BUTLER TWP — About 70 people came to Butler County Community College on Monday night to learn about the shale gas industry and its effects on their lives.

Some have already signed gas well leases and some have been given contracts to sign, but all were interested in the information shared by the panel of speakers.

Lorie Jackson, senior adviser of public and government relations with XTO, said in the Appalachia area of Pennsylvania, Butler County has most concentrated shale gas activity.

She said XTO has leased 46,000 acres in the county and has built compressor stations in Jefferson and Forward townships. Jackson said XTO said a liquid processing plant under construction in the county will be built by summer.

“And in Butler, we are building infrastructure to bring the gas to market by laying miles of pipe,” she said. “We have deep roots in this community, with many of our employees with long ties.”

She said the shale gas industry provides billions in tax and permitting revenue, provides 1 million jobs statewide, boosts the economy through leases paid to landowners, and provides plentiful natural gas.

Another speaker, Bryan Swistok, a Penn State University water specialist, said there is no evidence that drinking water has been affected by shale gas drilling or extraction.

He said 3.6 million private water sources, such as drilled wells and natural springs, are used for drinking water in Pennsylvania.

Swistok said private water sources are not regulated in Pennsylvania so most people are unaware of what exists in their wells.

He said two recent studies showed that 40 percent of water wells tested before the drilling of gas wells had “significant baseline problems,” including 10 percent of the water wells that had coliform bacteria from human or animal waste.

Swistok said study participants were asked if they noticed a difference in their water after drilling, or fracking for gas, and 15 percent said yes.

“But most complaints could not be confirmed through testing,” Swistok said. “I really don’t see any increases that would suggest some dramatic effect from drilling.”

An attorney specializing in shale gas law, a Penn State Extension representative and a Northwest Bank representative from its minerals management services department also spoke.

During a time for questions, one person asked why gas well drillers do not test after drilling as well as before to compare the results. Swistok replied that it has not been required, but has “been discussed.”

He said landowners can attempt to negotiate post-drilling testing or fracking water testing into their lease contracts.

Kenny Watterson of Donegal Township has been asked to sign a gas lease, but has not yet done so. He attended the event to get information about the industry, leasing, and potential effects on drinking water.

Watterson said he was surprised to learn from Swistok how little water has been impacted by shale gas extraction.

He said of the event: “It’s a good idea. I’m glad they had it.”

Laura and Sam Edwards of Clinton Township, who regret signing a lease because they feel they were mislead and did not possess sufficient information on the industry, were skeptical of Swistok’s contention that no water has been affected by drilling or fracking.

“We’re glad we came, but there was definitely an industry spin on it,” Sam Edwards said.

The couple has attended other shale gas forums, and spoken to residents of the Woodlands in Connoquenessing Township. Many residents of that neighborhood claim their wells were contaminated by nearby gas drilling.

“We’re very concerned about health issues,” Laura Edwards said.

The Edwards’ have begun meeting with a group of neighbors who also have been asked to sign leases to discuss potential dangers and to share information of the shale gas industry.

Two more forums are planned at BC3.

On for municipal officials is from 6 to 8 p.m. today, and one for businesses, suppliers, training entities, contractors, and industry representatives. will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.