Letter to the editor: Use math to set well pad setbacks
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The state of Pennsylvania is over 100 years a Keystone State.
In the 1920s, Canonsburg was called the “most radioactive town in America.” Also in the past decade, the Canon-McMillan School District was studied for three years by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the University of Pittsburgh for suspected and significant concerns of cancer clusters. Now, this same area is undergoing a big debate about the safe distance of drilling well pads from human habitation and especially from schools, hospitals and all care facilities.
So, for over 100 years, these same health issues have existed and are increasingly affecting the existential existence of these areas and the future of America.
Don’t we think it’s about time we refocus on a solution to these problem areas?
Let’s start with the mathematical calculations of the well pad setbacks being debated. A current setback is 2,000 feet from schools, hospitals and other long-term care facilities. A proposed setback is 2,500 feet. This is not just 500 feet of linear distance; it is actually equivalent to 7 million square feet when the area of the circle’s diameter and circumference is taken into account.
Do the math because “math is the language of science,” and then we just need to scientifically decide how these large areas are going to be taken care of by all of us for better health, environments, learning, play and safety.
Dennis Smiddle
Canonsburg