Plum officials happy with injection well decision, preparing for appeals

After Plum’s Zoning Hearing Board rejected the application for a second injection well in the borough last week, officials say they’re happy with the decision but preparing for the legal “long haul.”

For years, Delmont-based gas company Penneco sought a zoning variance to convert a natural gas well into an injection well to dispose of waste fluids, known as brine, from oil and natural gas operations at its site along Old Leechburg Road.

In January 2022, the zoning hearing board gave its initial approval for the second injection well. But a state Commonwealth Court panel later ordered the board to reconsider the necessity of the expansion and to consider whether additional requirements protecting public health, safety and welfare apply.

In an about-face, the board unanimously voted to reject the well last Wednesday, saying in a statement Penneco “failed to demonstrate that the proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

After the meeting, Penneco Chief Operating Officer Ben Wallace said his company planned to appeal the decision, though no appeal has been filed yet.

Plum Solicitor Dayne Dice, who represented the borough throughout the public hearing process, said he was not surprised by the move.

“I don’t think anyone views this as being anywhere near done,” Dice said.

Legal arguments over the injection well, he said, could progress for years if the case proceeds from county court to Commonwealth court or beyond.

But the borough is “in it for the long haul,” according to Plum Manager David Soboslay.

He said he believes the board made the correct decision, but he “anticipated” an appeal. The process, he said, is “nothing different” from other litigated zoning requests the borough has fought.

Environmental advocacy group Protect PT, which worked with the borough during the hearing process, said it also plans to continue its efforts once an appeal hits the docket.

Protect PT focuses on fighting for the health and safety of residents in Penn-Trafford and surrounding communities while protecting them from the impacts of unconventional gas development.

Dylan Basescu, a staff attorney for Protect PT, said he is “completely ready” to continue opposing the injection well.

Penneco has until July 11 to file its appeal.