Posts Tagged ‘Eureka’

YOU CAN practically hear the Luzerne County Commissioners yelling: “Eureka! Thar’s treasure in them thar’ hills.”

The trio knows that – much like a century ago – a potential financial bonanza lies below our feet in the form of a coveted fuel. This time, it’s not anthracite.

Instead, companies aim to extract natural gas from deep below Northeastern Pennsylvania’s crust, using new drilling technology to tap a rock formation known as the Marcellus shale. The drillers, and speculators hoping to profit by hoarding land-lease agreements, have knocked on doors throughout the region, promising to put money in the pockets of cooperative property holders.

Luzerne County officials rightly recognize that this region’s (second) energy revolution offers a rare opportunity.

If handled properly, it can provide a much-needed source of relatively inexpensive fuel for home-heating and other purposes. Plus, the industry can be a significant money-maker for private landowners as well as public entities, including the commonwealth (which controls state forests and game lands) and the county.

Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom, therefore, deserves to be handled with extreme care so that current residents and future generations reap the full benefits. The approach will require specialized knowledge of geological, environmental and legal issues, coordination among all involved parties and patience.

With no disrespect intended, this is not a job for the Luzerne County Commissioners to attempt on their own.

Commissioner Greg Skrepenak’s proposal to create a gas exploration task force, which will involve professionals, makes sense in the short term. After studying the issue, however, this task force might decide it’s more sensible to combine efforts with a regional or statewide group that has even more expertise and can leverage the best deals on behalf of the taxpaying public.

The commissioners could vote as soon as Wednesday to request proposals for drilling in the county-owned Moon Lake Park area. What’s the rush? Most advisers have been telling private property owners that there is no need to leap on this bandwagon; indeed, better deals probably can be secured at a later time and by coordinating efforts with surrounding property owners rather than trying to compete with them.

In recent years the county has entered into some poorly arranged contracts, such as the juvenile detention center deal. The stakes are too high to botch this one.

Unfortunately, the current commissioners might see natural gas leases as an easy out – an escape from the burdensome budget deficits that have become all-too typical here in recent years. It would be a mistake, however, to make hasty decisions for short-term gain that could impact this region and its residents for the next century.

Luzerne County

officials rightly recognize that this region’s (second) energy revolution offers a rare opportunity.

Copyright: Times Leader