Sep 13, 2016 3 min read

The West Pike Run Township planning commission on Monday voted unanimously to table requests from Rice Energy regarding expansion of a compressor station and retroactive approval of a temporary booster compressor.

Later, the board of supervisors unanimously approved a motion to hire a company to conduct sound tests near the Lusk and Blue Moon compressor stations.

The votes came after lengthy public comment segments where residents living near the natural gas compressor stations complained about constant and excessive noise all day, every day, that has disrupted their lives.

“This has been nothing but a nightmare down here,” said Daniel Russell, who lives near the Lusk compressor station and said he is disturbed by noise 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Something needs to be done about this. This is our area, we work hard, we are hard workers and I don’t feel that we have to live with this. This is one of many that’s going to happen here. We need to delay this and talk about it and get it right”

Rice Energy had requested to build four more compressors at the Blue Moon site, and had filed for a retroactive permit for the temporary booster compressor at the Lusk compressor station, which was installed six months ago.

A Rice Energy representative said that the noise from the compressor station falls within the 55-decibel limit established by a township oil and gas ordinance, and said the company submits sound studies to the township on a weekly basis.

But there are spikes in the noise levels, and residents say they believe the noise regularly exceeds the 55-decibel limit.

Brad Barber said he moved from Pittsburgh six years ago to “enjoy country living.”

“It’s louder here than it was when I was living in McKeesport and Bellevue,” said Barber. “Come live in my house for one week, see what you hear, see what you feel.”

Brian Smith, whose property line falls within 15 feet of the Lusk compressor station, said his 4-year-old son can’t go outside to play during certain times of the day. He also worries that the property value of his home has dropped.

“Certain times in the summer, I have to bring him in because of the smell and the dust. The way of life, and what I signed up for when I came out here, this isn’t it,” said Smith. “I’m stuck. I can’t leave because I can’t sell my place because no one can get a loan for it because it’s worthless because of (the compressor station).”

On Aug. 26, zoning officer Kerry Krider asked Rice Energy officials to submit plans for a sound wall at the Lusk compressor station, but as of Monday, the township had not received that information.

Members of the planning commission on Monday said that they decided to table the motions until Rice Energy provided them with additional information about the company’s plans for the compressor stations, schedules, and efforts to mitigate noise.

Supervisors are expected to vote on the items at an October meeting.