A Marcellus Shale gas well site got a little bit greener thanks to CONSOL Energy, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County and the Game Commission. 

In honor of Arbor Day, 15 employees from CONSOL Energy spent the morning planting white spruce hardwoods on a well pad to restore the land to its original habitat.

The Aikens well pad sits on a 60-acre site adjacent to Beaver Run Reservoir.  With 31 Marcellus wells, the site produces enough natural gas to heat 300,000 homes. In addition, 150,000 people depend on the reservoir as their primary source of water. 

"At CONSOL Energy, we relate every activity in which we engage to our core values – safety and environmental compliance," commented Craig Neal , vice president of northern Appalachian gas operations, CONSOL Energy. "In fact, we strive to not only meet, but to exceed both the letter and the spirit of the law in this regard."

CONSOL Energy recognizes the importance of environmental management and practices the responsible use of the land, water and air in its operational areas. In accordance with compliance obligations, CONSOL Energy aims to reclaim land post energy development back to its original or better condition.  A vital component of this is reforestation.

"As part of the reclamation phase of the Aikens pad, we have already planted 2,300 trees on two different sites," Neal stated.

CONSOL values its partnerships with conservation and wildlife organizations – groups such as the PA Game Commission that help make land management decisions benefiting not only the company, but the communities in which it operates.

"CONSOL Energy has donated or transferred thousands of acres to the Pennsylvania Game Commission statewide to remain in wildlife habitat for perpetuity," commented Doug Dunkerley , Land Manager, Game Commission Southwest Region. "They have led the way and set the standards we now require of all energy companies.  Wise Marcellus and Utica Shale development has provided much needed funding for our agency.  We need these industries to thrive and do so in an environmentally responsible way."

4/29/2013