NATURAL GAS SEARCH BROADENS IN REGION

Natural gas exploration, which is exploding across Pennsylvania, is coming to Cameron County.

J-W Operating Company of Texas wants to drill three deep natural gas wells in Shippen and Lumber townships, not far from Sterling Run. Other speculators are searching property records and pitching property owners with lease offers.

Meanwhile, next door in Potter County, there were at least 25 new wells drilled during August and September.

Last week, the new Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) secretary, John Hanger, told lawmakers that his department is intent on protecting the state's natural resources during the dawning gas boom, which will bring billions of dollars in revenue to Pennsylvanians.

Hanger said extracting natural gas from Marcellus shale formations 8,000 or more feet underground requires far greater amounts of water than traditional natural gas exploration. The water can come from various sources, including municipal suppliers or streams.

Coudersport Borough is selling one energy company, East Resources, about 60,000 gallons a day for gas production at a drill site north of the borough.

DEP has worked with the Susquehanna and Delaware river basin commissions, as well as with the oil and gas industry, to create a consistent statewide application process for Marcellus shale drilling permits.

Operators must provide additional information, including the sources and locations of water to be used in the drilling process, anticipated impacts of drilling on water resources, and locations of facilities where drilling fluids will be taken for treatment and disposal.