Cecil board approves natural gas facility
The Cecil Township Zoning Board voted unanimously Monday to approve construction of a Marcellus Shale natural gas compressor station.
The three-member board also placed 26 conditions on MarkWest addressing air quality, noise, limiting hours heavy truck traffic can access the compressor station and other issues.
Monday’s vote to greenlight the facility ended a nearly five-year legal battle between the zoning board and MarkWest over the Denver-based company’s request in November 2010 to build a compressor station about a half-mile north of the intersection of routes 980 and 50.
The board rejected MarkWest’s application in 2011, saying it was not an “essential service” to the township.
The case eventually reached the state Commonwealth Court, which in April refused to hear an appeal by the zoning board to prevent construction of the natural gas compressor station.
At its May 17 meeting, MarkWest granted the zoning board a 30-day extension to grant a special exception to permit the compressor station to be built.
The delay gave the board time to compile the list of conditions, to which MarkWest agreed.
The board placed two additional conditions on the company at Monday’s meeting. One condition is an annual air quality test to be performed by an independent third party consultant. The board also requested MarkWest to use electric, not gas-powered engines at the compressor station.
If MarkWest proves it is unable to obtain electric power, the company may install no more than 8 gas engines.
Electric power cuts down on emissions.
“They’re using electric engines in Robinson Township,” said alternate board member Anthony Menosky Monday night. “If they’re doing it right up the street, why not do it for us, too?”
Those stipulations relieved residents who live near the proposed plant, and are concerned about the release of toxic materials.
Prior to the vote, Jonathan Kamin, an attorney representing half a dozen Cecil residents, along with a handful of residents, asked the board to stand firm on air quality and electric engines.
“This is your one and only chance to get things right, specifically to mandate the electric-run compressors. The cost of our health and safety is greater than the cost to MarkWest,” said township resident Jill Capra.
The facility will include up to eight engines and sound structures, piping, dehydration facilities, tanks and a vopor recovery unit.
The compressor station will compress and transport gas to the company’s Chartiers Township processing facility.