It’s hard these days for anyone in New York State to pick up a newspaper or watch the evening news without hearing something about the heated debate over gas drilling. The possibility of huge financial gains for landowners, local businesses, and government stands on one side of the line – the concerns about the environment and its impact on communities stands on the other. Polls show the divide is close to equal, yet the issue will soon be at the fore. So why not look just to our south and ask a resident what it’s been like from their point of view? The following 3 part interview was conducted last week with long time PA resident and ardent fly fisherman, Dave Pelachik.
How long have you lived in PA and where, specifically, have you lived in the Northern Tier?
“I grew up in Pennsylvania in Sayre/South Waverly until 1992 when I did 8 years in the US Air Force. I returned to PA in early 2000 and settled in Towanda."
When did you first see drilling come to your area?
"I first saw drilling while at F. E. Warren AFB in Wyoming and didn't think much of it - until it reared its head in Bradford County in early 2008. First, it was just an influx of "white pickup trucks" with Texas and Oklahoma plates. Then the derricks started being constructed, and with it our county population soared. Housing became a premium. Anyone could charge anything for an apartment, house, shack, or even an RV lot. Poorer people who once paid $350 a month were evicted as demand grew - now one cannot find a place to live for less than $900 to $1,200 a month. Then the gas wells sprouted on almost every hilltop. In fact, there are 2 wells a few thousand feet from Towanda Borough's own water supply. Bradford County is truly the epicenter of the gas boom. There has been more press on the perils of Cabot drilling in Dimmock, PA, but here in Bradford County we have twice as many wells (both completed, drilled, and permitted to "newly drill") and with it, the subsequent fracking involved.”
What positives, if any, have you seen from gas drilling in PA?
"I have seen the Central Bradford County region explode with new general merchandise stores, gas field supply stores, hotels and mini-marts - basically support services for the gas industry. Restaurants are filled daily, hotels booked solid for months, and grocery stores are always busy. Can that be construed as positive growth?"
In Part 2 of this series, more questions will be answered regarding Dave's view on the impact of gas drilling in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.
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