At 6:45 a.m. on February 11, a massive explosion at a Chevron gas well site near Bobtown, PA killed one person, injured another, and ignited a fire that burned for seven days. The exploding well ignited an adjacent well on Feb. 14. Throughout the week flowback fluid rose periodically to extinguish flames, which would reignite over and over like trick candles on a huge, intensely volatile birthday cake.

            As of February 20 the wells were still uncontrolled and an extremely dangerous situation continues at the site. Houston-based well control contractors are coordinating efforts to cut away the two wells' damaged upper portions, provide connection points for blowout prevention equipment, and then cap the wells. A third well's status and future are still unknown. Chevron projects efforts will take several more days, warning the community that operations will be loud and may involve gas flaring, asking residents "not to be alarmed."

            Although workers escaping the inferno had identified missing contract worker Ian McKee, pinpointing his location near the explosion, for more than a week Chevron refused to name him or give any details. The Warren, PA man's family and friends held a candlelight vigil for him on February 13.

 Times Observer photo by Rob Andersen, 

copyright Times Observer, used by permission.

             Intense heat and fire kept anyone from getting close enough to search for Ian's body. Chevron turned the investigation over to the PA state police, whose forensic specialists found what they believe to be Ian's remains nine days after the fire. At that point Chevron expressed "heartfelt sadness" in announcing the news.

            Early on, Chevron set up a PR command post at the Bobtown Polish Club, nearly two miles away; from its doorway the fire could clearly be heard. Chevron continued updating media and reached out to the community: "As part of our comprehensive response to the incident, we have communicated with area residents to answer their questions and capture their concerns." When web sites reported, later picked up by CNN, that this included going door to door, handing out certificates for free pizza and pop from Bobtown Pizza, public response ranged from incredulous derision to rage.

            Back at the pad, Chevron and its well control contractor struggled to gain control of the situation. "We are working at a pace that helps ensure the safety of all involved in responding to this incident," Chevron said. Translation: we're doing this as fast as we can without screwing things up further or getting anybody else killed.

            Continuing to describe the explosion and fire as "the incident," Chevron pulled people from other operations to help handle the crisis. Building a 28,675-square-foot pad next to the burning wells for 20, 500-gallon tanks, Chevron trucked in water and obtained an emergency DEP permit to withdraw 1.25 million gallons of water daily from nearby Dunkard Creek.

            PA State Police established a half-mile perimeter around the site, while Chevron's 1500-foot perimeter around the fire zone kept everyone else presumably at a safe distance. DEP's spokesperson told the Associated Press that the wells were located in a rural area where no homes or schools are nearby. However, he said the flames burned so hot that DEP crews had to stay about 300 yards away.

            "Out of an abundance of caution," Chevron said, "we continue to monitor the air, surface waters and noise in the area for any signs of impact." Providing gas monitors to "aid responders," Chevron said on day three of the uncontrolled fire, "At this point we have no indications that this accident has created any safety risk."

            Except, of course, to Ian McKee; the injured man, still not named; and local fire companies and first responders who came to the ridge-top to help deal with the fire. Fortunately, Chevron's "thoughts and prayers" were with "all of our employees, contractors and emergency responders."  

            Chevron's thanks to the PA State Police and "our local fire departments" - and the perhaps coincidental announcement Feb. 15 of Chevron donations to fire departments in western PA, Ohio, and West Virginia - are grim reminders that it is our own communities' men and women who must put their lives on the line to protect the gas industry's well sites. It is our own first responders who have to step up.

            "The hazmat teams and volunteer fire departments in our operating areas are indispensable to the health and safety of their communities," said Trip Oliver, manager of public affairs for Chevron's Appalachian/Michigan Strategic Business Unit.

            We know that. And if gas companies are allowed to put well sites near churches, elementary schools, and residential areas, it will be a lot more than our pristine mountaintop ridges they will have to protect.

             When it happens in our neighborhoods, how long will the energy companies refuse to name the workers, the first responders, the homeowners whose property and lives are within the "incident perimeters," who may be killed?

            Ultimately the issue is not the quality of Chevron's public relations damage control. It's the risk of catastrophic damage to our homes, schools, churches, streams, ridge tops, and way of life.

Photo by Bob Donnan, used by permission, courtesy of the PA Forest Coalition

            One of our most beautiful hikes to date. We explored the most amazing ice caves under Jacoby Falls. The sounds under the frozen falls were amazing! Dripping water echoed through the caverns and water ran down the bare rock in areas. I have never experienced anything like these ice caves before! Truly a "Special Place." Great company and another great hike!

Environmentalist: any person who advocates or works to protect the air, water, animals, plants, and other natural resources from pollution or its effects.

            After an incredible hike to see Jacoby Falls in the Loyalsock State Forest the definition above came to mind and seemed very relevant. While the hike into the falls with several wonderful RDA members, a first time participant and several friendly, furry four-legged companions was beautiful, but a bit challenging in the new snow, I was totally unprepared for what we observed when we got there.

            I have enjoyed hiking for well over 50 years and cross country skiing for over 40 and enjoyed every minute of exploring the wonders of nature. However, I am struggling to find the appropriate adjective(s) to describe what my first experience with Jacob Falls in the winter was like. With the falls totally frozen over with a majestic curtain of ice, we were able to find a small opening we could squeeze through and there we were certainly in the front row of Mother Nature's church! For a nature lover, beautiful or exquisite doesn't seem to do justice to describe the numerous columns of ice, the stalactites, the stalagmites, nor the many mini-rivulets of water trickling down from them. For me it was soothing to the mind, the body and the soul. Probably the closest experience to this was my first fishing trip up through the canyon-like section of Rock Run, also in the Loyalsock State Forest. Mother Nature has gifted this area of Pennsylvania with an abundance for us and future generations to enjoy.

            Unfortunately, always in the back of my mind is the thought that so much greed and ignorance is trying to diminish these wonders by threatening them with desecration or rape of our "Mother" for some small, short term economic gain by a few. So I am a scientist, an engineer, an outdoors man and a proud environmentalist who understands what is right. And our state forests, unblemished and protected, are right!