Dec 22, 2016 3 min read

With the influx of gas and oil drilling, Union Township is looking to update ordinances, but as solicitor Andrew Sweat said, a closer look needs to be taken.

“We need to look at updating our ordinances, but we also need to be aware of what the federal and state regulations are concerning the issue,” said Sweat. “As a township, we cannot make an ordinance that supersedes a state or federal law. I will study this, and it will be ready for vote by the next regular board meeting.”

Township supervisors were ready to adopt an air-quality ordinance at Wednesday’s meeting, but on the advice of Sweat, they opted to wait until the monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 9.

Resident Wayne Worton asked Sweat if there was any legal action the township could take concerning a letter he and other Abel Road residents received concerning the increase of pressure in a gas line. Sweat said unfortunately, the line is the domain of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the township’s hands are tied. “Basically, they can do anything,” he said.

Worton said at the public hearing on the proposed McIntosh gas compression facility to be constructed in the spring on Finleyville Elrama Road, the EQT project manager said the pressure in the line would remain the same. The facility is expected to have pipelines coming from Forward Township, Union Township, South Park and possibly Jefferson Borough. “We were lied to,” Worton said.

Residents living near the gas line were notified by letter that the pressure will increase from 328 pounds per square inch gauge to 548 pounds per square inch gauge.

“This is going to be Salem Township, just substitute Salem Township with Union Township,” said Worton, referring to the gas line explosion in April that destroyed several homes and badly injured a resident.

Becky Worton said she notified her children she and her husband have letters in a safety deposit box in the event of a disaster.

“I told them if anything happens to us, sue this township,” she said.

Resident Darla Savko said with it only 25 feet from their residences, they will not survive if the line would explode. “We would be dead,” she said, adding she already has sent a letter to appeal the decision. “Our only option is to fight it in court, but we are going against the federal government, and we won’t win.”

Worton said he doesn’t have the means to fight a long court battle.

In other business, supervisors adopted the $1.9 million budget with no tax increase and tax millage set at 1.184 mills, but the decision was criticized by Supervisor Larry Spahr. He believes supervisors are going down a dangerous path and that the township might end up in the same spot as in 2005, when supervisors had to dissolve the police force because there was a deficit of $300,000. He said although the budget is balanced, there is a need for a reserve fund of 20 percent of the budget.

Spahr said there are many variables, including an issue with flooding and the replacement of culverts near Jack Road. He added it is not known how the oil and gas industry will affect the township financially.

Board President Deborah Sargent said, “It is unethical for the township to keep more than 20 percent in reserve. It is the residents’ money and should be used to benefit the residents and the community. It will be used for infrastructure, future parks for our residents and future residents.”