An energy company said protests against hydraulic fracturing in a north-central Pennsylvania state forest forced a gas drilling rig to be temporarily shut down Sunday.
Natalie Cox, spokeswoman for EQT Corp., said the Pittsburgh-based company shut down the rig in Moshannon State Forest, near Clearfield, at midday. She said the primary concern was the safety of company employees and contractors. Cox said police were at the site to maintain order.
Gloria Forouzan, of the Marcellus Protest group, said 150 protesters blocked an access road for trucks headed to the EQT rig. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a drilling method that involves pumping chemical-laced water at high pressure into the ground to release gas and oil. Environmental groups fear the process could poison water supplies. The industry says it is safe. - AP
