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Community Demands Accountability From EQT Natural Gas On 1-Year Anniversary Of Greene County Frack-Out Incident; Families Still Without Clean Water; No DEP Investigation Results

By Lisa DePaoli, Center for Coalfield Justice

Time and time again, EQT [natural gas drilling company] shows that they don’t care about the communities they operate in.

Since the corporation’s pollution incident last year [in New Freeport, Greene County], an entire community’s water supply has been at risk of being unusable due to exposure to harmful chemicals.

EQT has done nothing to directly inform impacted residents of their risk, nor have they helped local families access clean, safe water.

The company has not provided a sufficient alternative source of water since the frack-out that occurred in New Freeport, PA on June 19th, 2022.

One day after the anniversary of the frack-out, area residents joined a rally and water drive outside of the EQT offices in Southpointe, Washington County.

An open letter to EQT CEO Toby Rice was hand-delivered to their headquarters making five requests--

-- A long-term alternate water source for all who need it (NOT jugs and bottles);

-- A halt to all activity at the Lumber well pad until the DEP investigation is complete and safe water is secured;

-- Transparency, respect, and open communication from EQT in all remaining stages of the investigation and until safe water is restored;

-- If water is found to be contaminated, a permanent solution for drinking wells and springs; and

-- A system to alert residents in the future and assurances that measures have been put in place to prevent this kind of incident from happening again.

The letter continued--

“The frack-out in New Freeport resulted in the contamination of well water with toxic chemicals, rendering it unsafe for consumption and leaving the community without access to clean and safe drinking water for over a year.

“This has negatively impacted their well-being and quality of life: For twelve months, they have been unable to turn on the faucet with the peace of mind that their water is safe to consume.

“New Freeport is a working-class community full of hard-working people who have spent their lives making it a place to call home. They are now facing negative impacts to their property values, as their only source of water has been negatively impacted.

“The people of New Freeport have endured significant hardships as a direct result of EQT's actions.

“We believe that through responsible action, EQT can rectify the harm caused, rebuild trust, and demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of the communities in which it operates.”

Click Here for a copy of the letter.

The Center encourages you to donate to the New Freeport Water Drive to provide clean water to families affected. [PaEN]

(Reprinted from the Center for Coalfield Justice website.)

Related Articles - New Freeport:

-- Center For Coalfield Justice: Nearly 11 Months Since An EQT Shale Gas Well Frack-Out Left Residents Near New Freeport, Greene County Without Clean Water; DEP’s Investigation Not Complete [PaEN]

-- Oil & Gas Industry Impacts: Families Affected By Alleged ‘Frack-Out’ In Greene County Have A Little Happier Holiday Thanks To Water Donated By Center For Coalfield Justice [PaEN]

-- Center For Coalfield Justice Holds First Water Distribution Day Nov. 19 To Help Provide Families Drinking Water In Greene County Following Alleged ‘Frack-Out’ At Natural Gas Well Site In June [PaEN]

Related Articles - Impacts Of Natural Gas Industrial Activities:

-- 3 Days That Shook Washington County: Natural Gas Plant Explosion; Pipeline Leak Of 1.1 Million Cubic Feet Of Gas; 10,000 Gallon Spill At Compressor Station [PaEN]

-- Robinson Twp., Washington County Seeks Answers To Cleanup Of MarkWest Liberty Midstream 10,000 Gallon Spill Of Natural Gas Condensates After Company Sends Notice To Wrong Municipality [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: Counties, PEMA Need To Include A Complete Vulnerability Assessment Of All Natural Gas Facilities In State, County Hazard Mitigation Emergency Plans - By Cat (Cathy) Lodge, Washington County Resident [PaEN]

-- Observer-Reporter Letter: Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees Don’t Help Those Impacted By Gas Drilling - By Cathy Lodge, Washington County