PA Marcellus News Digest
February 22, 2012
Special: PUC Attachments - FAQ on Act 13 (HB 1950) & letter on Act 13 (HB 1950)
Link to PUC Act 13 (HB 1950) website page: http://www.puc.state.pa.us/naturalgas/naturalgas_marcellus_Shale.aspx
Releases
PUC Provides Direction on Implementation of Impact Fee
Feb. 22
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today provided direction for local governments and other interested parties on the PUC’s implementation of the Unconventional Gas Well Impact Fee Act (Act 13).
In a Secretarial Letter issued today, the PUC provided information regarding the filing of documents with the Commission. The PUC also has established a page on its website to provide information and answer questions about Act 13. That page can be accessed by clicking on the links for Natural Gas and then Act 13 (Impact Fee). Both the Secretarial Letter and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found there.
Link: http://www.puc.state.pa.us/general/press_releases/press_releases.aspx?ShowPR=2929
DEP Fines Catalyst Energy $185,000 for Water Contamination, Erosion Violations, Spills
DEP Newsroom
Kevin Sunday
Feb. 22
The Department of Environmental Protection today announced it has fined Catalyst Energy Inc. $185,000 for a number of violations at its non-Marcellus oil and gas well operations in Forest, McKean and Warren counties.
In addition to paying a fine and taking corrective actions at their well sites, Catalyst faces restrictions on drilling, hydraulically fracturing or developing new or existing well sites.
Link: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=19275&typeid=1
Articles
Clean Air Council Says DEP Lax in Regulating Marcellus Air Pollution
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Feb. 21
The Clean Air Council has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to sanction state regulators for failing to implement the Clean Air Act when it comes to Marcellus related production.
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/02/21/clean-air-council-says-dep-lax-in-regulating-marcellus-air-pollution/
Transco pipeline work discussed
Transco will replace a 2,044-foot section and a 193-foot section of the line.
Times Leader
Sarah Hite
Feb. 22
DALLAS TWP. – The board of supervisors discussed the partial replacement of the Transco natural gas pipeline and restructuring the zoning ordinance related to natural gas development at a meeting Tuesday.
Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Transco_pipeline_work_discussed_02-22-2012.html
Inside Pennsylvania’s New Drilling Production Numbers
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
Feb. 21
What do Pennsylvania’s new Marcellus Shale well production numbers tell us? Despite falling natural gas prices, the state’s drilling industry continues to grow. The amount of gas extracted increased by 41 percent from July to December, compared to the first six months of the year. The number of producing wells went up by roughly the same amount: 36 percent.
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/02/21/inside-pennsylvanias-new-drilling-production-numbers/
State agency probes pipeline leak into Butler County creek
Tribune-Review
Timothy Puko
Feb. 22
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is investigating the leak of a clay substance into a Butler County creek from a pipeline operation.
Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_782846.html
Wyoming County to approve drilling impact fee
Times-Tribune
Pat Farnelli
Feb. 22
Wyoming County commissioners said they will enact a Marcellus Shale drilling impact fee, weeks after Gov. Tom Corbett signed the county-option fee into law.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-drilling/wyoming-county-to-approve-drilling-impact-fee-1.1275204#axzz1n9LrGDSn
Nonprofit to study Pa. gas drilling, public health
FuelFix
AP
Feb. 22
PITTSBURGH — A nonprofit group has opened an office in western Pennsylvania to help the public with health concerns over Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations.
Link: http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/02/22/nonprofit-to-study-pa-gas-drilling-public-health/
CBS News Releases 5 Minutes Of My Dimock Interview
John Hanger's Facts of The Day
Blog
Feb. 21
CBS released a 5 minute excerpt of my 30 plus minute Dimock interview. See http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7396738n&tag=mncol;lst;2
This interview is certainly better than the 5 seconds or less that appeared in the original CBS story about Dimock.
Link: http://www.johnhanger.blogspot.com/2012/02/cbs-news-releases-5-minutes-of-my.html
AP Reports: No Radiation In Pennsylvania Drinking Water
John Hanger's Facts of The Day
Blog
Feb. 21
As the first anniversary approaches of the NYT Sunday, February 27, 2011 front page article warning that Pennsylvania's drinking waters were being contaminated by radiation from drilling wastewater, the Associated Press reported that Pennsylvania's drinking waters are not glowing.
Link: http://www.johnhanger.blogspot.com/2012/02/ap-reports-that-no-radiation-in.html
Environmental Regulating With the Corbett DEP
Keystone Politics
Feb. 21
Obviously the Corbett administration was going to install coal dudes who don’t believe in environmental regulations to enforce the environmental regulations, but it’s still pretty disappointing to see it confirmed: State General Counsel Stephen Aichele appointed Mr. Darr regional counsel effective Sept. 27 at an annual salary of $105,018, according to state employment documents the Post-Gazette obtained through a Right-To-Know Law request.
Link: http://www.keystonepolitics.com/2012/02/environmental-regulating-with-the-corbett-dep/
Cabot, Williams announce new Marcellus pipeline
Centre Daily Times
AP
Feb. 21
ALLENTOWN, PA. — A natural gas driller and a pipeline company are proposing to build a new pipeline to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale to the New York and New England markets.
Link: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/02/21/3098531/cabot-williams-announce-new-marcellus.html
New gas law dilutes St. Marys ordinance
Courier Express
JoAnn Seltzer
Feb. 21
Changes to the oil and gas regulations at the state level mean regulations in St. Marys' ordinance may not be enforceable.
During Monday's city council meeting, zoning Officer Matt Pfeuffer said Gov. Tom Corbett signed House Bill 1950 into law. It changes the way oil and gas wells are treated and imposes an impact fee on non-traditional wells.
Link: http://www.thecourierexpress.com/courierexpresscourierexpresslocal/950834-349/new-gas-law-dilutesst.-marys-ordinance.html
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