Nov 27, 2015 4 min read

Range Resources representatives admitted to a mistake in agreeing to forego on-site overnight accommodations for drilling employees, but pleaded Tuesday to South Strabane Township officials to allow them to correct the error.

“We recognize it’s our problem,” said Mike Mackin, Range Resources communications manager, during a public hearing at the township municipal building.

Mackin said a horizontal drilling rig was en route Aug. 17 to the Baumel well pad site on Kopper Kettle Road when the mistake came to light.

“We are responsible for providing a safe location,” Mackin said.

“We agreed to conditions we couldn’t comply with. …. We sent the rig to another location.” The Baumel site has not been drilled.

Range petitioned the township supervisors for approval of an amendment to a conditional use that would permit temporary trailers with overnight accommodations for “essential personnel” on the site. The planning commission voted 3-2 on Nov. 5 to recommend approval while limiting the operation to 18 weeks.

After hours of testimony from residents, most of whom spoke in support of the company, supervisors did not approve the application, with Jack Keisling and Robert Koman opposed, Daniel Piatt and Edward Mazur in favor and Laynee Zipko abstaining.

Keisling, chairman of the board, said trailers do not comply with the township’s zoning ordinance.

“My suggestion is to continue (the public hearing),” Keisling said. “I think we’re putting ourselves in a situation we’re not going to be able to change.”

The board was not required to take action and had 45 days from the close of Tuesday’s public hearing to vote.

Max Junker, an attorney with Babst Calland who spoke on behalf of Range, likened natural gas drilling to temporary construction work, of which a zoning variance would not be necessary.

Mackin said the company reduced the number of personnel and trailers, operating with the least amount possible, to appease township officials. Range asked for four or five 13- by 64-foot trailers that would house 11 workers, “who each have a responsibility in the event of a rare emergency.”

Josh Doak, Range Resources drilling engineer, said the work trailers are outfitted with equipment necessary for operations and would be on site even if workers could not sleep in them.

Zipko, who in March announced that she has a lease with an energy company, abstained from voting because, she said “the perception is that I have something to gain.”

“Range did invite all officials to take a tour to see the trailers. Only one supervisor attended. The other four opted not to do it,” Zipko said. “I would like to see other supervisors do that before they vote.”

Koman said he declined because he was at work when the invitation was extended.

Keisling questioned whether overnight accommodations were necessary and said other companies, including Rice Energy, drilled in the township without bunk houses.

Nine of 15 residents who spoke were in support of the company. Those who were opposed questioned how Range Resources could have agreed to the condition if they knew it was necessary, and said the company was trying to save money.

“An extended stay at the workplace does diminish the capacity to maintain a high level of safety,” said township resident Art Sullivan, who said he had experience with the coal and gas industry. “There is no doubt this is to reduce the cost for Range.”

Emily Minor was one of the residents who spoke in favor of approving the amendment.

“I cannot understand, if there is a safety issue, why this is up for discussion,” Minor said.

“It’s difficult to believe someone screwed up and you didn’t get it right the first time,” said Mazur, despite later voting in favor.

If the application hade been approved, Range planned to begin horizontal drilling the first week in January and finish by end of February, coming back for completion work in October 2016.

“It’s always our goal to have positive working relationships in the communities where we live and work,” said Mark Windle, Range Resources manager of corporate communications, in an email. “We’d very much like to move forward with this location and develop it in a safe and sensitive manner for the community. Although there are additional steps ahead of us, we are confident in a positive outcome. This will provide royalty income for landowners and windfalls for the township in the form of impact fee revenue.”

In related business, supervisors closed a public hearing Tuesday on a conditional use application by Range Resources for the Zediker Station West development and gas well site on Mitchell Road, giving the board 45 days to take action.

The board scheduled only one meeting next month, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15.