Thursday, April 26, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/26/12

PA Marcellus News Digest
April 26, 2012

Releases

DEP Fines Ultra Resources Inc. $40,000 for Operating Illegal Potter County Transfer Station
Company Was Illegally Storing Raw Flowback Fluid at Fowler Well Pad
DEP Newsroom
April 26
WILLIAMSPORT -- The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Ultra Resources Inc. of Wellsboro, Tioga County, $40,000 for operating an illegal transfer station at a well pad in West Branch Township, Potter County.
DEP staff inspected the site in late February 2011 and found 47 wheelie storage tanks on-site that were holding more than 760,000 gallons of raw flowback fluid that Ultra was using for hydraulic fracturing at other area sites.
Link:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=19369&typeid=1

Marcellus Shale Coalition Adds Experienced NEPA Community Outreach Manager
Wallaby
April 24
Canonsburg, PA – The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) is pleased to announce that John L. Augustine III has joined the organization as the Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Community Outreach Manager, where he will lead the MSC’s regional education, business and outreach efforts. John comes to the MSC from the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry, where he served as Senior Director for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development since 2003.
Link:
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012042473.HTM

Sierra Club Rejects Liquefied Natural Gas Export Terminal
April 26
(full text below)
Contact: Jason Pitt, 202.675.6272

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sierra Club Rejects Liquefied Natural Gas Export Terminal

Cove Point, MD —Today the Sierra Club announced that they will reject a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Cove Point, MD.  In a unique plot twist, a prior legal settlement entered in the 1970s and later revised gives the Sierra Club the ability to reject any significant changes to the purpose or footprint of the existing Cove Point LNG import facility.

Converting the facility to accommodate LNG exports would result in major damage to the Chesapeake Bay, coastal forests, and the local economy and tourism. 

“As a regular visitor to the Bay and parks like Calvert Cliffs State Park, just north of Cove Point, I see first-hand how expanding this facility will tear into our protected forest land and destroy precious coastline,” said Dave O’Leary, Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter Chair.  “Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter is proud to be the first of Sierra Club’s chapters to reject dirty LNG exports, and we will support other chapters in their efforts to stop these dangerous projects.”

“The damage that this project would bring to the Maryland coast as well as the disastrous effects of the fracking boom on communities in states like Pennsylvania make it clear that exporting liquefied natural gas is bad news for Americans’ air, water and health,” said Sierra Club Executive Director, Michael Brune. “The Sierra Club cannot and will not support LNG exports from Cove Point, and we will reject Dominion’s proposal.”

The export of LNG will result in increased, dangerous fracking in the Marcellus Shale.  No federal agency has ever fully analyzed or disclosed these dangers to the public interest.  Sierra Club’s letter makes clear that this failure of transparency is a key reason to oppose the project.

The Sierra Club sent a letter to Dominion, today laying out the details of their rejection of the Cove Point LNG export facility.  Read it here: http://content.sierraclub.org/sites/default/files/documents/4_26_12_DCP_Cease_and_Desist_Letter.pdf


Marcellus Shale's Deadly Secrets-PA

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/25/12

PA Marcellus News Digest
April 25, 2012

Release
Constitution Pipeline Company Announces Customer Agreements
Release
April 24
TULSA, Okla.- BUSINESS WIRE--Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC, a joint development between Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ) and Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG), today announced the execution of precedent agreements for a proposed 121-mile pipeline designed to connect natural gas production in northeastern Pennsylvania with northeastern markets by spring 2015.
Link:
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012042457.HTM

Articles

Fractivists Aim for Elected Office
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 24
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/24/fractivists-aim-for-elected-office/

Where Does Pennsylvania’s Drilling Waste Go?
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
April 25
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/25/where-does-pennsylvanias-drilling-waste-go/

What Pennsylvania’s Attorney General Nominees Are Saying About Drilling
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
April 25
Link:
https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/25/what-pennsylvanias-attorney-general-nominees-are-saying-about-drilling/

Study suggests shale-gas development causing rapid landscape change
Farm and Dairy
April 24
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the Marcellus natural gas play unfolds in Pennsylvania, several trends are becoming increasingly clear, according to Penn State researchers.
First, most of the development is occurring on private land, and the greatest amount of development falls within the Susquehanna River basin.
Link:
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/study-suggests-shale-gas-development-causing-rapid-landscape-change/36642.html

Mine water eyed for fracking use
Observer-Reporter
Christie Campbell
April 25
Could the gas-extraction industry help solve the problem of mine drainage water in abandoned coal mines?
The possibility of using that water for natural gas drilling is being studied by the gas-extraction industry and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Link:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/04-25-2012-marcellus-mine-water

Augustine to aid coalition
Times Leader
Matt Hughes
April 25
CANONSBURG – The Marcellus Shale Coalition has named John L. Augustine III, formerly of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry, its community outreach coordinator for Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Link:
http://www.timesleader.com/stories/Augustine-to-aid-coalition,143094?category_id=103&town_id=1&sub_type=stories

The 'cracker' plant and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive
Post-Gazette
LEO W. GERARD, International President United Steelworkers
Opinion
April 25
A recent Post-Gazette article "Shell Plant Attracts Watchful Eyes" (March 26) raised the troubling suggestion of resistance to the proposed construction of a petrochemical "cracker" plant in Beaver County.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/the-cracker-plant-and-environmental-protection-are-not-mutually-exclusive-632950/

Act 13 is good law
Butler Eagle
Sen. Mary Jo White, chairman
Pennsylvania Senate Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee
April 24
The Butler Eagle published an article recently regarding Act 13, known as the Impact Fee. Regrettably, I found the article to be filled with misleading and factually incorrect statements, most of which were based on a misunderstanding of the new law.
Link:
http://www.butlereagle.com/article/20120424/EDITORIAL02/704249853/-1/Editorial

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/24/12


PA Marcellus News Digest
April 24, 2012

Articles

Fractured law
Lancaster Online
Intelligencer Journal
Editorial
April 23
If you ever doubted the influence of the gas drilling industry in Pennsylvania, a close look at the new gas extraction law — which went into effect last weekend — makes it clear just who calls the shots here.
While most of the attention has been directed to the law's impact fee provisions, other sections of the legislation are troubling to the extreme.

Landowners say gas companies duped them
Tribune-Review
Timothy Puko 
April 23
Dozens of landowners in Western Pennsylvania are angry about gas leases they signed years ago for as little as $3 an acre now that $3,000 an acre is a typical price, but legal experts say they face an uphill battle if they decide to sue.

Peters council hears update on drilling law challenge
Post-Gazette
Janice Crompton
April 24
Peters council members on Monday night heard an update about their multi-municipality lawsuit challenging the state's new Marcellus Shale law, including what the expected response may be from state agencies defending the new law called Act 13.

McIlhinney pushing Act 13 amendment
Philly Burbs
Gary Weckselblatt
April 24
State Sen. Chuck McIlhinney reiterated Monday he will introduce an amendment to Act 13 that exempts Bucks County municipalities from some requirements of the new natural gas drilling law.

Chesapeake Energy shareholders irate over loans by CEO
Post-Gazette
Erich Schwartzel
April 24
Chesapeake Energy, the nation's second-largest producer of natural gas, is facing the threat of lawsuits and calls for management resignation over a little-known practice that shareholders worry indicates troubled times at the major Marcellus Shale player.

Trailer park becomes Aqua America's PR problem
Inquirer
Andrew Maykuth
April 18
When Aqua America Inc. bought a 12.5-acre waterfront site in Lycoming County in February, the Bryn Mawr company acquired more than a $550,000 property to build a water project to serve Marcellus Shale natural gas interests.
It also acquired a public relations migraine.
Link: http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-18/business/31361933_1_fracking-trailer-park-anti-drillinghttp://articles.philly.com/2012-04-18/business/31361933_1_fracking-trailer-park-anti-drilling

Marcellus committee launches 'rapid response' effort
Times Online
Bill Utterback
April 21
AMBRIDGE — As nearly 100 residents walked out of a three-hour water protection presentation Saturday, Marcia Lehman was one of several people collecting fistfuls of blue volunteer cards.
“We’re getting a ton of these,” she said after the meeting in the Ambridge Area High School auditorium.

Controversy abounds over new Pennsylvania drilling law
Inquirer
Bill Reed
April 17
Natural gas drilling near homes, wastewater pits near schools, and pipelines running through parks are all allowed under the controversial Marcellus Shale drilling law that took effect Monday.

DEP citing company after drilling mud leaks intio creek
Herald Standard
Steve Ferris
April 19
A company constructing a natural gas pipeline in Greene County is facing a state citation for allegedly allowing 500 gallons of bentonite drilling mud to escape from a bore hole into a tributary of Dunkard Creek.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said it will issue a notice of violation to Equitrans for the “mess” in Garrison Fork, a small tributary in Gilmore Township, said DEP spokesman John Poister.

Hikers Asked to Track Marcellus Activity
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 23

Scarnati Aide Says Drilling Foes Hijack Act 13 Doctor Provision
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 20

Drought curbing gas drilling in Pennsylvania
Lack of rain has affected 10 companies in five counties.
Morning Call
Jeanine Prezioso
April 19
NEW YORK — Drought conditions in Pennsylvania have forced at least one natural gas driller to scale back production, as companies temporarily suspend withdrawing water needed for drilling in certain dry areas.
Talisman Energy, one of 10 companies operating in a drought-affected area, said it had scaled back drilling — but did not say by how much.

Marcellus Coalition Supports Study Using Mine Water In Fracking Operations
PA Environment Digest
April 23
Marcellus Coalition Supports Study Using Mine Water In Fracking Operations
Marcellus Shale Coalition President Kathryn Z. Klaber Wednesday highlighted conclusions released this week by the RAND Corporation in support of the use of coal mine water in hydraulic fracturing operations in the Marcellus Shale and other regional shale plays in the Appalachian Basin.
The MSC commissioned RAND report follows a roundtable hosted by RAND in late 2011, at which researchers, hydraulic fracturing operators, industry representatives, the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, legal experts, and regulatory representatives from Pennsylvania and neighboring states addressed the feasibility of using mine water for drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale gas wells.

Environmental, legal expert speaks about recent 'fracking' legislation
Lehigh Valley Live
Brown and White Staff
April 23
Michael Krancer, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), spoke and answered questions about Act 13  —a new state law establishing regulations over the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, process being used to drill natural gas out of the Marcellus Shale deposit in many northern and western Pennsylvania counties— at a town hall meeting in Packard 101 Friday.

EPA acts for cleaner air
Times-Tribune
Opinion
April 20

EPA finds arsenic in Dimock, Pa., well
Centre Daily Times
Michael Rubinkam, AP
April 20
Federal regulators released another batch of test results for the northeastern Pennsylvania village of Dimock on Friday and said that one homeowner's well was found to have a high level of arsenic.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tested the well water of scores of homes in Dimock, where a gas driller is being blamed by some residents and anti-drilling groups for polluting the aquifer.

Fracking protesters take aim at Aqua America
The Reporter
April 24
LOWER MERION - A dozen protesters stood outside the Bryn Mawr offices of Aqua America Wednesday afternoon claiming that the company is forcing people from their homes and poisoning water in Lycoming County.

Former DEP secretary: Natural gas is top energy choice
Philly Burbs 
Amanda Cregan
April 20
EXTON, Chester County — The benefits of natural gas drilling strongly outweigh its environmental impact, said former state Department of Environmental Protection Agency Secretary John Hanger.
At a special presentation before a group of Greater Philadelphia business leaders in Exton on Thursday, Hanger noted that saying “no” to gas drilling would mean saying “yes” to more oil and coal production.

Monday, April 23, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/23/12


PA Marcellus News Digest
April 23, 2012

Releases

Casey: Water Recycling Plant Could Bring Jobs to Butler County
April 4
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) urged Hydro Recovery LP to choose Butler County as a site for a water recycling facility to aid in the development of Pennsylvania’s natural gas resources.  Recent reports indicate that Hydro Recovery is considering Butler County as a possible site for a plant, which would directly create jobs in the County and spur further job creation in Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry.
Link:
http://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=dddbeec8-d1d8-4f6b-940a-7d104a2bc246

Articles

EPA Releases New Air Pollution Rules for Fracking
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 18
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued the first federal rules governing air quality for hydrofracked oil and gas wells. The new regulations stem from a lawsuit filed in 2009, which alleged the agency failed to oversee toxic emissions stemming from the growing oil and natural gas industry.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/18/epa-releases-new-air-pollution-rules-for-fracking/

Pennsylvania law on fracking chemicals worries doctors
Natural gas companies must tell health professionals what they use in drilling, but a required confidentiality agreement might leave physicians on shaky legal ground.
LA Times
Neela Banerjee
April 21
AVELLA, Pa.— About two years ago, Dr. Amy Pare began treating members of the Moten family and their neighbors from a working-class neighborhood less than half a mile from a natural gas well here.
Link:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-adv-fracking-doctors-20120422,0,6338613.story

Court keeps lawmakers, gas reps out of Nockamixon suit
Philly Burbs
Amanda Cregan
April 20
A judge has barred natural gas drilling industry representatives and top Pennsylvania lawmakers from stepping into Nockamixon's lawsuit against Act 13, the state's new gas drilling law
On Friday, a Commonwealth Court judge denied a petition by President Pro Tempore of the Senate Joseph Scarnati and Speaker of the House Sam Smith, along with Pennsylvania Oil and Gas, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources, Penneco Oil Company and Chesapeake Appalachia.
Link:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#label/Marcellus+Digest/136dfcc553db3408

This time around, gas drilling forum much less dramatic
Hundreds still against new law
wfmz
Stephen Althouse
April 19
(includes video)
NOCKAMIXON TWP., Pa. -
Unlike last week’s forum to discuss Act 13, the new Pennsylvania law addressing gas drilling, Thursday night’s version on the topic was devoid of theatrics.
Link:
http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-southeasternpa/This-time-around-gas-drilling-forum-much-less-dramatic/-/121434/11223374/-/d3n8dz/-/index.html

Shocking Conflict of Interest: Private Water Companies Partner With Fracking Lobby
Selling water to drillers, two of the nation's biggest private water utilities may soon profit from treating the wastewater.
Alternet
Sarah Pavlus
April 19
Two of the country's largest private water utility companies are participants in a massive lobbying effort to expand controversial shale gas drilling -- a heavy industrial activity that promises to enrich the water companies but may also put drinking water resources at risk.
Link:
http://www.alternet.org/story/155065/shocking_conflict_of_interest%3A_private_water_companies_partner_with_fracking_lobby?page=entire

Report criticizing Act 13 mistaken about many points
Citizens Voice
Letter to the Editor
Michael L. Krancer
April 23
The following is a letter I recently sent to Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D, Associate Director, Wilkes University, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research.
Link:
http://citizensvoice.com/opinion/letters/report-criticizing-act-13-mistaken-about-many-points-1.1303078#axzz1srcXPSaJ

Environmentalists push for further protection of Delaware River
Philly Burbs
Amanda Cregan
April 23
Efforts are under way to further protect the Delaware River from polluters.
This week, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials agreed to move forward on a petition to upgrade upper reaches of the river to an Exceptional Value status.
Link:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/palisades/environmentalists-push-for-further-protection-of-delaware-river/article_9ce5714a-0ecf-599b-a38a-29680a030b94.html

Babst Calland lawyers write the book on local Marcellus Shale development
Post-Gazette
Erich Schwartzel
April 23
A drilling operator moving into the Marcellus Shale region has to translate more than Pittsburghese.
The companies hoping to tap the lucrative natural gas below much of Pennsylvania must first navigate a thicket of legal updates, legislative development and environmental regulations above it -- all of which seem to change every day.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/keeping-up-with-shale-developments-can-be-logistically-difficult-but-this-team-does-the-homework-632687/?p=0

Delaware River Basin Commission: Still no gas drilling rules in sight
Pocono Record
Michael Sadowski
April 23
Five months after the Delaware River Basin Commission postponed a vote on proposed natural gas drilling regulations, there remains no action in sight for rules that could significantly reshape the region.
Link:
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120423/NEWS/204230309

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection rejects impaired label for Susquehanna River
Patriot-News
Jeff Frantz
April 23
Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission executive director John Arway wrote a letter to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.
A 98-mile stretch of the Susquehanna River known as one of the nation’s best places to catch bass is in trouble, he wrote.
Link:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/04/pennsylvanias_department_of_en_1.html

Making amends: Lawmakers promise to fix bad law
Philly Burbs
Editorial
April 18
Lawmakers frequently are accused of voting on long, complicated pieces of legislation they either don’t understand or haven’t read.
We can’t say how many failed to read the bill that produced Act 13, the controversial law regulating the gas-drilling industry in Pennsylvania.
Link:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/opinion/editorials/making-amends-lawmakers-promise-to-fix-bad-law/article_ad3cfa10-dedc-5c57-be39-70cb493dd415.html

Despite zoning issue, Act 13 off to a strong start
Public Opinion
Guest Essay
Joe Scarnati
April 23
When Gov. Tom Corbett signed Act 13 into law on Feb. 14, it marked the culmination of three years of work by the Legislature in crafting a comprehensive Marcellus Shale legislative package. The final legislation contained strong environmental safeguards, a mechanism for fair and predictable municipal regulation of the industry, and a robust, yet competitive, impact fee.
Link:
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/opinion/ci_20427195/po-guest-essay-despite-zoning-issue-act-13

Thursday, April 19, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/19/12

PA Marcellus News Digest
April 19, 2012

Articles

Exclusive: Pennsylvania fracking firm in lead for Philly refinery: sources
Reuters
Janet McGurty
April 2
(Reuters) - Preferred Sands LLC, a unit of a privately owned Pennsylvania-based investment firm, is seen as a possible frontrunner to buy Sunoco Inc's (SUN.N) Philadelphia refinery, two sources familiar with the bidding process said on Monday.
Link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/02/us-sunoco-philadelphia-sale-idUSBRE83116Z20120402

Anti-Fracking Activists Protest Aqua America Pumping Station Plan
CBS Philadelphia
April 18
BRYN MAWR, Pa. (CBS) — A group of activists from central Pennsylvania descended upon the Bryn Mawr headquarters of Aqua America today, to protest the company’s plans to build a pumping station to send millions of gallons of water daily to Marcellus shale operations in the Williamsport, Pa. area.
Link:
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/04/18/anti-fracking-activists-protest-aqua-america-pumping-station-plan/

Energy firm, county square off on permit
Tribune-Review
Brian Bowling
April 19
An Oklahoma energy company ignoring a Beaver County township's stop-work order claims it needs only to apply for a conditional-use permit, not to obtain one, before it can drill a Marcellus shale gas well.
The legal wrangling is the latest development in a convoluted battle between a group of landowners and Chesapeake Energy Corp., the country's second-largest producer of natural gas.
Link:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_791881.html

Gas co. disregards Pa. township order to stop work
Patriot-News
AP
April 18
DARLINGTON, Pa. (AP) — Chesapeake gas drilling company is refusing to obey a cease-and-desist order issued by a western Pennsylvania township in a dispute over local zoning laws and drilling rights.
Link:
http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/gas-co-disregards-pa-township-order-to/8e554c5d1c5e4b54aac7c44736759def

New air-quality rules issued today for Marcellus operations
Post-Gazette
Don Hopey
April 18
Marcellus Shale operations in Pennsylvania and oil and gas operations nationwide will need to reduce air pollution emissions to comply with new federal rules issued today.
The first comprehensive update in decades of regulations governing the oil and gas operations, the new rules require the drilling industry to capture air pollutants from well-completion work, including hydraulic fracturing or "fracking," pipelines, storage tanks and compressor stations.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/new-air-quality-rules-issued-today-for-marcellus-operations-631967/

Federal well site waste rules find few fans
Tribune-Review
Timothy Puko
April 19
The government's first attempt to control air pollution from natural gas drilling drew a tepid response from experts on both sides of the pollution debate.
Under regulations issued on Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency will require drillers to trap pollutants at wells, which environmentalists like, but will give them until 2015 to meet the most stringent requirements, a compromise the industry requested.
Link:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_791948.html

SRBC Suspends Water Withdrawal In 5 Counties
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
April 18
A lack of winter snowfall and a dry spring have led to drought-like conditions in Pennsylvania, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission has responded by temporarily banning water withdrawals at sites in five counties.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/18/srbc-suspends-water-withdrawal-in-5-counties/

EQT shareholders meeting disrupted, inside and out
Post-Gazette
Erich Schwartzel
April 19
(includes video)
Annual meetings of shareholders usually don't get much more exciting than the ratification of a public accounting firm. But lately, the gatherings have begun to require extra security.
That was the case Wednesday at EQT Corp., the Downtown-based energy firm that was the latest to see its annual gathering of shareholders disrupted by demonstrators both outside its headquarters and inside its conference room.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/eqt-shareholders-meeting-disrupted-inside-and-out-632016/

PUC: Feds foil training of pipe inspectors
Tribune-Review
Matthew Santoni
April 19
The state Public Utility Commission says the federal government stands in its way of training pipeline safety inspectors to keep up with growth of the natural gas industry.
The PUC last year sought a partnership with Downtown-based Equitable Gas Co. to expand a corporate training center in Jefferson Hills into a second national center for the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Link:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_791919.html

Health Law Expert Says Pa. Doctors Should Fear the New Drilling Law
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 19
A health law professor at Drexel University says the new law governing a doctor’s access to information about drilling chemicals to treat patients is both poorly drafted and incomplete.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/19/health-law-expert-says-pa-doctors-should-fear-the-new-drilling-law/

Pennsylvania Health Secretary: Act 13 Won’t Muzzle Doctors
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
April 19
The president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society has put out a statement on the new impact fee, Act 13, which contains language requiring doctors to sign nondisclosure forms, if they’re given proprietary information about chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/19/pennsylvania-health-secretary-act-13-wont-muzzle-doctors/

EPA Releases New Air Pollution Rules for Fracking
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 18
The new regulations stem from a lawsuit filed in 2009, which alleged the agency failed to oversee toxic emissions stemming from the growing oil and natural gas industry.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/18/epa-releases-new-air-pollution-rules-for-fracking/


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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Pa Marcellus News Digest 4/18/12



PA Marcellus News Digest
April 18, 2012

Release

SEVENTEEN WATER WITHDRAWALS FOR NATURAL GAS DRILLING AND OTHER USES TEMPORARILY ON HOLD TO PROTECT STREAMS
Streamflows Being Impacted by Below Normal Precipitation
SRBC Newsroom
April 18
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC
www.srbc.net) today announced that 17 separate water withdrawals approved by SRBC are temporarily suspended due to localized stream flow levels dropping throughout the Susquehanna basin.   
Link:
http://www.srbc.net/newsroom/NewsRelease.aspx?NewsReleaseID=83

Articles

Fractivists Redefine Fracking
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 17
Activists planning to demonstrate outside of the headquarters of Aqua America in Montgomery County on Wednesday say the company should hold off on the eviction of a trailer park community in order to build a frack water withdrawal site.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/17/fractivists-redefine-fracking/

Krancer Rejects Request to List Susquehanna River as “Impaired”
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
April 17
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer has rejected a request from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to list the Susquehanna River as “impaired” under the Clean Water Act. Fish and Boat Commission executive director John Arway wrote a letter to Krancer April 4, describing increased incidents of “black-spotted” fish turning up in the river.
Link:
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/04/17/krancer-rejects-request-to-list-susquehanna-river-as-impaired/

Judge hears arguments on Act 13 intervention
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
April 17
HARRISBURG -- A Commonwealth Court judge said he hopes to rule by Monday on whether the gas-drilling industry and top Republican legislators should be permitted to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the state's new Marcellus Shale law.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/judge-hears-arguments-on-act-13-intervention-631776/

Beaver County township orders Chesapeake to stop drilling on farm
Post-Gazette
Rich Lord
April 18
A Beaver County township has ordered a halt to shale gas drilling on a farm that is also a habitat for bats, saying that it violates local zoning rules.
The gas company, Chesapeake Appalachia, disputes the township's cease-and-desist order and continues work on the well.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/beaver-county-township-orders-chesapeake-to-stop-gas-drilling-on-farm-631922/

Residents question safety, oversight at meeting about natural gas compressor station explosion
Times-Tribune
Laura Legere
April 18
Link:
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/residents-question-safety-oversight-at-meeting-about-natural-gas-compressor-station-explosion-1.1301763#axzz1sKsPF3Ns

Gas drilling spurs jobs in wildlife, software
The Patriot-News
AP
April 17
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) — Before work begins on a gas well or pipeline in northern Pennsylvania, Merlin Benner or one of his colleagues walks the land looking for timber rattlesnakes, a protected species.
Link:
http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/gas-drilling-spurs-jobs-in-wildlife-software/b16d352007864479804ce8602bb058f0

All Counties with Producing Marcellus Shale Wells Adopt Impact Fee
Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
April 13
(map)
[...]With the decision of the Bradford County Commissioners this week, all 27 counties with producing shale wells have agreed to assess the fee. Another 16 counties with no Marcellus Shale wells have also adopted the fee.
Link:
http://pennbpc.org/all-counties-producing-marcellus-shale-wells-adopt-impact-fee
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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/17/12



PA Marcellus News Digest
April 17, 2012

Articles

Industry asks for more time to comply with drilling pollution mandates
Fuel Fix
Jennifer A. Dlouhy
April 12
Two of the oil industry’s leading trade groups today implored federal regulators for more time to comply with a looming rule for cutting air pollution from hydraulic fracturing and natural gas wells.
Link:
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/04/12/industry-asks-for-more-time-to-comply-with-drilling-pollution-mandates/

Public hearing addresses issues in local distribution of natural gas
Daily Review
Johnny Williams
April 12
WYSOX - A public hearing, which was organized by State Senator Gene Yaw and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, was held Wednesday morning to listen to testimony from local and industry officials about the development of natural gas as a fuel for local homes and businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Link:
http://thedailyreview.com/news/public-hearing-addresses-issues-in-local-distribution-of-natural-gas-1.1298722

Will Pennsylvania Reverse its Gag Order on Fracking Chemicals?
Mother Jones
Jaeah Lee
April 16
As the debate over a controversial "gag" provision in Pennsylvania's new natural gas law ratchets up, state legislators are considering revoking the provision altogether.
Link:
http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/04/will-pennsylvania-legislators-reverse-gag-order-fracking-chemicals

Expert says all Pa. oil, gas waste needs treatment
Fuel Fix
AP
April 16
PITTSBURGH — A former top environmental official says Pennsylvania’s successful efforts to keep Marcellus Shale wastewater away from drinking water supplies should be extended to all other oil and gas drillers.
Link:
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/04/16/expert-says-all-pa-oil-gas-waste-needs-treatment/

Safeguard air from fracking
Times-Tribune
Jeff Schmidt
Guest Columnist
April 17
As one of the natural gas industry's guinea pig states for fracking, Pennsylvania knows all too well the dangers that come with fracking. We've seen water contamination from fracking in multiple counties, compressor blowouts across the state and massive air pollution. Now, President Obama has the opportunity to take a step toward cleaning up our state's air and the gas industry's dirty practices.

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Monday, April 16, 2012

PA Marcellus News Digest 4/16/12



PA Marcellus News Digest
April 16, 2012

Articles

Shale law Act 13 means new money, more regulations
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
April 15
HARRISBURG -- When oil and gas drillers in Pennsylvania wake up on Monday, they'll be under new rules on how they deal with officials, where they can locate their operations and the price tag attached to wells.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/shale-law-act-13-means-new-money-more-regulations-631437/

House leader defends new Pa. drilling law
Statesman
Michael Rubinkam
AP
April 13
ALLENTOWN, PA. — House Speaker Sam Smith said Thursday it's "outrageous" for doctors to suggest that Pennsylvania's new Marcellus Shale law could gag them from talking to their patients about chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process.
Link:
http://www.statesman.com/news/nation/house-leader-defends-new-pa-drilling-law-2301474.html

Go beyond Act 13: Gas companies should acknowledge local needs in community compacts
Post-Gazette
John H. Quigley and Joel P. Epstein
April 15
Recent passage of amendments to Pennsylvania's Oil and Gas law -- Act 13 -- is a gateway to Pennsylvania's fourth energy wave as natural gas from shale beds succeeds a couple of centuries of coal mining, the Titusville oil and shallow gas era, and the dawn of nuclear power.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/go-beyond-act-13-gas-companies-should-acknowledge-local-needs-in-community-compacts-631389/

Public health: Back burner
Times-Tribune
Opinion
April 15
No one knows for sure whether proximity to gas drilling causes health problems, and Pennsylvania's industry-friendly government apparently intends to keep it that way. That theory seems to be that which Pennsylvanians don't know can't hurt them.
Link:
http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/public-health-back-burner-1.1300050#axzz1sDUhrjUz

State releases compressor explosion report
Times-Tribune
Laura Legere
April 14
Link:
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-releases-compressor-explosion-report-1.1299636#axzz1sDUhrjUz

Public vents at DEP's compressor hearing
Times-Tribune
Robert L. Baker
April 12
Link:
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/public-vents-at-dep-s-compressor-hearing-1.1298891#axzz1sDUhrjUz

DEP: Drilling mud spilled into Greene County creek
Tribune-Review
AP
April 13
PINE BANK -- The state Department of Environmental Protection says about 500 gallons of drilling mud spilled into a Green County stream at a pipeline project site.
Link:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_791170.html

Shale industry welcomes military skills
Post-Gazette
Molly Born
April 16
If there's one bright spot for veterans on the local job front, it's in the oil and natural gas industry.
Many military men and women logged long, tireless hours working in extreme conditions or operating heavy equipment. So it's a natural transition that they'd pursue similar work upon their return here, where the Marcellus Shale formation underlays about 60 percent of the state.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/shale-industry-welcomes-military-skills-631617/?p=0

DEP boss raps Wilkes report on drilling
Abington Journal
Matt Hughes
April 14
During a February visit to the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research at Wilkes University, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer praised the institute’s work in conducting unbiased scientific research into the environmental impact of Marcellus Shale gas drilling.
Link:
http://theabingtonjournal.com/stories/DEP-boss-raps-Wilkes-report-on-drilling,138644

Rep. George Introduces Injection Well Moratorium Bill
PA Environment Digest
April 16
Rep. Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield) Thursday said he has introduced House Bill 2350 would provide a two-year moratorium on the drilling of new deep injection wells in Pennsylvania, as well as provide better water protection for future wells after the moratorium expires.
"I have received calls and e-mails about this issue for months," Rep. George said. "People are concerned about their water and the potential dangers associated with injection wells."
House Bill 2350, known as the Injection Well Safe Water Act, was introduced today after last minute changes were implemented to reflect the recent earthquakes in Ohio that have been linked to deep injection wells.
Link:
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=22065&SubjectID=&PrintVersion=1

House Speaker: Drilling Law Chemical Disclosure Requirement One Of Strongest In Nation
PA Environment Digest
April 16
Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) released the following statement regarding the misinformation being perpetuated by some special interests regarding the chemical disclosure language in one paragraph of Act 13, the Marcellus/Utica Shale Impact law:
“Doctors will be able to provide all of the information needed to discuss any patient ailment.
Link:
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=22066&SubjectID=&PrintVersion=1

Marcellus Shale Support Firm TRC Engages Ridge Global As Strategic Advisor
PA Environment Digest
April 16
TRC Companies, Inc. has engaged Ridge Global LLC as a strategic advisor in support of business consulting in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and neighboring states. The partnership will expand relationships and teaming opportunities, and support deeper engagement and enhanced service for current and prospective TRC customers in the region.
Link:
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=22087&SubjectID=&PrintVersion=1

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