Some Clearfield County residents have fought for years to block a proposed injection well to store wastewater from the state’s natural gas fields, but the project has secured a permit from Pennsylvania environmental officials.
The Department of Environmental Protection gave its approval this week for the well, which will be operated in Brady Township by Windfall Oil and Gas.
Residents near the site of the proposed Clearfield County well have opposed the project over concerns about earthquakes and water contamination.
Marianne Atkinson of Brady Township said her family’s water well is 900 feet from the proposed injection site.
“Is it going to harm me, or the dog, even?
The Atkinsons have also spoken out against the project at public hearings and even tried appealing its federal permit, which was ultimately granted by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015.
“I’m kind of at the end of my rope here,” Rick Atkinson said.
Wastewater injection wells have come under scrutiny for causing earthquakes in other states.
This story was published in partnership with StateImpact Pennsylvania, a collaboration between WESA, Allegheny Front, WITF and WHYY, to cover the commonwealth’s energy economy.
Read more stories at StateImpact Pennsylvania’s website.