Letter to the editor: Data will show benefits of CNX agreement

Our modern world is driven by data. Hospitals use it to predict patient needs, engineers use it to analyze traffic patterns; the examples are endless. And in Pennsylvania, a public-private partnership between state government and CNX will use real-time environmental data of natural gas development to inform the public and guide energy and environmental policy .

It’s an unprecedented approach that’s pulling support from all sides: industry, labor, environmentalists and government. These parties don’t always agree, but we are finding common ground — embracing our energy economy while maintaining healthy, thriving communities.

Unfortunately, the editorial “Is Shapiro’s voluntary agreement with CNX the right move for gas well safety?” (Nov. 5, TribLive) missed the point.

Rigorous site-level air monitoring data collected by a third party will be shared with CNX and the state Department of Environmental Protection simultaneously and, in real-time, transparently uploaded on a publicly available website alongside water quality monitoring, chemical additive and waste disclosures.

We heard community members loud and clear: The public needs trusted, fact-based information about natural gas development. CNX is opening its doors to the data because we aren’t afraid of what it will show. And CNX will use this data to improve processes to ensure we’re producing Pennsylvania energy in the most sustainable way possible.

The governor’s commitment to use the data to inform policymaking, complimented by our commitment to provide transparent operational data, reinforces everyone’s bottom line: that the benefits of natural gas remain local and continue to build up Pennsylvania communities from within.

Hayley Scott

Canonsburg

The writer is chief risk officer for CNX Resources.