Last week's Public Utility Commision hearing was held in Dimock, Susquehana County PA. Last year this small rural community suffered an 8,000 gallon gas drilling spill of toxic frack wastewater. Also in 2009, a Dimock home well exploded after it was contaminated by methane from a fracking operation. You can see a resident light his tap water on fire in Josh Fox's documentary GASLAND.
The July 7, 2010 PUC hearing was the first of two scheduled state wide to allow for testimony on Laser's attempt to secure utility status for it's intended Frack Gas Pipeline. Laser is seeking utility status because it wants the power of eminent domain over PA property owners. There approximately 200 people present with dozens testifying. All were united in protest of Laser's application for utility status. I testified even though I was scared beyond belief, forgot my glasses and had to use a visual aid. I believe firmly however that all opposition must be voiced. Gist of my testimony follows.
In June of this year a ruptured Frack Gas line in Johnson County Texas caused a mammoth explosion. Pipelines such as the Johnson County and Laser lines transport highly volitile natural gas at pressures which exceed 1000 psi (lbs per square inch). Pipelines may be as large as 3 feet in diameter allowing for large amounts of highly compressed gas to be transported at great speed. Potential explosions are powerful and will be fed a fresh supply of compressed natural gas both quickly and continuously.
Public Utility Status and the power of eminent domain would allow Laser to seize property and / or property rights from any PA property owner without the owners consent. Gas pipe lines could be run anywhere Laser saw fit. The Johnson county explosion is pictured below. No one should be compelled to have this on their property.
Frack Gas Pipeline explosion June 2010.
Johnson County Texas
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