Politics & Government

South Hills Group Praises, Scorns Whitehall Landowners Over Gas-Drilling Decisions

Sisters of St. Francis and South Hills Country Club are named.

Members of the community group South Hills Area Against Dangerous Drilling sent letters in mid-August to the owners of two sites zoned for Marcellus Shale gas drilling. 

In 2008, the  in Whitehall leased its land for the controversial practice known as , or "fracking," while in early 2011, the , also in Whitehall, pledged not to lease its land for any extractive purpose.

SHAADD's letter to the Sisters of St. Francis praised that organization for its decision, but in its letter to the country club, SHAADD expressed its concern for the future safety and property values of South Hills communities.

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"On behalf of the members of the recently formed group SHAADD," the group wrote in its letter to the Sisters of St. Francis, "we would like to take this opportunity to commend you on your decision to not permit any drilling company to explore for natural gas, coal or any other such extractive resources on your property ... 

"We applaud you for your promise to remain responsible stewards of your land and to preserve its sanctity for generations to come."

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In its letter to the country club, SHAADD wrote, "We ... are concerned and disappointed to learn that the South Hills Country Club, in 2008, chose to lease its land for the disruptive and potentially dangerous process known as high-volume slickwater hydraulic fracturing ... 

"Whitehall residents may disagree in their opinions about the issue of Marcellus Shale gas extraction in Pennsylvania broadly, but we doubt that many of them would agree that there should be a large industrial site right in the middle of our community with the potential for accidents, pollution, illness and damage."

SHAADD is a group of residents from Pittsburgh's South Hills area that are concerned about Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Formed in June 2011, its mission is to educate citizens about the potential dangers of hydraulic fracturing and natural gas extraction, and to advocate to protect communities and the environment.


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