Regarding “Marcellus gas boom continues” (Sept. 6, page 1), here are some numbers from the state Department of Environmental Protection website that the Butler Eagle story neglected to mention:

Of the 356 wells drilled in Butler County, only 105 have been inspected; fewer than 30 percent. Even so, these inspections have resulted in 178 violations; an average of 1.7 violations per well inspected.

Of these, Rex Energy and its subsidiary RE Energy have committed 33 and XTO, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobile has committed 22.

There have been 36 cases of failure to properly handle waste, 15 cases of industrial waste or pollution materials reaching bodies of water and six cases related to improper or defective well casing. That’s just in Butler County.

It is clear the newspaper talked to the industry’s public relations spokespeople. Did the Eagle attempt to contact any of the many organizations in that are concerned about drilling in our communities and next to our school?

Next time the Eagle reports on oil and gas in the county, I sincerely hope it chooses to run the whole story and not just rely on the industry spin.