Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Energy
 
Board
Department of Energy
 
chapter
Gas and Oil Regulation [4 VAC 25 ‑ 150]
Action Expanding disclosure of ingredients used in well stimulation & completion & reviewing best practices
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 2/12/2014
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2/11/14  7:16 pm
Commenter: Sallyanne M. Heltzel

Fracking in Washington County, VA
 

All landowners in the vicinity of gas drilling should be thoroughly informed as to what chemicals are being used in the "fracking" process.  I do hope you place tough restrictions on all contractors so chemical information is readily available to interested individuals  Chemicals can kill. 

Washington County seems to be involved in attracting tourists.  We are also an agricultural County.  If chemicals were  spilled on the way to wells or carlessly used at the drilling site, that would be disasterous to soil, water and the landscaape.  Underground leaks could damage water wells and free flowing creeks.  I read in farm magazines of hydrofracturing in other states.  It is interesting to read of the dust created, paved roads damaged, debris left behind.  Some people tell of the money received for lease only to find this would not cover repairing the damage done to their ranches from the drilling/"fracking" process, and no income yet received from wells. 

Yes, please make sure chemicals are identified in simple wording and also look deeper at damage to soil, water and landscape and the problems created for those innocent people who do not lease.  I know first hand what a mess is left behind by contractors of transmission pipelines and that is eminent domain.  The same problems can happen with drilling/"fracking".  Thank you for considering my views.   

CommentID: 30986