one thing most Pennsylvanians can agree on, it's that their electric bills are too high. Electricity costs have skyrocketed over the past five years, rising on average by 46 percent since 2018. To help combat rising energy costs, the PA Solar Center and Solar United Neighbors have joined together to create a new campaign – Energy Independence for Pennsylvania (EI4PA). And they are looking for volunteers like you to help them promote the cost-saving benefits of solar! Opportunities range from in-person presentations to posting to social media from the comfort of your own home. Learn More Here
- Emergency and disaster preparedness | Protect PT
Emergency preparedness resources in the result of a chemical spill, gas leak, or explosion/fire due industrial gas activity in your region. Emergency and Disaster Preparedness If you witness or experience an emergency, call 911. Sirens, Whistles, Flashing Lights. These are the sights and sounds of emergency vehicles rushing to the scene. Shale gas production brings a new danger to our community. As unconventional gas development commences in Penn Township, residents will be exposed to the different stages of this heavy industrial process in close proximity to our homes, businesses, and schools. These stages include construction of well pads, drilling of vertical and horizontal bores, high volume hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), flowback wastewater management, and completion. Undeniably, each stage of this heavy industrial activity brings with it inherent risks to our quiet, rural community. Some of the potential issues include, but are not limited to, truck accidents, transportation of toxic chemicals, chemical spills, gas leaks, dust filled air, and explosions/fires. It is a misconception that state and local regulations alone will ensure your protection. With 10 well pads and 50 plus wells currently proposed by Apex and Huntley & Huntley in our township, residents need to be reassured that our first responders are ready to protect the community. It is your job to protect your family. Continue reading to learn more about: -How to document an emergency -What a PPC plan is and why is it important -Spill response & remediation of exposure to toxins through spills and air emissions -How the community, local governments, and county can support our first responders Pipeline Explosion in Salem Township What your family will need in case of an emergency: 1. Be Prepared with a home emergency kit 2. Prepare your vehicle with an emergency kit 3. Make a family emergency plan 4. Prepare your pets Here are some state resources we found with helpful you will need to prepare your family for an emergency. Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide Family Emergency Plan For additional questions contact: Mary Beth Eslary, Public Information Officer, and Outreach Coordinator meslary@co.westmoreland.pa.us 724-600-7305 – Office/ 724-600-9539 – Cell 911 Public Safety Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601 For more state resources, go to www.readypa.org Emergency Contact List Local Emergency Numbers Steps to calling 9-1-1 Ask for Westmoreland County 911 (if you calling from a 412 area code, you may be connected to Allegheny County) State address of your emergency (see well pad addresses) Well Site 911 Addresses - Quest: 918 Walton Rd. Jeannette, PA 15644 - Drakulic: 1059 1st Street, Trafford, PA 15085 - Deutsch: 291 Saunders Station Road, Trafford, PA 15146 - Backus: 405 Sedona Ln. Trafford, PA 15085 - Numis: Connected to Backus, same address - Poseidon: 2001 Snyder Rd. Jeannette, PA 15644 - White: No address is given: Property located off Bush Run Road (SR 993) between Claridge Elliott - Road and Baughman Road - Beattie: 1122 Dutch Hollow Rd, Jeannette, Pa 15644 - Draftina: 1051 Dutch Hollow Rd, Jeannette, PA 15644 - Gaia: 2002 Denmark Manor Rd. Export, PA 15632 (not permitted yet) - Metis: 1260 Harrison City Export Rd. Jeannette, PA 15644 (not permitted yet) Penn Township Fire Departments Level Green Fire Department - 412-372-9669 Harrison City Fire Department- 724-744-4477 Claridge Fire Department- 724-744-2400 Grandview Fire Department - 724-523-8251 Paintertown Fire Department - 724-863-7769 Penn Township Ambulance 1030 Sandy Hill Road Irwin, PA 15642 724-744-4112 Supervisor: Edgar C. Grant info@penntownshipambulance.org Click here for a full list of our local first responders, chiefs, contact information and how many in a house. Local Hospitals UPMC East Hospital | 412-357-3000-2775 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146 Forbes Regional Hospital | 412-858-2000, 2570 Haymaker Rd., Monroeville, PA 15146 Westmoreland Regional Hospital | 724-832-4000, 532 West Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 To learn more about emergency and disaster preparedness, Sign up for a Home Resource Guide Workshop
- Plum Injection Well | Protect PT
The Plum Injection Well is situated near the Allegheny River, the drinking water source for the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. A leak from the injection well could impact hundreds of thousands of residents. Plum Injection Well Plum Zoning Hearing Board Meeting Protect PT has been advocating for Plum Borough's access to clean air and water ever since Penneco started operating their first gas waste injection well. Penneco applied for a second well permit not even a year after Sedat 3A began accepting waste in 2021. Almost 3 years after Protect PT and Three Rivers Waterkeepers appealed the Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board's decision to allow a second well, the courts have handed the decision back down to the ZHB. This site was not approved. Fracking Waste Disposal Injection Well Threatens Pittsburgh’s Drinking Water: The Plum Injection Well is situated near the Allegheny River, the drinking water source for the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. A leak from the injection well could impact hundreds of thousands of residents. “We feel vindicated in pressing forward and insisting that they, the Plum Zoning Hearing Board, take into consideration the health and safety of the community in their decision,” said Gillian Graber, Executive Director of Protect PT. “Like many municipalities facing the tremendous pressure from the industry, the Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board believed it had no other option but to approve this new well, but townships and municipalities across Pennsylvania can take heart that there are remedies in the law for municipalities to stop this unwanted development,” said James Cirilano, Protect PT’s Community Advocate. Clean Water Act Click to view the full document Learn More About The Risks In spite of the lack of community support, PA DEP and EPA approved the Sedat 3A Injection Well. This well began accepting fracking waste in 2021. Currently, Penneco is seeking to add a second injection well to the site. This new well is called Sedat 4A. Plum Borough and Protect PT Challenge Injection Well In January 2022, the Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board reluctantly approved the Sedat 4A Injection Well. Plum Borough appealed the decision of their own Zoning Hearing Board in a unique case. Protect PT filed joined the appeal in support of residents in Plum. In January of 2024, Protect PT successfully appealed the Zoning Hearing Board's Decision to approve the Sedat 4A Injection Well. Upon their reconsideration of the decision, the Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board moved to deny the application to develop the Sedat 4A Injection Well. But Penneco won't take "No" for an answer and has appealed the Zoning Hearing Board's decision, citing bias against the developer from Plum Borough. In 2026, Protect PT is continuing to litigate on behalf of Plum Borough and its residents' health and well-being. Appeals require paying for expert witnesses and other legal fees. Your donation of any amount helps us challenge this injection well. Support the Appeal! Protecting Plum Borough Following our successful appeal of the Plum Zoning Hearing Board's (ZHB) approval the Sedat 4A Injection Well, the Plum ZHB has issued a new decision. In support of Plum residents' health and well-being, the Plum ZHB has ultimately elected to deny Penneco's application to develop the Sedat 4A Injection Well. But our work isn't over yet. Penneco has appealed the Plum ZHB's decision to deny their application, citing that the harmful impacts of the Sedat 3A on Plum residents are speculative, and that the decision is the result of bias from the township. This marks yet another effort by the oil and gas industry to undermine the will of the people and the systems that protect them. Read our blog to learn more, and support our defense of Plum Borough! Penneco Won't Take "No" For an Answer They want profits, we want good health. On February 4th, the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas heard arguments in Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC v. The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Plum . Protect PT intervened in this case to protect Plum Borough’s residents from a second fracking waste injection well that is expected to increase water contamination, air pollution, diesel fumes, and the frequency of noisy, industrial tanker trucks. After the Zoning Hearin Gillian Graber Residents share their experiences: Residents have reported horrible smells and pollution, excessive noise and truck traffic, water contamination and health impacts from the Sedat 3A Injection Well in Plum. Several residents have expressed concerns about the proposed Sedat 4A Injection Well, which would be located at the same site as the existing well. Katie shows reporters bottles of her water before and after the first injection well started. Read the letter to Gov. Wolf regarding the revocation of Plum Injection Well permit and the risks of the project on the public. Read the letter from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the Mayor written to Governor Wolf requesting that he intervene in the Plum Injection Well to protect Pittsburgh's water. Protect PT's Environmental Science team conducting water monitoring around the Plum Injection Well: 1/8 Donate to Protect Clean Water
- Member Testimonials | Protect PT
Protect PT's first priority is serving the needs of our community. Read testimonials from local members. Member Testimonials Saving the Quarry Sanctuary in Jeanette December 2023 "The land I love so dearly is in danger of being poisoned by the petrochemical industry." Read laZae's compelling story about protecting her family's land with the help of Protect PT. From: laZae Read the Letter Fighting for Clean Air and Water in Plum December 2022 "I knew in my gut [the terrible chemical smell] had to be related to the well activity, but needed help to understand all the impacts. That’s when I turned to Protect PT." Join Katie as she tells her story about how an injection well in Plum propelled her into action! From: Katie Read the Letter Protecting our Kids From Pollution July 2022 "Gillian and I moved to Trafford because it looked like an amazing place to raise our family. Almost immediately, we found ourselves fighting to keep the air clean and safe for our kids." Read Ryan's story about protecting what matters most: his children. From: Ryan Read the Letter Support Our Work
- Air Quality | Protect PT
We offer air quality monitoring services, an important tool that can be used to protect yourself and your environment when living in close proximity to industrial practices, like shale gas development. Air Quality Air Quality Monitoring What is in the air? Unconventional gas development can pollute the air in many different ways releasing particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons. Some of this air pollution is visible like smoke from diesel engines or fires at the well and some air pollution is not visible, at least to the naked eye. Gases like methane are invisible often leak or are vented from well sites, pipelines and compressor stations. Because you cannot see them you may not even know you are being exposed to them. The videos below show infrared footage of methane releases. Notice how you can see it billowing into the air with the heat-sensitive footage, and how it is barely visible when the infrared is turned off. These compressor stations and condensate tanks exist within every area that is host to natural gas development. Click here to read the Earthworks Blog post about their visit with Protect PT. Sign up for Air Monitoring Tonkin Compressor Station - at one point, the DEP found 11 leaks at this site after a resident complained due to terrible smell and air quality Want to learn more about air quality? Attend one of our Living Near Shale Gas Community Workshops! Protect your family by monitoring your air NOW for a baseline. Air quality monitoring is an important tool that can be used to protect yourself and your environment when living in close proximity to industrial practices, like shale gas development. Air pollution from shale gas development is known to cause many health problems from burning eyes and throat to long-term effects such as cancer, poor birth outcomes, and cardiovascular disease. This air pollution is produced throughout the stages of the drilling and production process and will go on for the life of the well. If you live within three miles of a well site you can be exposed to emissions containing harmful volatile organic compounds like toluene, ethylbenzene, and formaldehyde, radon gas from drilling, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter from truck exhaust. What emissions can we monitor? Particulate Matter (PM) - Particulate Matter is tiny particles that travel on the air we breathe. It is a prime way VOCs, which easily attach to particles in the air, are introduced into the body and can cause serious health effects. With oil and gas development PM is one of the largest contributors to these negative health impacts. The presence of PMs can be measured using an air quality monitor such as the Purple Air monitor. To participate in a program for monitoring your air quality click here or see the form below to get started. Radon - Radon, the #1 cause of lung cancer outside of smoking, is a radioactive gas that everyone breathes in every day, usually at low levels, according to the National Cancer Institute. The levels of radon in the air are known to increase in the presence of oil and gas drilling. It is measured with a radon monitor usually placed in your basement. Sand pollution at Quest Well Pad Flaring of a conventional well near the Beaver Run Reservoir after a well-casing failure at the Shaw Well Pad Sign up for Air Monitoring
- Complaint and Compliance | Protect PT
Learn the proper way to document and report an incident or a issue. Learn what department you should be reporting to, and how to track your complaint afterwards. Complaint and Compliance Documenting and reporting to the proper agency is critical to your protection Lights, Noise, Action. Lots of action! As unconventional gas development commences in Penn Township, residents will be exposed to the different stages of this heavy industrial process in close proximity to our homes, businesses, and schools. These stages include construction of well pads, drilling of vertical and horizontal bores, hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), flowback wastewater management, and completion. Undeniably, each stage of this process brings with it unwanted impacts to our quiet, rural community. Some of the issues are, but not limited to, bright lighting, loud constant noise, truck traffic, dust filled air, and safety hazards. It is a misconception that state and local regulations alone will ensure your protection. And with over 50 wells currently proposed by Apex and Huntley & Huntley in our township, residents need to be extremely aware of their surroundings. Citizen watchdogs are our best defense against violations and non-compliance. It is imperative that citizens of the community are vigilant and active in protecting themselves, their property, and their environment. Documenting activity you see that doesn't follow local or DEP regulations is important because enforcement agencies don't necessarily know about or give attention to violations being committed unless you speak up and report them. You can follow the steps below to properly document and report violations. Tips for documenting and reporting violations Click here for a PDF of these tips and contacts 1.Track how development affects your daily life. Keep a journal as a record of what happened and when. You have rights under the Pennsylvania Constitution to clean air and pure water. Authorities must address your concerns and take steps to mitigate any potential harm or nuisance affecting you or your family. 2. Download our form and email it to us. Or fill out this form and we will track it for you. 3. Take time-stamped pictures or video of activities that are affecting you, in particular, dust, smoke, excessive noise, or smells that indicate fugitive emissions. 4. Contact responsible parties to voice your concerns and demand an appropriate response. - Contact officials and companies in writing, so there is documentation of your complaint. Quite often, complaints taken by phone do not become part of the permanent record. Written complaints will establish a timeline of the complaint and demonstrate how the government has responded to it. - Citizens can see the timeline of a violation or complaint and documentation associated with it through a Right To Know or Freedom of Information request filed with the entity that handled the complaint. Track inspections from your complaint Be sure to follow up on complaints you have filed you can track inspections on the DEP's Oil and Gas Mapping website . Click here to download detailed instructions for locating the well sites and the results of inspections. Let us know if your expectations were met by local or state authorities. We would like to help you by ensuring that the agencies responsible for addressing your concerns are meeting expectations and they are being held responsible for public welfare. Please fill out our online form and tell us how the above individuals responded. To learn more about Complaint and Compliance, Sign up for a Living Near Shale Gas Workshop Penn Township Local Government Contacts Ward 1 Commissioner, Jeff Shula: jshulacom1@penntwp.org Ward 2 Commissioner, Lisa Rose Zaucha: lisazaucha@penntwp.org Ward 3 Commissioner, Chuck Konkus: chuck.konkus@penntwp.org Ward 4 Commissioner, Chuck Miller: cmiller@penntwp.org Ward 5 Commissioner, Larry Harrison: lharr0716@yahoo.com Twp. Manager, Mary Perez: maryperez@penntwp.org Zoning Officer, Adam Hlad: ahlad@penntwp.org Not sure what ward you are? Click here for a map State and Federal Contacts DEP (state) and EPA (federal) oversee shale gas development regulations. For some tips on how to best document and report a problem, click here for Environmental Integrity Project's complaint guidelines. DEP Complaint Hotline: Kurt Smith 412-442-4184 or 1-866-255-5158, or file an online complaint here . EPA’s Eyes on Drilling Hotline: 877-919-4372 (877-919-4EPA)
- Penn Township Advocacy | Protect PT
Protect PT's home base, Penn Township, has had significant levels of unconventional oil and gas development in the past decade, including over ten proposed well pads and two compressor stations. View our Penn Township initiatives below to learn more about our work in PT. Penn Township Advocacy Penn Township, home to Protect PT's Environmental Education Center, is currently engaged in a "comprehensive rezoning" of the entire municipality. This involves changing the map's zoning districts, creating new zones, and adding new defined uses, such as "Truck Stops" and "Solar Farms". One use that has remained absent from the list of defined uses is "Data Centers". Most people are aware that new data centers are being proposed throughout Western Pennsylvania. Unless a use is defined and regulated within a municipality, a developer could place new development wherever is most convenient. That's why Protect PT is pressuring Penn township to include "Data Centers" in their new ordinance, and to restrict their placement in the township to the "Heavy Industrial" Zone. Important Upcoming Dates Expected Voting Meeting - Final Draft of the Ordinance June 2nd, most likely at 6:30 Recent News Find Infrastructure Near You Penn Township is the site of 7 permitted well pads, many of which are in close proximity to residential neighborhoods, schools, and healthcare facilities. Find out what infrastructure is closest to you using our interactive fracking map (left). EQT Industrial Complex Penn Township is home to the EQT Industrial Complex: A collection of fracking infrastructure composed of the Poseidon 8M and Aphrodite 3M well pads, as well as the Guardian Compressor Station. Stay in the know, and report any environmental concerns or noise complaints! LEARN MORE Penn Township Ordinance Protect PT has drafted a model ordinance and submitted it to the Penn Township Commissioners for enactment to better protect residents from unconventional shale gas development, also known as fracking. If you are a Penn Township resident, sign our petition now to demand better protections for residents. LEARN MORE Legal Advocacy Protect PT's legal advocacy program is designed to hold the oil and gas industry and government agencies accountable to the environmental and health impacts from fossil fuel development. Currently, we have several ongoing cases regarding proposed infrastructure here in Penn Township. LEARN MORE Level Green/Lyons Run Pipeline The Level Green and Lyons Run Pipeline, proposed by Apex WML Midstream LLC would transport unprocessed, fracked gas from the proposed Drakulic Well Pad through Level Green and Murrysville. The proposed pipeline measures 8" in diameter. LEARN MORE
- Clean Air For All | Protect PT
Protect PT is conducting air monitoring for our Clean Air for All (CAFA) study, beginning in late 2024 through 2027. This project focuses on communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties that are likely impacted by air pollution emitted from three local facilities. Clean Air For All (CAFA) Air Monitoring Plan Protect PT is conducting air monitoring for our Clean Air for All (CAFA) study, beginning in late 2024 through 2027. This project focuses on communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties that are likely impacted by air pollution emitted from the following facilities: Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill Monessen Coke Works a.k.a. Cleveland Cliffs Plum Injection Well a.k.a. Sedat Injection Well a.k.a. Penneco Injection Well. Each monitoring site hosts a particulate matter (PM) air monitor, which will collect data for approximately 2 years to account for variables in weather patterns and industrial activity. In addition to the PM air monitors, the study is also utilizing one Summa canister and SPod deployment systems around each of the three facilities to collect information on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is so the best air samples can be captured. The Summa canister — a specialized metal canister that collects a single sample of air — will be triggered by the SPod during high pollution events. Our goal with the SUMMA canister is to determine what kind of VOCs are present at the time of a pollution event and determine how much of each pollutant is present. There are no commercially available VOC monitors on the market, which makes measuring them extremely difficult. And because some VOCs are naturally occurring while others are not and have serious health impacts, it's important to determine what specific pollutants are present in what quantity. Shown: 2 of 3 monitoring sites in Monessen and Belle Vernon Shown: Monitoring area in Plum Equipment We're Using Pictured: SPod Pictured: Particulate Matter Monitor (Purple Air) Pictured: Summa Cannister Community Engagement To keep the community informed on the progression of this study and its findings, Protect PT will hold an annual resident meeting to go over the data we've collected and break down the most important information. To see if we have an upcoming meeting, please go to our events page. To request past community reports, please complete the form linked below. Events Report Request Form Have any questions? Contact Us

