West Deer residents split on whether proposed well pads will benefit township

West Deer residents have differing opinions on whether the township should approve proposed natural gas well pads at two locations in the township.

Residents and taxpayers spoke Tuesday during the ninth and final public hearing regarding the proposal presented by Olympus Energy LLC.

The hearing took place at West Deer Firehall No. 1.

Olympus Energy submitted an application in 2019 proposing to build two well pads, which it calls Dionysus and Leto, for the operation of a Marcellus shale fracking well on Crestwood Drive and the other on Middle Road Extension. West Deer officials said both properties are owned by township resident John Ippolito.

Public hearings began in August for the 350-by-500-foot Dionysus well pad proposed for Middle Road Extension.

Upper Burrell Supervisor Ross G. Walker III testified on behalf of Olympus Energy regarding the Dionysus well pad. Walker was among the supervisors who approved a new well site in September.

Walker said there have not been many complaints about it.

Some West Deer residents favor the board approving the well pads, citing the potential for economic growth and development in the township.

Property owners saw it as an opportunity to help keep their land.

“This would be a great opportunity for the township to utilize the resources we have,” resident John Noftz said. “It would help out many local people during challenging times.”

Resident Dan Rothrauff of Middle Road Extension voiced support for the well, emphasizing the opportunity for money.

“Finally, I see the chance of making extra money,” Rothrauff said. “I don’t see who has a problem with making extra money.”

There were residents like Denise Scandrol who said they were not opposed to fracking, but were not in favor of the locations chosen.

“I suggest they find somewhere less populated to put a well site,” Scandrol said.

Those opposed to the well site were concerned about the health and safety, emergency evacuation and heavy traffic for the residential area.

An estimated 4,000 residents would be living within a 1-mile radius of the proposed pad. The Middle Extension Road site worries those, like Jo and Tim Resciniti, who said fracking trucks would be added to the truck traffic that already uses it.

Jo Resciniti created a Facebook group called “Concerned Residents of West Deer” (CROWD) to keep residents updated on public hearing dates, Olympus Energy’s plans and information on well pads. She created a website to compile information from the meetings and residents.

Resciniti said her husband, Tim, found out about the oil pads in early 2020. The pair said they have been researching the process for two years. They maintain a Facebook group regarding the issue.

Township Manager Daniel Mator said the board will have 45 days to issue a written decision. Mator said it hasn’t been determined whether it will be made during the board’s Dec. 15 meeting or a special meeting.

“The board intends to have a decision before the end of the year,” Mator said.

Olympus Energy spokeswoman Kim Price said Olympus Energy will comment further on the project after the board has responded to the application.

If approved, Olympus Energy would begin construction of the Dionysus well pad next May. Public hearings for the Leto well pad will begin next year.