PA Marcellus News Digest
May 17, 2012
Release
Eureka Resources To Construct Marcellus Shale Wastewater Treatment Facility In Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Wallaby
May 17
Eureka Resources, LLC, announced today that it will construct a world-class centralized wastewater treatment facility in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County, Pa., to treat wastewater generated during development of oil and gas wells in the Marcellus and Utica Shale.
Plans for the facility include installation of Eureka's industry-leading treatment process that allows for recycling of Marcellus and Utica shale water for use at future well sites as well as a concentrated brine crystallizer to allow for beneficial reuse of valuable byproducts that can be extracted from the water.
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012051767.HTM
Wallaby
May 17
Eureka Resources, LLC, announced today that it will construct a world-class centralized wastewater treatment facility in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County, Pa., to treat wastewater generated during development of oil and gas wells in the Marcellus and Utica Shale.
Plans for the facility include installation of Eureka's industry-leading treatment process that allows for recycling of Marcellus and Utica shale water for use at future well sites as well as a concentrated brine crystallizer to allow for beneficial reuse of valuable byproducts that can be extracted from the water.
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012051767.HTM
Articles
JS man charged with illegally dumping brine in BC Twp.
Express
May 17
BEECH CREEK A Jersey Shore man has been charged by agents from the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Protection Section with illegally dumping well production water commonly known as brine - along a rural road in Beech Creek Township, said Attorney General Linda Kelly.
Link:
Express
May 17
BEECH CREEK A Jersey Shore man has been charged by agents from the Attorney General's Environmental Crimes Protection Section with illegally dumping well production water commonly known as brine - along a rural road in Beech Creek Township, said Attorney General Linda Kelly.
Link:
Opposing views on Act 13
Express
Richard A. Morris
Letter to the Editor
May 17
State Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Warren, and Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, recently presented starkly opposing views of the merits of Act 13, which amended the Oil and Gas Act. Both articles were written to persuade, neither one to inform, their readers.
The senator's piece proclaimed that Act 13 was "working." His evidence for this was that every one of the counties hosting unconventional gas wells and therefore eligible to impose a gas well fee had voted to do so. Of course they did what elected officer, presented with a new source of revenue, would vote against it? The real test of whether the legislation is effective will come when we can see what the counties and state agencies achieve with the money they receive.
Link: http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/538872/Opposing-views-on-Act-13.html?nav=5006
Express
Richard A. Morris
Letter to the Editor
May 17
State Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Warren, and Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, recently presented starkly opposing views of the merits of Act 13, which amended the Oil and Gas Act. Both articles were written to persuade, neither one to inform, their readers.
The senator's piece proclaimed that Act 13 was "working." His evidence for this was that every one of the counties hosting unconventional gas wells and therefore eligible to impose a gas well fee had voted to do so. Of course they did what elected officer, presented with a new source of revenue, would vote against it? The real test of whether the legislation is effective will come when we can see what the counties and state agencies achieve with the money they receive.
Link: http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/538872/Opposing-views-on-Act-13.html?nav=5006
Lake gas lease, bass decline topics for forum
Sun Gazette
David Thompson
May 17
The state Fish and Boat Commission's decision to enter a non-developmental gas lease at Rose Valley Lake will be one of the issues discussed during a conservation issues forum May 23 at Lycoming College.
Link: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/578372/Lake-gas-lease--bass-decline-topics-for-forum.html?nav=5011
Sun Gazette
David Thompson
May 17
The state Fish and Boat Commission's decision to enter a non-developmental gas lease at Rose Valley Lake will be one of the issues discussed during a conservation issues forum May 23 at Lycoming College.
Link: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/578372/Lake-gas-lease--bass-decline-topics-for-forum.html?nav=5011
Five Biggest Shale Interests Spent $1.3 Million During Impact Fee Debate, Records Show.
Morning Call
John L. Micek
Blog
May 17
Five of Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas drilling interests spent a staggering $1.3 million to lobby state government from January through March as legislators and the Corbett administration worked to approve a new impact fee on the industry.
Link: http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2012/05/five-biggest-shale-interests-spent-13-million-during-impact-fee-debate-records-show.html
Morning Call
John L. Micek
Blog
May 17
Five of Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas drilling interests spent a staggering $1.3 million to lobby state government from January through March as legislators and the Corbett administration worked to approve a new impact fee on the industry.
Link: http://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2012/05/five-biggest-shale-interests-spent-13-million-during-impact-fee-debate-records-show.html
Mayor lines up against Act 13 oil, gas development
Pitt Trib
Cindy Ekas
May 16
Connellsville Mayor Charles W. Matthews plans to introduce a resolution at June's council meeting supporting the lawsuit filed in Commonwealth Court opposing Act 13.
Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed the new law amending the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act that mandates unified zoning for oil and gas development in all of the state's municipalities.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/fayette/1811253-74/act-carr-council-gas-troutman-connellsville-oil-resolution-butela-health
Pitt Trib
Cindy Ekas
May 16
Connellsville Mayor Charles W. Matthews plans to introduce a resolution at June's council meeting supporting the lawsuit filed in Commonwealth Court opposing Act 13.
Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed the new law amending the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act that mandates unified zoning for oil and gas development in all of the state's municipalities.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/fayette/1811253-74/act-carr-council-gas-troutman-connellsville-oil-resolution-butela-health
Drilling Hysteria Lessens: Susquehanna River Off 10 Most Endangered Rivers List
John Hanger's Facts of The Day
Blog
May 16
After saying last year that the Susquehanna River was the Number 1 Most Endangered River in the nation, could American Rivers decision to remove entirely the Susquehanna River from its list of the 10 Most Endangered Rivers be a sign that drilling hysteria is lessening? http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/protecting-rivers/endangered-rivers/.
American Rivers put the Susquehanna River on its 2011 list, because it judged that gas drilling imperiled the Susquehanna and the drinking water it provided to 6 million people. American Rivers also had asked the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to impose a moratorium on gas drilling.
Link: http://www.johnhanger.blogspot.com/2012/05/drilling-hysteria-lessens-susquehanna.html
John Hanger's Facts of The Day
Blog
May 16
After saying last year that the Susquehanna River was the Number 1 Most Endangered River in the nation, could American Rivers decision to remove entirely the Susquehanna River from its list of the 10 Most Endangered Rivers be a sign that drilling hysteria is lessening? http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/protecting-rivers/endangered-rivers/.
American Rivers put the Susquehanna River on its 2011 list, because it judged that gas drilling imperiled the Susquehanna and the drinking water it provided to 6 million people. American Rivers also had asked the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to impose a moratorium on gas drilling.
Link: http://www.johnhanger.blogspot.com/2012/05/drilling-hysteria-lessens-susquehanna.html
Medical Records Could Yield Answers On Fracking
NPR
Jon Hamilton
May 16
A proposed study of people in northern Pennsylvania could help resolve a national debate about whether the natural gas boom is making people sick.
The study would look at detailed health histories on hundreds of thousands of people who live near the Marcellus Shale, a rock formation in which energy companies have already drilled about 5,000 natural gas wells.
Link: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/16/151762133/medical-records-could-yield-answers-on-fracking
NPR
Jon Hamilton
May 16
A proposed study of people in northern Pennsylvania could help resolve a national debate about whether the natural gas boom is making people sick.
The study would look at detailed health histories on hundreds of thousands of people who live near the Marcellus Shale, a rock formation in which energy companies have already drilled about 5,000 natural gas wells.
Link: http://www.npr.org/2012/05/16/151762133/medical-records-could-yield-answers-on-fracking
Sewickley Township OKs oil, gas deal
Pitt Trib
Stacey Federoff
May 17
Sewickley Township has entered into a five-year lease with Chevron Corp. for rights to oil and natural gas under the township's park and pool.
Supervisors approved the agreement with the energy company at their meeting Wednesday for the 72-acre property where Crabapple Park and Pool are located in Herminie.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/1811689-74/road-township-traffic-kerber-lease-property-restriction-trucks-acre-agreement
Pitt Trib
Stacey Federoff
May 17
Sewickley Township has entered into a five-year lease with Chevron Corp. for rights to oil and natural gas under the township's park and pool.
Supervisors approved the agreement with the energy company at their meeting Wednesday for the 72-acre property where Crabapple Park and Pool are located in Herminie.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/1811689-74/road-township-traffic-kerber-lease-property-restriction-trucks-acre-agreement
Krancer’s Top 5 EPA-Bashing Letters
State Impact
Scott Detrow
May 16
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/05/16/krancers-top-5-epa-bashing-letters/
State Impact
Scott Detrow
May 16
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/05/16/krancers-top-5-epa-bashing-letters/
Pennsylvania Game Commission accepting bids for leasing local game lands to gas companies
Daily Review
Johnny Williams
May 17
The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently announced that it would be accepting bids from natural gas companies to lease State Game Lands 36, which is located across Monroe and Overton Townships and consists of over 3,177 acres, for the development of natural gas drilling.
Link: http://thedailyreview.com/news/pennsylvania-game-commission-accepting-bids-for-leasing-local-game-lands-to-gas-companies-1.1316351
Daily Review
Johnny Williams
May 17
The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently announced that it would be accepting bids from natural gas companies to lease State Game Lands 36, which is located across Monroe and Overton Townships and consists of over 3,177 acres, for the development of natural gas drilling.
Link: http://thedailyreview.com/news/pennsylvania-game-commission-accepting-bids-for-leasing-local-game-lands-to-gas-companies-1.1316351
Hydraulic Fracturing In The Marcellus Shale
Diane Rehm Show
May 16
(audio available)
The Marcellus Shale which lies beneath a number of Northeastern states including Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia is thought to be one of the largest known gas fields in the world. Hydraulic fracturing techniques have allowed oil and gas companies to tap into these reserves as never before, and with such success that supplies now exceed demand, and prices are at near record lows. The operations have been a boost to local economies, but there are important environmental and health concerns yet to be addressed: Please join us to discuss natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Link: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-05-16/hydraulic-fracturing-marcellus-shale
Diane Rehm Show
May 16
(audio available)
The Marcellus Shale which lies beneath a number of Northeastern states including Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia is thought to be one of the largest known gas fields in the world. Hydraulic fracturing techniques have allowed oil and gas companies to tap into these reserves as never before, and with such success that supplies now exceed demand, and prices are at near record lows. The operations have been a boost to local economies, but there are important environmental and health concerns yet to be addressed: Please join us to discuss natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Link: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-05-16/hydraulic-fracturing-marcellus-shale
Governor Corbett Says Doctors’ Concerns Over Act 13 May Be “Moot”
State Impact
Susan Phillips
May 16
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/05/16/governor-corbett-says-doctors-concerns-over-act-13-may-be-moot/
State Impact
Susan Phillips
May 16
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/05/16/governor-corbett-says-doctors-concerns-over-act-13-may-be-moot/
Peters official concerned about group's role in crafting shale law
Post-Gazette
Janice Crompton
May 17
A Peters councilman has sent a scathing letter to the head of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, calling out the organization for publishing a "deliberately misleading" bulletin about a legal challenge to the state's new Marcellus Shale law. The letter also says the organization has "failed miserably" in its duty to protect municipalities from having zoning, planning and other rights stripped.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-west/peters-official-concerned-about-groups-role-in-crafting-shale-law-636333/
Post-Gazette
Janice Crompton
May 17
A Peters councilman has sent a scathing letter to the head of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, calling out the organization for publishing a "deliberately misleading" bulletin about a legal challenge to the state's new Marcellus Shale law. The letter also says the organization has "failed miserably" in its duty to protect municipalities from having zoning, planning and other rights stripped.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-west/peters-official-concerned-about-groups-role-in-crafting-shale-law-636333/
Gas drillers in Pa. reduce environmental violations
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
May 16
Natural-gas drillers in Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale reduced the rate of blowouts, spills and water contamination by half since 2008, according to a study based on state-agency actions.
State regulators issued environmental violations at 27 percent of the wells drilled in the first eight months of 2011, 54 percent below the full-year rate in 2008, according to the study from the University at Buffalo's Shale Resources and Society Institute, which opened last month.
Link: http://triblive.com/state/marcellusshale/1810334-74/state-environmental-gas-university-violations-according-hanger-safety-shale-2011
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
May 16
Natural-gas drillers in Pennsylvania's Marcellus shale reduced the rate of blowouts, spills and water contamination by half since 2008, according to a study based on state-agency actions.
State regulators issued environmental violations at 27 percent of the wells drilled in the first eight months of 2011, 54 percent below the full-year rate in 2008, according to the study from the University at Buffalo's Shale Resources and Society Institute, which opened last month.
Link: http://triblive.com/state/marcellusshale/1810334-74/state-environmental-gas-university-violations-according-hanger-safety-shale-2011
NEW JERSEY: Coalition wants to keep frack waste out of state
E&E News
James O'Neill, Bergen [N.J.] Record
May 17
(full text below)
Environmental, religious and other groups are leaning on the New Jersey Legislature to ban the treatment, disposal and storage of any hydraulic fracturing waste.
Although fracturing, sometimes called fracking, is banned in New Jersey, the groups say they are concerned that waste will be shipped in from Pennsylvania. The Keystone State currently allows gas companies to inject chemical-laced fluid into shale rock fissures to release trapped gas, producing a briny mix of water and chemicals that is sent either to sewage treatment facilities or to Ohio, where it is stored in underground injection wells.
"New Jersey has enough water pollution. We don't need to bring more in from other states," said Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter Director Jeff Tittel. "We need to ban fracking waste in New Jersey if we want to protect our rivers and our land from these chemicals."
Concerns about the possible impacts of fracturing waste on groundwater, as well as a link between waste storage and recent Ohio earthquakes, have prompted tougher waste transportation and injection restrictions in Ohio. Now New Jersey lawmakers are considering doing the same.
"As other states such as Pennsylvania run out of places to treat the fracking wastes, we must not allow New Jersey to become the dumping ground of the mid-Atlantic region," said Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D), who introduced a bill to bar the treatment, discharge, disposal and storage of fracking waste in the state.
State Sen. Robert Gordon (D) introduced a companion bill in his chamber.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection already has interim restrictions in place for companies that import waste from fracturing operations. In a November advisory to the industry, the department said the waste "may contain petroleum hydrocarbons from drilling fluids and elevated concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides."
Fracturing waste has not come into New Jersey so far this year, DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said (James O'Neill, Bergen [N.J.] Record, May 16).
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