One year after admitting to criminal charges, a top natural gas company in Pennsylvania is ready to conduct drilling and fracking in a rural community where it was previously prohibited for 12 years due to water pollution.

Coterra Energy Inc. has received approval from state environmental regulators to dig 11 gas wells beneath Dimock Township, located in the northeastern corner of the state. This area is considered the most profitable section of the largest natural gas reserve in the United States, based on records of well permits examined by The Associated Press. Coterra’s drilling equipment holds the potential to extract billions of dollars’ worth of natural gas currently trapped in shale rock deep below the surface.

Some landowners, long shut out of royalties because of the state’s lengthy moratorium, can’t wait for the Houston-based drilling giant to resume production in Dimock. Other residents dread the industry’s return. They worry about truck traffic, noise and the threat of new contamination.

Coterra has yet to determine when drilling will resume. According to company representative George Stark, Coterra prioritizes safe and responsible practices in all locations. In accordance with their agreement with the state, the drilling company has pledged to monitor drinking water sources within a 3,000-foot radius of the newly drilled gas wells and implement precautions to reduce potential hazards.

Dimock, a tiny crossroads 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of the New York state line in northeastern Pennsylvania, became ground zero in a national debate over fracking — the extraction technique that spurred a boom in U.S. oil and gas drilling — after residents began reporting that methane and drilling chemicals in the water were making them sick.

A recent inquiry determined that Cabot Oil & Gas, the previous owner of Coterra, had drilled defective gas wells that resulted in uncontrolled methane leakage into the local aquifer. In 2010, Cabot was prohibited from operating in Dimock due to allegations from regulators that they had not upheld their commitment to fix or provide a new water supply. The documentary “Gasland,” which won an Emmy Award, showcased residents lighting their tap water on fire.

After a lengthy legal process and an investigation by a grand jury, the corporation admitted to one misdemeanor charge on November 29, 2022. As part of the plea deal, Coterra agreed to cover the cost of a $16 million public water system for 20 residences whose wells were affected, as well as provide temporary treatment systems for those who request them.

However, for certain residents, their initial joy about the installation of the water line was replaced with frustration upon discovering that the Department of Environmental Protection had secretly lifted the ban on gas production in Dimock. Although state officials deny any agreement with Coterra, some residents, including Victoria Switzer, feel betrayed.

Switzer, who has not been able to drink from her kitchen faucet since 2009 due to contamination found in her well, expressed dissatisfaction with the way justice was served in this situation.

Coterra is not allowed to drill within the moratorium area, which covers 9 square miles (23 square kilometers). Instead, the company intends to begin drilling outside of Dimock and then extend horizontally beneath the community. According to permit documents, some of the planned wells will stretch nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers) in length and over a mile deep, passing under the properties of over 80 individual landowners.

Landowners have discovered a large reserve of natural gas in Dimock. According to Terry Engelder, a former geologist at Penn State, this natural gas could potentially be valued at $2.5 billion to $3.8 billion. Engelder’s estimation of extensive reserves in the Marcellus Shale natural gas field in 2008 led to a surge in drilling activity in Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Fritz, the representative for the area, stated that a large majority of his constituents support the drilling of natural gas, which is a significant source of economic growth in a county that historically relied on farming, logging, and bluestone quarrying. A subsidiary of Coterra is the top employer in Susquehanna County, a mountainous area with a population of 38,000.

Fritz stated that the development of natural gas has been a blessing. He acknowledged that the residents of Dimock faced difficulties and were harmed, but he believes they have been fully compensated.

Ron Teel, a township supervisor, once had to draw water from a large plastic tank in his yard because his water pipes were clogged with sediment from Cabot’s nearby drilling operation. But Teel, who will have at least three new wells running under his land, said he’s satisfied it will be done safely this time.

He stated that providing the necessary energy for our country is a positive action, as it eliminates the need to obtain it from other countries. He believes that those who criticize this decision should instead be grateful when they use their heating and cooking appliances.

Coterra, the public water system, has agreed to cover the costs, but it will take several years before it is up and running. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania American Water Co., the company responsible for constructing and managing the water line, is facing numerous challenges in meeting the 2027 deadline.

The utility is searching for a location that is not surrounded by the dense gas well, pipeline, and other infrastructure network in the region. This is a challenging task in Susquehanna County, which boasts over 2,000 gas wells – the highest number in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the utility must convince property owners to grant access to potential sites. The utility has identified three possible locations for a new public water well.

The spokesperson for Pennsylvania American, Susan Turcmanovich, stated that they are certain that a water system can be implemented in this location and they will continue to work towards overcoming obstacles and finishing the project.

Switzer is skeptical of the proposed water line, describing it as “imaginary” and “pretend.”

The former educator who had retired from teaching was present with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro when they traveled to Susquehanna County to declare the Coterra plea deal and water line. Shapiro commended the agreement with Coterra as a positive resolution for locals who were unable to access their well water. Switzer then spoke after Shapiro, lauding him as “the advocate for the people.”

Over a year has passed since then, and she publicly condemns Shapiro and states that she would not have agreed to advocate for the deal if she had been aware of the DEP’s approval for Coterra to resume drilling.

Switzer expressed feeling deceived, as a gas well will be operating beneath her property. She described this as the most severe act of treachery she has encountered during her involvement in gas conflicts.

Last year, the attorney general’s office stated that it does not influence the DEP’s regulatory choices and does not disclose confidential details of criminal investigations to the environmental agency.

However, when regulators gave Coterra permission to return to Dimock, Democratic State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, who serves as the minority chair of the Senate environmental committee and recently visited the area, expressed her shock and disapproval.

She expressed uncertainty about the lifting of the moratorium, stating that there should be measures in place to ensure access to clean water for those who have been enduring the consequences for many years.

On Tuesday, Manuel Bonder, the spokesperson for the governor, stated that Shapiro is dedicated to the community of Dimock and is actively working towards the prompt construction of a public water line.

Bonder stated that as the attorney general, Shapiro achieved a significant resolution for Dimock residents in Pennsylvania. He also mentioned that the governor and his team have made consistent efforts to fulfill these promises.