NBC: Danger Beneath: 'Fracking' Gas, Oil Pipes Threaten Rural Residents

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Complete article at: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/danger-beneath-fracking-gas-oil-pipes-threaten-rural-residents-n187021

The Marcellus shale field, which extends across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, accounts for 40 percent of the shale gas being produced in the U.S., according to the federal Energy Information Administration. Much of that is coming from the more than 7,000 wells drilled in Pennsylvania since 2004. Infrastructure to move it lags behind, so industry representatives arrive daily at the doors of rural Pennsylvanians, pipeline contracts in hand.

The Gobles say when they signed the contract for about $25,000, they were told the pipe would be laid some distance from their house. Then plans changed. The company ultimately placed it so it skirted the corner of the house and bent in an L-shape behind it. There was nothing the Gobles could do.

“The pipeline people might have been good to other people, but we don’t agree with what they did down here,” said Cheryl Goble. “I thought it was a trick.”

Chief Gathering, the company that built to the pipeline, referred NBC News’ request for comment to Regency Energy Partners, which purchased the line earlier this year. Regency did not address the Gobles’ claims directly, but said the company was "committed to the safe construction and operation of its assets" and works "honestly and respectfully with landowners."

[femmocrat]

1. People don't read those contracts.

They see dollar signs and are too eager to sign. On the day the "landman" came to our neighborhood, every neighbor signed that day, except us. They won't even leave a copy of the lease for you to examine. The gas companies are totally unethical. Always read the small print, and then have an attorney read it!

[enough]

2. It's incredible, but true. I see stories like this in our local agricultural newspaper.

People seem to think that if "the man told us" this or that, that's the way it was going to be. They seem to trust whatever they hear from the guy with the check, will sign a contract without even showing it to a lawyer.

Then later, no recourse.

[Champion Jack]

3. Greed and ignorance is a powerful force