BUTLER TWP — Rex Energy will move forward with natural gas drilling at Krendale Golf Course, a decision which has reinvigorated local groups' opposition to the well pad's placement and prompted one man to vow to fight the pad's construction in court.

The company says plans to drill on the golf course have been in the works for years now.

“The project has essentially been on hold for the last three years,” said Michael Endler, a vice president and Appalachian regional manager for Rex Energy. “We anticipate that we will be developing that project within the next 12 months.”

Endler said the project has been halted because the company needed to get the proper state permits for drilling and operating the well.

Rex Energy received those in June, he said, as well as a permit regarding erosion and sediment control. A zoning permit is the final prerequisite before site work can begin.

The company has not filed for that permit, according to township zoning officer Jessie Hines.

Endler said that once the well pad is complete, it could take from six months to a year to develop into a producing well.

“Once the wells are into production, there'll be a couple of tanks, the wells themselves and a fence around the area,” he said.

Otherwise, there would be little activity at the site.

These developments have spurred action from groups like the Section 27 Alliance, an organization dedicated to stopping companies wanting to drill in residential areas of Butler Township, and Marcellus Outreach in Butler, a group that opposes unconventional drilling or “fracking,” in general.

Drilling at Krendale has been a controversial issue for years. Butler Township commissioners approved the well pad in September 2014 by unanimous vote, despite opposition from 14 residents who spoke against the well.

One of those residents was Joseph McMurray, president of the Section 27 Alliance. He said drilling for natural gas is too dangerous for residential areas, and vowed to take legal action against Rex Energy if the company proceeds with its plans for a well pad on Krendale Golf Course.

“The primary issue with (the Krendale pad) is that it's being permitted in an area that is zoned residential,” McMurray said.

McMurray and his group teamed up with Marcellus Outreach in Butler to place an ad in the Butler Eagle last week. The ad showed an image of a one-mile radius, marked in red, around the Krendale pad where people could be evacuated from or asked to stay in their homes in case of a fire or explosion at the well pad.

The graphic highlighted the fact that two schools, Alameda Plaza, the VA complex and senior living facilities are within the one-mile radius.

They followed this with additional displays. The first involved projecting an image of a crossed out rig with the words “Not My Neighborhood” onto buildings around the city and township of Butler. McMurray said they also had volunteers hold signs at popular spots near the Krendale pad.

“We had people standing around at intersections where the one-mile zone intersected popular cross-sections,” he said.

Endler said Rex Energy works with local emergency responders to plan for well pad accidents, and goes above and beyond some state regulations by installing sound and light barriers.

“We have numerous well sites around Butler County and have a good reputation as good neighbors,” Endler said.

Butler Township Fire Marshal Larry Christy said volunteer firefighters have fought at least one well pad fire in the township in recent years. He said the first happened a few years ago, and they followed the proper procedure.

“Once they got the pump shut down, which they did remotely, they were able to put it out with some extinguishers and water,” Christy said.

He added that well sites are something volunteer fire companies have continued training for by following new information and new techniques. He said they will be ready if another well pad accident occurs.

“The guys have all had their training,” he said.

But being prepared for an accident does not mean there isn't risk, McMurray said.

“There's health and safety concerns,” he said. “At any time during the production process there's a chance of explosions.”

McMurray said he is also waiting to see how court cases in Pennsylvania play out on natural gas drilling in residential areas. He said if a court decision provides an opportunity through a generalized ruling, then all they need is the money to fight Rex over the drilling.

“If we can get financial support from the community, I feel pretty good about our case,” he said.

Engler did not comment on the implications of the lawsuit, but he said making a connection with the community is a priority. He said their role is to show residents through their actions that they can work efficiently and safely in their procedures.

“We have a history of surrounding wells that have been very productive for us,” Endler said. “We strive to be a good partner and a good neighbor in these communities.”