A June 9, 2012 story printed by Tim Puko of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review titled DEP 'keeps you in dark' about spills, officials say states “Gas drilling-related companies spilled oils, gases or chemicals about 134 times onto land and into water across Pennsylvania since Jan. 1, 2011, but the state rarely, if ever, notified the public.  By law, it doesn't have to.”

As a father, this story is particularly worrisome to me.  After a new marcellus site popped up 1,500 ft. from the playground at my 20 month-old’s daycare I called the Rex Energy Cranberry office to ask about protocol for notifying the center before any flaring took place or if anything went wrong at the site.  I also asked if there was any training that the staff could receive so than they would be more aware of early warning signs in children in the case of exposure to airborne toxins.  I was given Derek Smith’s number and told he was the regional safety officer.  I left him a few voicemails and received no response. 

About a week later a woman from the State College office called and wanted to know what my “problem” was.