We are told by the gas industry that they want to be good neighbors. But what they say behind closed doors about us is different. Take Apex Energy’s letter to the Department of Environmental Protection late last year. Apex operates fracking wells in Westmoreland County.

When my neighbors and I objected to Apex’s proposed Draftina fracking well pad, Apex called it an “abuse of the public comment period.” This from a company that withdrew 44,856,000 gallons of water from Beaver Run Reservoir in 2023, while you and I were asked to cut back on watering our vegetables.

When my neighbors and I pointed out Apex had incurred 104 violations, they said this was “inaccurate.” “The number of violations identified by the Department does not necessarily correspond to the number of events. … A single event can relate to multiple violations.” As if a smaller number of worse incidents would be preferable.

When the word “community” appears in the document, it often appears in quotes, as if Apex disputes whether Penn Township qualifies as a community. “Apex did not ‘file a lawsuit against the community,’ ” they say. “Apex sued two governmental bodies of Penn Township.” I stand corrected.

They call my family’s demand for the clean air and water, to which we are entitled under the Pennsylvania Constitution, a “mere preference.”

I hope our elected officials will remember this the next time Apex comes before our community asking for another favor.

Bryan Reisz

Penn Township, Westmoreland County

The writer is a member of Protect PT.

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