Lightning strikes a gas well tank in Westmoreland Co.

[femmocrat]

Hidden in an article about recent thunderstorms and power outages:

"In Derry Township, a lightning strike sparked a fire in a condensate tank at a non-Marcellus Shale CNX gas well near the intersection of state Route 982 and Laughlin Farm Road.

"The 500-gallon fiberglass tank was struck about 3:30 p.m., according to the state Department of Environmental Protection, causing a fire that burned for an hour, melting the tank and causing a spill of about 440 gallons of oily "wet gases."

"The Westmoreland County hazardous materials team used foam designed for gas fires to quell the 10-foot flames. Crews then let the fire burn itself out. Nearby residents were not affected by the fire, Westmoreland County emergency management spokesman Dan Stevens said.

"The spilled gas was contained by a dike around the tank. DEP inspectors plan to visit the site this morning."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/weather/storms-knock-out-power-ignite-gas-well-tank-645249/#ixzz21JSwcNNw

(Published July 19.)

[Gin]

1. Just watched Gasland

Hard to believe the people in the area were not affected at all.......that movie was frightening......

dear god is there nothing sacred on this planet anymore? We trash everything we need for survival just for the almighty dollar.

[femmocrat]

2. Gasland is definitely an eye-opener.

It made me really sad. I'm living in the middle of the Marcellus shale debacle. I go back and forth between outrage and depression when I read about it. And Gov. Gashole is just an enabler and in the gas companies' pockets. He is as corrupt as they are.

[Pat Riot]

3. What has happened to journalism?

"Hidden in an article..." That should have been the front page headliner of the Trib and the PG. They were careful enough to state it was a "non-Marcellus Shale CNX" - not sure if that refers to the geological feature or the company?

DEP plans to visit? Buddha help us.

I've been going from outrage to despair since the late 90's, so I know what you mean. I try to keep fighting the good fight even when I think it's futile, just for my own mental calm in knowing I did what I could.