John Connelly – 6/10/12

This page was last updated on June 10, 2012.

Fuel to the fracking fire; John Connelly; Beaver County Times; June 10, 2012.

I could be mistaken, but I believe Mr. Connelly is the John J. Connelly, Jr., who wrote “Let’s look at all our energy options” in 2008.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Just two notes to add some fuel to the the [sic] fire we know as fracking.

“Traveling to West Liberty and Bethany colleges in West Virginia are roads similar to Blackburn Road near Heritage Valley Sewickley, s-bends, u-bends, two narrow lanes, newly asphalted by fracking companies. I was surprised by two convoys of three large tanker trucks with escorts coming at me. These tankers came over the center line, especially on turns. I recommend residents of Independence and Hanover townships start driving smaller cars and pickups. This may be a permanent adjustment to your traffic and peace and quiet.”

[RWC] It’s likely the alleged vehicles were there to support drilling/exploration operations. Once wells are drilled and production begins, this type of traffic disappears.

Roads “newly asphalted by fracking companies?” Those jerks; this must stop! <g>

“Chesapeake Energy and Chesapeake Appalachia are both headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla. Are the big oil barons playing a little deception game with the East Coast names?”

[RWC] Chesapeake was founded and named in the 1980s. Barring the use of a crystal ball or a time machine, it’s unlikely “the big oil barons [are] playing a little deception game with the East Coast names.”

“I’m not against industry. I just think we should protect our environment with a greater degree and tax this operation. I think these cowboys can afford it.”

[RWC] You can pare down the first two sentences to “I just think we should … tax this operation.”

Marcellus Shale companies pay taxes just as any other business. What PA is not doing is charging a royalty for extracted gas, a charge the Times finally conceded is “a tax that is paid by consumers.” Further, the BCT acknowledged “Raising taxes could slow the economy.”