Representin'

How Can a Bully be a Good Neighbor?

'Not to single out one company, but doesn’t it seem odd that Range Resources is the only company dominating both local and national headlines regarding its aggressive tactics with local governments?' state Rep. Jesse White writes.

Last week, the roller coaster ride between some of the municipalities I represent and some of the extreme elements of the natural gas industry public-relations machine took a few more twists and turns. What has already been a bizarre relationship is getting more and more bizarre by the day. Last month, Robinson Township Board of Supervisors was forced to turn down two drilling permit applications when the drilling company, Range Resources, refused to submit an adequate sound study or site plan. This alone was bizarre, since Range’s lawyers were given multiple chances to correct the situation but didn’t; the lawyer refused to answer any questions at one hearing and refused to participate in another. Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella issued a …

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Range, Cecil: Lines of Communication Opened Thanks to Workshop

Range Resources officials and the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors met for a workshop Thursday—and both the company and township officials said they were happy with the outcome.

Range Resources spokesman Jim Cannon, flanked by three colleagues, told Cecil Township Board of Supervisors during a more than hour-long work session Thursday that “not so long ago” the Southpointe-based company and the municipality seemed to have a good working relationship. “Somewhere along the lines, things got haywire,” Cannon told the board, who all sat together at a table in front of a packed crowd in the township meeting room, where company officials later confirmed that the lack of drilling in the township had more to do with economics than any difficulties working with municipal officials. While “obvious issues” such as the township’s conditional-use ordinance and the outcome of the Act 13 challenge were still on the table, that’s…

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Donald Roessler

5:43 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Anyone who is concerned about their water, whether it be from gas drilling, natural causes of pollution, or anything other causes of pollution can install a whole home water purification system that would clean the water right before it enters your house. A lot of people around the country are installing these systems whether they rely on ground water or public water. Many of these people don't …   more ›

Cecil Township Supervisors and Range Resources Reschedule Public Workshop

The meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 in the township building.

A workshop session between the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors and Range Resources that was previously canceled has been rescheduled. Township Manager Don Gennuso said Friday that the public meeting—at which no formal action will be taken—will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 in the municipal building. A public notice will appear in the Observer-Reporter newspaper and on the township website Monday, he said. What isn’t known? “I’m not aware of the context of the meeting,” Gennuso said. “I have not been given an agenda by Range Resources.” It was also unclear whether public comment would be taken during the workshop. Gennuso said that while it has been past practice for the supervisors to take comments from audience members during …

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Amanda Gillooly

8:25 am on Sunday, December 2, 2012

Me - The comment deleted (if you really need to know) did not involve Rep. White - it was a personal attack about one of the other commenters. You seem to have some problem with me as a reporter, as your posts are negative. If you would like to speak with me (as I have offered in the past), just give me a call. Again I will post my cell phone number: 724-510-5659. Anyone else who would like to …   more ›

Range to Cecil: PUC Challenge Could Be Dropped for Private Meeting

Read the letter township Manager Don Gennuso wrote to Range Resources refusing the meeting—and explaining why.

Cecil Township Manager Don Gennuso said Wednesday that Range Resources has tried to leverage its “sway” with a leaseholder who filed for a Public Utilities Commission review of its Marcellus Shale gas ordinance in order to secure an informal meeting with the board of supervisors. Gennuso said the first request from Range Resources Local Government Affairs Manager Jim Cannon came in the form of a letter dated Oct. 5. “Range Resources is evaluating the prospect of resuming the permitting of drilling operations in Cecil Township. In light of this proposal, we would like to schedule a meeting with the supervisors to outline our plans and obtain input on the areas of concern that may still exist with officials regarding our activities,” the …

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Local Officials React to Ruling on Marcellus Shale Legislation

Local lawmakers gave their two cents on the issue, while Southpointe-based Range Resources—a Marcellus Shale industry leader—remained mum.

One local lawmaker called Thursday’s state Commonwealth Court ruling to strike down portions of Act 13—the state’s newly enacted legislation regulating Marcellus Shale drilling—a  “major victory” for residents and local government bodies. State Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, was an outspoken opponent of the bill, and he said after the ruling that he hopes the decision to give the power of regulating the zoning aspects of Marcellus Shale drilling back to local government bodies instead of the state will promote “responsible” development of shale play. "Hopefully we can now stop the bullying and the buying-of-influence and truly work together to develop a responsible approach that will allow development of Marcellus Shale while creating a …

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Amanda Gillooly

10:18 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012

This thread has gotten off the subject - and has devolved into name calling. For this reason, I am shutting off the comments. If you would like to speak with me call me at 724-510-5659 or email me at amanda.gillooly@patch.com.   more ›

Cecil: Seismic Testing Company 'Willfully Violated' Ordinance

Township officials say Dawson Geophysical, which last week filed suit against the township on a separate issue, failed to comply with the community's local ordinance governing seismic testing activity on state roads.

Days after Dawson Geophysical sued Cecil regarding the use of township roads for seismic testing, municipal officials said the company has “willfully violated” a local ordinance governing recent work on two state roads. Township Manager Don Gennuso said Tuesday morning that citations were pending against the company because it failed to provide notice and information to the municipality, as well as maintain the proper distance from homes while “thumper” trucks roved Reissing Road and state Route 980 last week. In fact, it was Supervisor Andy Schrader that brought the alleged violations to Genusso’s attention when he noticed one of Dawson’s trucks drive past his Reissing Road home. Schrader said Tuesday that he personally witnessed Dawson …

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Amanda Gillooly

9:52 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

My pleasure! And for the record, Mr. Cannon did not call me back as he indicated he would as of 9:51 p.m. Just to clarify that, too. I did try to get Dawson's take on this issue.   more ›