Pocono News Section

Gas drilling headed to Luzerne County

Gas drilling headed to Luzerne County - Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 04:11AM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Thursday May 06 2010
Natural gas drilling has changed the landscape of counties like Susquehanna and Bradford.

Now, gas and energy companies are eyeing Luzerne County's Back Mountain.

More than 25 thousand acres in northern and western Luzerne County have been leased.

Encana Oil and Gas and Whitmar Exploration are teaming up and signing leases for permission to drill on thousands of acres.

Homeowners have mixed opinions.

Antoinette Jenkins of Lehman Township said, "I think the country is too dependent for our energy from other countries. I think we should be as independent as we possible can be."

Edward Powell of Lehman Township said, "What if this damages our main source of water which is well water. comes out of the ground, comes out of the reservoirs. There's always going to be an accident."

The DEP has only approved two permits to drill.

This leasing process is only the beginning in a long process that will bring the gas companies to Luzerne County.