BUTLER TWP — The township commissioners next month will consider bids from companies interested in removing Marcellus Shale natural gas and oil from under the township’s two parks.

“This could be a wonderful long-term cash flow for the township,” said township manager Ed Kirkwood.

The request for bids, which will go out within a week, will not allow companies to drill on the township properties.

“That will be strictly prohibited ... and that might mean no one is interested,” said Kirkwood. “They would have to drill from another source and (remove the gas) under the property.”

The commissioners Monday night approved advertising the inquiry. Proposals will be due and discussed Feb. 5 by the commissioners.

Kirkwood said township officials became interested in this idea now because they are aware of drilling near the two parks that might make that type of drilling possible.

Butler Township Park is at 468 S. Duffy Road, and Preston Park is at 415 S. Eberhart Road. Both have about 100 acres.

Township officials said that the nearest drilling site is at the AK Steel property at 1 Armco Drive in Lyndora.

Mike Wallner, a spokesman for AK Steel said, “The company has entered into an agreement with XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobile, to develop natural gas resources located under Butler Works. Drilling began in November 2013.

“The natural gas will be transferred via pipeline from Butler Works to an XTO processing facility. Safety and environmental responsibility are top priorities for AK Steel, XTO and ExxonMobile.”

Also on Monday, the commissioners welcomed two new members, Sam Zurzolo and Charles Nedz, who replaced Ben Simon and George Shockey.

The board elected Joe Hasychak as president and Dave Zarnick as vice president.