Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley Wednesday toured the Clarion Altela Environmental Services plant in Clarion to see firsthand how the local Marcellus Shale industry is creating jobs in the area. The plant is currently under construction and will purify the wastewater generated at natural gas drilling sites.

“Marcellus Shale is creating tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs across the state and right here in Clarion County.  These jobs are not just at the drill sites, the opportunities are coming in ways we never anticipated,” said Cawley.

The plant represents a $10 million investment and is expected to be fully operational later this fall.  It is a joint venture between ACI, Inc., parent company of the Piney Creek Power Plant and Altela, Inc., a company based in New Mexico.

The technology that purifies the wastewater at the plant uses a process of evaporation and condensation to remove salts and other materials from the water. It is similar to the natural process of making rainwater from the ocean’s saltwater.

“This is a win-win for Pennsylvania.  The plant will not only provide jobs but also protect our environment by effectively treating and recycling wastewater from the drill sites,” Cawley said.

The plant will treat a minimum of 100,000 gallons of wastewater every day. The purified water can then be reused at the drill sites or by the power plant.  

“We take water quality very seriously in Pennsylvania.  We have some of the toughest standards in the country and CASE will have to meet them,” Cawley said.

Altela is constructing a similar plant in McKean County and their technology is already being used in a plant near Williamsport.

NewsClip: Lt. Gov. Cawley Tours Marcellus-Related Water Treatment Plant

10/1/2012