Gas drilling mishaps targeted

MOUNDSVILLE - An explosion and a gas leak at Marcellus shale drilling sites in Marshall County have officials planning better ways to deal with such problems.

Now, a new piece of federal legislation known as the Faster Action Safety Team Emergency Response Act of 2010 would require drilling companies to adhere to higher safety standards. U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., plans to introduce the legislation, more commonly known as the F.A.S.T.E.R. Act.

"I firmly believe we can extract the natural gas in a safe manner that does not harm our workers or our environment," Casey said in a news release. "We are currently recovering from an economic recession and the Marcellus shale provides an excellent opportunity for job growth and economic prosperity in the region. With that said, we must ensure that we do not waste this resource by endangering workers and our environment."

The legislation, if approved and eventually signed into law by President Barack Obama, would give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the authority to oversee drilling operations. Specifically, the F.A.S.T.E.R. Act would allow OSHA to require drillers to:

• Have an employee, knowledgeable in responding to emergency situations, present at the well at all times during the exploration or drilling phase.

• Make available a certified response team, within one hour of ground travel time, if an emergency situation arises.

• Contact local first responders within 15 minutes of the commencement of an emergency situation.

• Contact OSHA within an hour of the commencement of an emergency situation.

• Contact the National Response Center within an hour of the commencement of an emergency situation.

• Provide communication technology at the well site, such as mobile communication or satellite phone.

• Provide annual training to local first responders on the hazards of a well site and proper emergency response techniques.

• File an annual report with OSHA that names the certified response team assigned to each well of the operator.

The act will also allow OSHA to define the term "emergency situation."

As federal officials contemplate ways to increase their oversight of Marcellus shale drilling, Marshall County Emergency Management Director Tom Hart is working with other officials to map out each of the wells throughout the county. This comes in light of the June 7 blast at the AB Resources Inc. site near Moundsville, as well as the Saturday leak at the Whipkey Drill Pad on U.S. Route 250 near Cameron.

Ohio-based AB Resources just last week received clearance from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to resume drilling operations, following the company's suspension due to the explosion. The Whipkey well is operated by St. Mary's, W.Va.-based TransEnergy Inc.

"What we are looking at doing is working together with the sheriff's department, the county commission and 911 to develop a better monitoring program for these well sites," Hart said. "We have a listing of all of the companies who are actively drilling."

Currently, Chesapeake Energy sends a Marshall County map to the emergency management office, which gives exact locations of all of their well sites, Hart said. The map also designates specific spots for emergency helicopter landing, if needed. The company also sends out a weekly report of any rig movements or changes and driving directions to each of their locations in the county.

After the June 7 explosion, emergency responders reported the out-of-control flames were within about 50 feet of several fuel tankers, multiple trailers and other combustible materials.

The goal is to eventually provide the information obtained to other public safety entities in the county such as EMS and fire personnel, local law enforcement, and hospitals, all of whom may be needed in an emergency situation.

Once the sites have been identified and mapped, Hart said his department will work directly with the various entities involved at the well sites to keep information updated and accurate.