Attempt at sarcasm was a mistake
Recent news and opinion pieces raise important concerns related to natural gas development. Any concerns that a stakeholder has about responsible gas development demand our attention, our time and our commitment.
As a recent editorial in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette remarked, a Range employee offered a “quip” at a recent meeting about where gas wells are placed. As the person who made the remarks, let me apologize, as my attempt to interject sarcasm was clearly a mistake.
As someone who has dedicated my professional life to environmental law and regulation in Pennsylvania, including having had the honor of serving as chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, I and my colleagues at Range Resources are keenly aware that site location – or where we drill for gas wells – is an important issue. Topography, geology, setback and zoning regulations, where we have leases, and individual lease terms all affect where we place our facilities. As I made clear in response to a follow-up question about my remarks, within those factors we always work hard to create the biggest buffer between our operations and all residents.
Beyond that, we aim to work closely with communities to keep them informed, to mitigate inconveniences and alleviate concerns through in-person engagement; through local township processes; and through public outreach, including engagement through community advisory panels in our core operating area. Range Resources also participates with various nongovernmental organizations, our peers, and universities on working groups that specifically and critically examine drilling-location siting. Above all else, we realize that there is always room for improvement.
It is unfortunate that my poor choice of words could call into question the unwavering commitment we have at Range Resources in working with residents regardless of their economic means.
I hope that the way I attempted to communicate what we do does not divert attention away from the hard work that the hundreds of men and women at Range Resources perform to be good citizens and neighbors each and every day.
Terry R. Bossert
Canonsburg
Bossert is the vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs for Range Resources.