Doddridge County WV
WDTV.COM 5 News: Doddridge County Commission Denies EQT Drilling Permit
The hearing between the Doddridge County Commission and EQT took place at about 4:00 Friday afternoon. Immediately after the meeting started, the commissioners went into an executive session. After about an hour, the commissioners denied the EQT’s application for a floodplain permit.
The battle between the County and the EQT drilling company started in May after a permit was given to EQT and then later revoked. The permit allowed them to drill 12 natural gas wells within acres of each other on private property. EQT then filed a lawsuit against the County when the permit was revoked, after the floodplain manager realized homes and livestock would be endangered.
Also, FEMA got wind that the permit was granted without proper inspection. The landowners said they were afraid FEMA wouldn’t help the county if drilling was done on a floodplain. EQT says the floodplain manager didn’t have the authority to revoke the permit. EQT said they have already spent thousands of dollars in this protect and waiting is just costing them more.
In July, Doddridge County ruled to let their original decision stand, to keep the floodplain permit rather than give it back to EQT. Later, Doddridge County then agreed to let EQT present their information again to see if they are approved for the permit.
Over the past few months many meetings have taken place involving EQT, The Doddridge County Commission, Doddridge County FloodPlain Appeals Board, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
The commission and EQT will meet again on October 11th in court to confirm the final decision.
See also the previous posted article expanding on this issue.
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The Doddridge County Commission has acted responsibly and very much in the best interests of the county residents. I realize that doing so, in the face of lawsuits and the deep pockets of an opposing corporation, takes determination and courage. Many of us in Monroe County have been waging a similar battle: to keep fracking out, because we are a karst area. The court must uphold the commission’s decision; it is a sound and appropriate move to deny permitting which would allow a process to proceed when there is the possibility of widespread harm occurring. You of Doddridge County remain in my thoughts.