EMPORIUM — The Cameron County Commissioners on Wednesday received three Act 14 notices for oil and gas industry-related activities in Shippen Township.
A notification was received from engineering firm Kleinfelder Inc. of Cranberry on behalf of Seneca Resources pertaining to the “CRV Pad C08-X.” The pad will be located near Cooks Run in the northwestern portion of the county, near Rich Valley. The notification was sent to inform the commissioners the limit of disturbance area of the project will be increased.
Meanwhile, an application for an air quality plan was received from Endeavor Operating Corp. for “Well Pad D” located at 2166 Simmons Lane in Shippen Township, and for “Well Pad E” located 2542 Bender Lane in Shippen Township.
A third notice was received from CEC Inc. for replacement of a culvert at Coalbank Hollow on behalf of EQT Inc. Coalbank Hollow Road is an existing access road within State Game Lands 14, and will be used to access the “NILO-0006” pipeline project currently under construction.
In other news, the commissioners reported that progress is being made on an initiative to increase local tax revenue through payments on state-held land and assets, with the best chance of an increase coming through Act 444, which would return 20 percent of gas well royalties back to the municipalities in which it was produced.
Movements on the payment in lieu of tax (PILT) increase and a request for a percentage of timber royalties will be a much harder fight, according to Commissioner Phil Jones.
Currently, 11 state legislators have pledged their support, along with nearly all of the rural counties primarily affected by state-held land tracts. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is on board with all of the above measures, while the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors is pushing most for gas well revenue.
Meanwhile, cancellation of 2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for installation of flooring at the Northern Tier Community Action Corp. building was approved. The $6,700 set aside for that project will instead be applied to the Northern Tier Community Action Corp. building columns restoration project.
The 2014 CDBG funds proposal due date has been extended until June 20.
Also, the commissioners tabled a request from Lumber Township for county liquid fuels funding to allow a review of current funds. The money will be used to pay a portion of the cost of a new truck that was purchased in 2013.
Finally, the absentee ballot application deadline is Tuesday, with completed ballots required into the commissioners’ office at the Cameron County Courthouse no later than 5 p.m. May 16.
The next commissioners meeting will be held at noon May 21 at the courthouse in Emporium.
