"Any thoughts on why they started in the coldest month of winter...seems it would be more costly then waiting for the snow to go....or are they in a rush?"

A rush? Now that's a romantic idea! They may well be and I suspect that as they are likely in negotiations as has been roughly hinted at, they need to take care of business. One also needs to keep in mind that drilling is easier in the winter as far as wetlands are concerned. I don't know however if the current drill site presents that problem though.