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To the Editor,
Those infamous words once shouted by Paul Revere, on his midnight ride, to alert colonial militia, that the British forces were coming. That was some night in April 1775. Now nearly 250 years later, the alarm must be sounded once again, only this time it's the "Gas Driller's" that want to come and want to take over the city of Weirton. Like those militia, we too, will not give up, without a fight.
Every citizen needs to know that Southwestern Energy (SWN) is requesting permission to drill 14 gas well-pads behind the existing Walmart, off of Three Springs and Park Drive. Southwestern needs to hear the voice of the people of Weirton, loud and clear, just like Paul Revere's cry, simply "we don't want drilling in Weirton!" If they get permission to drill, Weirton becomes the first city within the entire state of West Virginia to have a well-pad site inside the city limits.
If this, somehow, does become a reality, the entire section of land, with all the existing businesses, hotels, banks, and restaurants, will be abandoned, because of the hazards that are inherent to drilling, and the consequences that follow. Consequences like; destroying an aquifer that supplies Weirton with water, continuous loud hammering caused by drilling, the potential for gas explosions and the release of poisonous elements into the air. Can you imagine driving for hours, stop at one of the hotels to relax, and being bombarded with enormous hammering sounds that don't stop? How long will the hotels be in business?
And, God forbid, if the inevitable happens, like it did on February 15, 2018 in Belmont County, at Powhatan Point, Ohio. A massive explosion at the fracking site forced residences to evacuate a 1-mile radius of the site. It took 3 days before the well fire was extinguished. The people couldn't return home for over 3 weeks. It was classified as one of the worst methane leaks in history. Measured by satellite, the well released over 60,000 tons of methane. Do you want this to happen in our backyard?
Judge Cuomo is about to make a ruling on two legal matters regarding Southwestern and the City of Weirton. Southwestern has until April 4 to submit their information. Weirton officials have to file their information by April 25. Final replies by Southwestern by May 6. So, I'm reaching out to the public, to each citizen, to call your council person, call the mayor, to shout and express your opposition of drilling on property inside the city limits of Weirton. We must come together as a single community voice. Let your voice be heard! Please get your responses to city officials before April 25. If Southwestern gets permission, it's all over for the city of Weirton.
Thomas Zielinsky
Weirton