EQT Corp. and two associated companies have halted going door-to-door in Jefferson Hills for a regional seismic testing project.
“They will not proceed with anymore canvassing until they're specifically authorized,” borough planner/zoning officer Allen Cohen confirmed on Wednesday.
Cohen said an email backed up a verbal commitment from EQT, Cougar Land Services of Stafford, Texas, and Geokinetics of Houston prior to a public meeting last week.
“I think you have to hit the pause button,” said Lisa Graves-Marcucci, a former Jefferson Hills Environmental Quality Board member now living in Pleasant Hills.
Borough council president Christopher King said there is no time limit for that pause.
The three companies will hold off canvassing “until they receive feedback from the borough,” King said. “Council and staff will determine if and when to allow that.”
At a March 27 meeting, EQT intended to explain plans for a three-dimensional map of gas fields in a 68-square-mile area from Pleasant Hills to Donora.
Instead, the companies spent an hour listening to residents concerned about the use of heavy vehicles on borough roads, and 2.2-pound dynamite charges in shot holes.
Some residents spoke at Wednesday's borough council agenda workshop meeting.
Chamberlin Ridge homeowner Christina Ripley said she thinks the canvassing violated the borough's law regulating solicitations.
Borough attorney William Shimko said an offer of goods has to be involved.
“We can't control their canvassing if they are not selling something,” King said.
Laura Williams said she was offered $25 to put a line in as part of the testing. She also lives in the Chamberlin Ridge development near Thomas Jefferson High School.
“I know Range Resources has been looking at the high school so I am really worried,” Williams said.
Councilman Tracey Khalil expressed concern about how property rights might be affected. He said any agreement by a property owner to allow seismic testing would transfer to a new owner if the property is sold.
“The banks, the title companies are going to look into it,” Khalil said. “You don't want to sign if you are thinking about selling.”
Anita Barkin, a member of the task force that worked on a borough oil and gas drilling ordinance, suggested calling the task force back.
King said the borough could look into that, as well as organize a public hearing to discuss revisions in an ordinance put on hold while the state Supreme Court decides the constitutionality of Act 13, which regulates gas drilling across the state.
Shimko said the borough would have to notify Allegheny County planners before conducting such a hearing.
Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1967, or pcloonan@tribweb.com.
