County appoints gas drilling consultant

NORWICH – A Preston manufacturing entrepreneur could be given the helm to navigate what he says are the tremendous economic development opportunities for Chenango County with regards to natural gas production.

Last week, the Planning and Economic Development Committee unanimously appointed Steven Palmatier as a consultant. The committee’s action will be offered for consideration by the full board of supervisors in August.

Committee Chairperson Linda Natoli said Palmatier, who would report directly to the committee and work from an office at Commerce Chenango, was recommended by members of the Chenango County Natural Gas Committee in conjuction with Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard B. Decker, who approved of the appointment.

“A group of us, we asked ourselves, ‘Would we be ready if natural gas phenomena were to hit Chenango County?’ We decided we weren’t ready and needed a consultant to identify the potential jobs that could be an offshoot of this,” said Natoli.

The natural gas committee and members of the Chenango County Planning Board have been requesting economic development leadership over the burgeoning natural gas industry here for many months. Leasing, drilling and pipeline development has become a reality in many parts of the county, particularly in the towns of Plymouth and Smyrna where Norse Energy, Inc. of Norway is already producing natural gas through its pipelines to the Dominion in northern New York.

Commerce Chenango has been in contact with Norse executives on behalf of the county to identify potential jobs, service, lodging and training needs, President Maureen Carpenter reported to officials this week. She said the agency is posed to assist with grant applications to Empire State Development on behalf of natural gas development.

“We are ready to serve in this capacity ... if needed and maintain steady contact with our legislators and regional economic development contacts to keep them informed of the progress in this area,” stated Carpenter in her report.

However, Natoli said Palmatier was also needed to help bridge the gap between Commerce Chenango and county government.