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Congressman Doyle Gets $1 Million
For Effort To Fix Versailles Gas Leaks
Washington, D.C. - May 11, 2005 - U.S. Representative Mike Doyle
(PA-14) announced today that he has secured $1 million in federal
funding for a study of how to eliminate the threat to public safety presented
by natural gas leaks in the Borough of Versailles.
“These gas leaks are a serious threat to homes and businesses in Versailles,” Congressman Doyle said in announcing this accomplishment. “I’ve been working with the National Energy Technology Lab to put together a plan for finding these gas leaks and then either capping them or capturing the gas they are releasing. I’m pleased to announce that we’ve now got the funding in place to move ahead with that operation.”
“This grant’s a great thing for Versailles,” said Anita Gricar, President of the Versailles Borough Council. “This is really going to help us out.”
In the early 1900s, about 1,000 natural gas wells were drilled in a 1-square mile area that became known as the McKeesport Gas Field. Over 600 of those wells are located in the Borough of Versailles. These wells were abandoned decades ago. Some of the wells were improperly plugged, and in many cases, the steel tubing that lined the wells was retrieved and recycled during World War II to meet the country’s defense needs. As a result, natural gas is leaking through some of the old wells and collecting in dangerous concentrations in homes and businesses in Versailles.
This situation poses a serious threat to local residents. In addition to the danger posed by toxic fumes in a number of homes and businesses, there is the distinct risk of a catastrophic gas explosion as well. When high gas concentration readings are made, utility companies must discontinue gas and electric service and evacuate residents and businesses until the situation is eliminated. As a result, a number of residents and businesses have been displaced.
“I have been working on a long-term solution to this problem since I became aware of it,” Doyle added. “Unfortunately, the wells are so old that there’s not even a record of where they’re located, so first we’ll have to survey the area and identify the sources of the gas leaks. Once we’ve done that, we will be able to either seal them off or capture the gas and use it safely. I will continue to monitor the progress of this process and work to secure the funding needed to follow up on the survey and clean up this mess.”
As a result of Congressman Doyle’s efforts, $1 million for the
National Energy Technology Laboratory to carry out the Versailles gas
field survey was included in legislation passed by the House last week
and approved by the Senate last night. This legislation now goes to the
President for his signature.