As far as we can tell, there’s been no clear reason expressed about why he did it. But does there really need to be? Anyone who risks their freedom to attack a fracking site in the Marcellus Shale, and in one evening succeeds at delaying operations for three months, is a hero to all who drink water and hate energy corporations.
Tanner Long, 21, from the Trout Run area of Lycoming County, PA, allegedly admitted to an ambitious act of vandalism on August 30, 2012, and was sentenced in late-January to six months of prison (in a “county pre-release center”) and five years probation.
The story was not heavily reported outside the local area, but you can check out a short news clip here, which includes heart warming images of overturned bulldozers at a trashed fracking site on public land. You can also send him a letter here for the time being:
Tanner J. Long #3625
Lycoming County Prison
277 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
What we know of the story: In September 2012, a $10,000 reward was offered by Brubacher Energy Services for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever vandalized construction equipment in Loyalsock State Forest.
According to Myron Brubacher, an owner of the Lancaster County company.”They basically cut the trees to block access to the road where our equipment was located.”
The vandals, who had somehow acquired keys, used pieces of equipment to damage other pieces of equipment. In total, the company reported $120,000 in damages.
“They rolled several pieces, one of our machines was rolled over on its side. They did a lot of damage,” Brubacher said. “It took three months to repair the damage.”
He added that the company has increased security since the vandalism.
Lycoming County Judge Nancy L. Butts told Long to “grow up.” While we at the EF! Newswire could see the potential for flagrant Bart Simpson-inspired immaturity when facing off with someone named Judge Butts, her honor was apparently referring to Long’s heroic vandalism being immature (as opposed any personal insult to Butts that one may have easily been tempted to utter, as we were.)
While three others reportedly watched on the night of Aug. 30, Long started heavy equipment belonging to Brubacher Energy, of Bowmansville, at a well site off Route 14 north of Trout Run.