Both supporters and opponents of hydraulic fracturing set aside their differences during Tuesday’s Athens County Commissioners meeting to break ground on preparations for the advent of the controversial drilling technique.
The Planning Strategic Advisory Committee will have residents, city officials and safety services collaborate on emergency action plans in the case of a drilling emergency as well as find a common ground that allows those interested in leasing their mineral rights to do so while protecting the environment.
The committee will be an extension of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. At the request of many anti-fracking supporters at a previous meeting, the commissioners decided citizens who both oppose and support fracking should be represented, not just city officials.
Commissioner Lenny Eliason said though the group is now in place, there are still other options that need to be discussed before forming the group completely.
“We have not yet discussed the times of the meetings or the representatives that will be on the committee,” Eliason said. “Some people we thought would be perfect for the job do not have the time to commit to it."
Pat Smith, who leased his land, said he believes everyone is on the same side of the argument environmentally.
“Protecting the environment is something we all want, my perspective is just different because I want to develop on my land and resources,” Smith said.
Many opponents of the drilling were pleasantly surprised when local leasers expressed no qualms with the resolution presented to the commissioners outlining ways to protect the county against the potential negative effects of fracking.
Mike Rinaldi said the proposal isn’t trying to end fracking all together but will hold those responsible accountable.
“We all want to do this the responsible way, the most effective way,” Rinaldi said.
Heather Cantino, one of the drafters of the resolution, said the evidence of fracking contamination is irrefutable and must be addressed by a committee like the PSAC.
“What will Athens be like if we go in (to fracking) not knowing how this will affect us?” Cantino said.“Will we let ourselves become the experiment without scientific evidence?”
Jim Hayes, who owns 2,000 acres of land in Athens, said he would not have let drilling occur in Athens for more than 40 years if he were not completely comfortable with the statistics and regulations of drilling.
“I wouldn’t let my land be passed down in my family if I thought anything bad would come of it,” Hayes said. “It’s a blessing we have something like this (committee) to help out the community.”
Despite the varying points of view on fracking’s potential effects, Christine Hughes, owner of Village Bakery, said the wide variety of people working together on this project will have a positive effect on community as a whole.
“Everyone here wants protection for everyone in the community,” Hughes said.
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