Cumberland Times-News

Local News

February 8, 2013

Pittsburgh airport OKs $500M gas drilling deal

Consol Energy planning up to 50 wells on property

Kevin Begos Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — The Allegheny County Airport Authority approved a deal Friday with Consol Energy that could be worth $500 million for rights to drill for natural gas and oil at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Under the deal, Consol will pay a signing bonus of $50 million and then pay 18 percent royalties on future production. Officials expect the royalties to total $450 million over the next 20 years, though that figure isn’t guaranteed.

Officials think the first wells will be drilled in late 2014 or early 2015, after lengthy reviews from both the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Airport authority treasurer Dennis Davin said the FAA has detailed rules on setbacks and how the drilling can be done.

“First and foremost, we’re running an airport. The airport can’t have any disruption of service from the drilling,” Davin said.

Consol, which is based in Pittsburgh, is planning six to seven well pads on airport property and 45 to 50 wells. The closest drilling will be several thousand feet from runways.

The airport, located about 10 miles outside the city, intends to use the money from drilling to lower costs to airlines in hopes of attracting more flights, and for capital improvements. It served 20.8 million passengers at its peak in 1997 but saw that plummet after US Airways dropped it as a hub. Last year it served 8 million passengers.

At a public hearing on Thursday, county executive Rich Fitzgerald said Consol is also projected to invest $500 million in infrastructure such as roads and utilities. Fitzgerald said that work will generate local jobs, too.

 

Text Only
Local News
  • Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51 Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51

    A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea

    Piedmont Town Foreman John Shingler is facing a prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of conversion of government property Thursday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, Martinsburg, according to court documents.

    May 20, 2013

  • Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino

    As required by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Rocky Gap Casino went through final live testing of its operations Monday, with officials hoping to open casino doors for business on Wednesday.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • Airport commuter service not feasible, FSU student concludes

    A Frostburg State University student who undertook a survey about the feasibility of commuter service at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport said he does not believe the findings are favorable for the service at this time.

    May 20, 2013

  • Straight shooter Straight shooter

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Oakland house fire said deliberately set

    Fire that damaged a Sanders Lane residence Sunday was arson, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.

    May 20, 2013

  • Rally weekend Rally weekend

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • West Virginia gets reprieve from No Child Left Behind law

    West Virginia won limited freedom Monday from the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, gaining approval of its own method for identifying struggling schools and then devoting resources to improve them.

    May 20, 2013

  • Group plans black Civil War veterans’ memorial

    Soldiers in Hagerstown were among the first black men in Maryland to join the ranks of the Union during the Civil War, and were involved in the siege of Petersburg, Va., during the conflict.

    May 20, 2013

  • Burning cases, student sanctions down at WVU

    West Virginia University is seeing a decline in malicious burning cases involving students.

    May 20, 2013