This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette

March 21, 2011

Dave Cassell: Stand up against gas drilling

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Wall Street barons used the same line on past generations: Give us your timber and coal; we will bring untold wealth to West Virginia. The facts speak for themselves. The wealth went to Wall Street and the timber and coal left West Virginia.

A rosy picture for Marcellus Shale gas drilling painted by a carefully crafted West Virginia University study omitted any mention of environmental impacts. Overall statistics do indeed show job growth in the gas industry, but what about the real facts of job growth in West Virginia?

Remember remarks made by the Chesapeake Energy CEO when asked why Chesapeake doesn't employ more state residents? He said we are illiterate, uneducated and can't pass drug tests. I guess that is why Chesapeake closed its office in southern West Virginia and laid off over 200 employees.

It's no secret that Marcellus jobs are being filled by out-of-state workers. Do you really think corporations are concerned about effects this type of drilling could have on our state? When the job is done, they are gone and whatever is left behind is not their problem. Sounds all too familiar, doesn't it?

The press has characterized this issue as a game-changer. Since every "game" requires some regulation, it's about time that the referees down in Charleston began blowing their whistles and calling some fouls. Shouldn't the game be played on a level playing field?

If the process is so safe, why did lobbyists camp out in Charleston? Could it be they were hiding something, and wanted to make sure the Legislature didn't pass any regulations that would slow down drillers and protect the environment in the process? The last time I checked, the Legislature worked for us. However, it seems as if lawmakers are more concerned about keeping their political campaign contributors happy than doing what's best for their constituents. 

 A March 3 article on Marcellus Shale had a paragraph that summed up this whole thing pretty well. Sean O'Leary stated: "What we found is that there are 10 counties that have dominated the natural gas drilling industry so far. These counties have higher rates of poverty, lower income, have been losing population and have less economic diversity than the rest of the state."

If you live in one of these counties, it's too late. If you live in a county that is not yet affected, then it's time to take a stand and prevent this from happening to you.

Don't sign contracts and leases until you understand the unintended effects it could have on your family, neighbors and community. It's your land and your agreement. Get educated on the process, seek legal advice and then put together a contract that protects your rights.

Perhaps an old Cree Indian proverb says it best: "Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, will we realize that we cannot eat money."

Cassell is a Fairmont resident.