Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-26
Gas Storage Is Held
No Threat to Water
Prince Georges
Assured Thut
Plon Is Safe

1AAACC 1cOTSeS
residents today have the assur-
ance Of Joseph T. Singewald, di-
rector of Maryland's Department
OF Geology, Mines and Water Re-
sources, that underground stor-
age OF natural gas would have no
effect on water supplies.
"You need feel no concern as
to the utilization of water SUD-
plies Of the gas storage area"
Mr.. Singewald declared in Upper
Marlboro yesterday. He spoke at
the initial meeting of a special
committee of the Maryland Farm
Bureau.
Referring to the Washington
Gas Light Co.'S plan to store
natural gas 1000 to 1900 feet
under ground in the Brandywine
area, Mr.. Singewald said:
There is no possibility of gas
coming in contact with water.
therefore, there is no danger of
contamination"
In other sections of the coun-
try, he said, people for many
years used water from strata
over gas fields and never knew
gas was there. With that in
mind. there is no reason to pre-
dict any adverse effects here"
Others in Agreement
Mr.. Singewald's views agreed
with opinions expressed by gas
company president Everett j.
Boothby, senior vice president
Howard B. Moves and Douglas
Ball. a Denver oil and gas con-
sultant.
The State geologist gave his
opinion at the request of Dudley
Smith. president of the Prince
Georges County Farm Bureau,
who was named chairman of the
special committee.
Other members of the group,
all presidents of county farm
bureaus, are Victor Sulin, Anne
Arundel: T. Reid Hutchins, Call
vert; Walter w. Bowling, jr.,
Charles; John M. Hodges, st.
Marys; ]. Herbert Carter, Queen
Anne. and j. Marion Bryan.
Talbot.
Mr.. Smith explained that his
committee invited gas company
and State officials to the meeting
as a first move in obtaining in
formation on which to base rec-
concentrations to the State Farm
Bureau.
The committee scheduled a
meeting at 1880 pm. February 4
in the Police Court room of the
Upper Marlboro courthouse to
discuss the matter.
George w. Wentz, owner of a
300-acre farm in the section, at
tended the committee meeting
but withheld comment until the
February 4 session.
Several Fears Expressed
Mr.. Wentz said privately that
the principal objections of some
citizens have stemmed from fears
of water contamination and that
the project might tend to give
the Brandywine community the
aspect of a "gashouse area"
Others believe there is risk Of
explosion or fire from gas they
say may seep to the surface.
Mr.. Boothhv told the commit
tee that his company contem-
plates underground storage in a
move to reduce its cost for gas
piped from Texas fields. The
companys rates are baseo on
consumption on peak day each
year, normally the coolest day.
If gas can be storeo UNDER
ground in summer for winter
use, purchase costs can be les
sened and consumer rates adj
justed accordingly. he said.
The contemplated storage
area is two miles wide and six
miles long under 5000 to 1000
acres.
Gas Pumped In
Machinery in a surface sta
ton would pump gas into the
sand, the gas replacing water
forced back to form a seal for
the sides of the storages space.
Mr.. Boothby said the company
expects to decide early in Feb
ruary whether to again ask the
Legislature for underground
condemnation rights. A previous
request was denied by the Gen.
eral Assembly.
The company now owns or has
options on 70 per cent of the
needed land but is uncertain as
to whether the remainder can be
obtained through negotiation.
CT H. c.