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Living and Working in the Heart of the Alle-Kiski Valley

“I’ve been fortunate enough to always have worked in the Alle-Kiski Valley region. This area has always been home to me, for work and pleasure." – CNX Landman Kyle Stefancik.

Pictured from left to right: Bob Sodini, Treasurer of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber from Sodini & Company, CiCi Broxi, Director of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Lynda Pozzuto, Executive Director Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Jeremy Dias, Representative from the Honorable Senator Pittman’s office, Brian Johnson, Director of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Jillian Olszewski, representative from the Honorable Abby Major’s office. Laurie Suprano, Secretary Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Nav Behl, CNX COO, Anthony Shea, Commissioner Armstrong County, Alyssa Pistininzi, Director Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Rocco Ali, Vice President of North Apollo, John Mango, Vice Chair Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Janine Adams, Chair of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, June Kilgore, Mayor of North Apollo, Marcia Defore, North Apollo Council.
Pictured from left to right: Bob Sodini, Treasurer of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber from Sodini & Company, CiCi Broxi, Director of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Lynda Pozzuto, Executive Director Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Jeremy Dias, Representative from the Honorable Senator Pittman’s office, Brian Johnson, Director of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Jillian Olszewski, representative from the Honorable Abby Major’s office. Laurie Suprano, Secretary Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Nav Behl, CNX COO, Anthony Shea, Commissioner Armstrong County, Alyssa Pistininzi, Director Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Rocco Ali, Vice President of North Apollo, John Mango, Vice Chair Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, Janine Adams, Chair of Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber, June Kilgore, Mayor of North Apollo, Marcia Defore, North Apollo Council.

By the CNX Community Relations team

As CNX increasingly focuses on its Westmoreland and Armstrong County operational footprint, we’re proud to open an office in North Apollo that will serve as a hub for local operations, employees and community activity. Friday’s ribbon cutting with the Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber cements our presence in the area while providing a space where residents, local businesses, landowners and community members can access the CNX team.

“We may be new to the Apollo neighborhood, but we are not new to working in and caring for the communities where we operate. From this new office, we hope to deepen relationships with our neighbors and ask that you come to us about any questions, concerns, or if you need anything at all,” Nav Behl, CNX Chief Operating Officer, said at the ribbon cutting.

This is exactly how we carry out our Tangible, Impactful, Local philosophy – always mindful of and responsive to the unique needs of each of our operating areas.

“I want nothing more than to see this area thrive now, and in the future,” CNX Landman and Armstrong County native, Kyle Stefancik said.

Kyle’s words mirror what CNX strives for each day as our team develops the energy and new technologies moving our region’s economy and environment forward. A company that has witnessed and participated in Appalachia’s transformation over the last 160 years, we too want nothing more than to see the region we call home flourish.

Here's more about how we deliver on those commitments:

Operational Excellence

The Alle-Kiski Valley region is a key component of our energy future, and we view our ability to operate here as a privilege. In addition to upholding a safe and compliant operating environment as we do across our footprint, we believe collaborating with local stakeholders to identify true needs within each community enables us to make a long-lasting, positive impact together with our neighbors and partners.

Achieving this goal requires not only a dedication to efficiency and innovation but also a deep respect for the unique needs and makeup of the Alle-Kiski Valley region, including safety, water management, and being an engaged community partner.

Safety and Permitting

Protecting the health and safety of our communities, the environment, our workers, and vendors requires rigorous company standards and close collaboration with regulatory bodies at all levels of government (see On the Job with Nicole Miller). Years before any construction or drilling takes place, our permitting department works with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to obtain approval on every phase of development. Pennsylvania has some of the strictest regulations in the country when it comes to natural gas and oil oversight, and CNX often exceeds these standards because of our unwavering commitment to our communities and the region we call home.

Water Protection and Conservation

While minimal, the natural gas development process does rely on water and the CNX team is committed to keeping freshwater supplies plentiful and clean. In this operating area, we have implemented enhanced groundwater protection, including deeper and thicker casings to protect the local environment. We are also taking important steps to reduce freshwater consumption through recycling and reuse of produced water and efforts like the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project. The water line project provides the potential to significantly improve area water resource resilience in northern Westmoreland County.

Being Responsive

Again, we believe having an open dialogue with landowners, residents and business partners is key to being a good neighbor in any community, and we’re constantly acting on feedback from stakeholders to ensure we’re making the community a better place to live and work.

For example, after receiving feedback from our Alle-Kiski Valley neighbors, we learned our operational lighting was impacting the local community near one of our locations. Hearing their concerns, we immediately performed a review of lighting in each operational phase and implemented a best practice to reduce the number of lights we use and when we use them, while still maintaining adequate lighting for the safety of employees and contractors. This reduces our electricity use and minimizes nighttime disruption to our neighbors. A win for all!

Radical Transparency

In addition, we’re collaborating with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) on our first-of-its-kind Radical Transparency program where air, water and chemical use data is monitored in real-time and accessible via a public website (CNXRadicalTransparency.com). This program is changing the way companies in our industry interact with their neighbors – providing a new standard for operational and data transparency, with CNX leading the way on this unique public-private collaboration.

There are currently five active locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley participating in the program. With this new collaboration, the public now has access to unambiguous, real-time information on the natural gas development in their specific area.

Alle-Kiski Valley Community Partnerships

CNX is committed to being an active community partner through outreach, volunteerism and hyper-local engagement. For example, employees attended the Historic Canal Days Festival in Saltsburg, while other employees manned a booth to answer community questions and got to participate in the iconic Great Canal Days Duck Race.

In June, CNX employees, partners and friends hit The Links in Spring Church for the CNX Foundation’s annual golf outing benefitting food pantries at schools across the region. We also recently contributed $50,000 through our CNX Dream Fields grant program to revitalize sports fields in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Apollo Area Athletic Association will use the funds to upgrade the facilities and maintain the fields, and the West Shamokin High School baseball team will use its grant money to upgrade several pieces of equipment, including batting cages, a new scoreboard, a batting turtle for home plate and wind screens around the fence.

Summer is a busy time for everyone, but if you live or find yourself in the area, please visit us at the following events:

  • CSAY Northmoreland 2024 National Night Out – August 7
  • Dayton Fair and 4H sale – August 12-17
  • Saltsburg American Legion Wing Night – July 27 and August 23
  • Indiana County Fair and 4H sale – August 26-31
  • Avonmore Harvest Jubilee – September 20 & 21

 

“Thank you to CNX for coming to North Apollo. I think we are going to have a great relationship,” Rocco Ali, Vice Chair of North Apollo Borough said. “There is an awful lot of natural resources below us and we are looking forward to putting it to use for the economic development of our region.”

As we celebrate the official opening of the North Apollo office location, we’re excited for what’s in store and as we collaborate with our neighbors to bring our vision to life: always putting the people, neighborhoods and communities of Appalachia First.

To reach the CNX Community Relations team, please call our hotline at (724) 485-4998 or email us at CommunityRelations@cnx.com.

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A CNX news hub highlighting all aspects of our Appalachia First vision. Subscribe for insights on energy innovation, advocacy, and community engagement across the region.