BELLEFONTE — In 2010, there were 41 natural gas wells drilled in Centre County. In 2011, that number dropped to eight. And, in the last five years, just four of these wells were drilled in the county — none in 2013 or in 2016.
Those drastically declining numbers show how little natural gas activity is occurring in Centre County.
As a result, the Centre County Board of Commissioners, at the Jan. 31 meeting, voted to place the Centre County Natural Gas Task Force in “inactive status.”
According to Susan Benedict, chairman of the CCNGTF, since the group started in 2010, it was able to accomplish “good things” in coping with the changes and rapid development brought to rural areas of the county because of natural gas collection. However, she said because the activity has decreased, there is no need for the board of directors of CCNGTF to continue meeting.
“We think it’s time to place the group into inactive status until things in the industry pick up again,” she said.
According to Ken Hall, CCNGTF secretary, things will pick up again.
“Of course, God only knows what’s going to happen next, but I think things will pick up in the natural gas industry again here real soon,” said Hall. He said, previously, there were issues piping natural gas out of rural Centre County sites, but noted, without going into heavy detail, that problem is “being partially solved.” He also said the gas company Dominion South has become interested in Centre County’s natural gas supply.
“I’m certain this group ultimately will need to form again,” said Hall. “I’m sure we’ll be back at some point in time asking for the group to be reinstated, but for right now, we don’t think the task force is necessary.”
In other business, the commissioners:
■ Approved a contract between the county and the American Philatelic Center for the rental of Sundman Hall for a Heroin and Opiod Prevention Education Initiative outreach event March 29 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The rental fee is $280.
■ Approved a contract between the county and The HR Office to provide consulting services in regards to auditing the overtime schedule and related work scheduling process used for employees who are working in the position of telecommunicator. The contract total is $4,000.
■ Approved a contract renewal between the county and SBM Electronics for annual maintenance for the Verint Audiolog Voice Logging Equipment. The contract total is $24,850.80.
■ Approved a contract renewal between the county and Allied Mechanical and Electrical to provide preventative maintenance on the equipment room HVAC unit. The contract total is $690
■ Approved a contract between the county and Bobbie Rabuck to perform duties as an attorney for the county’s Office of Aging. The contract total is $6,840.
