Tuesday, January 15, 2013

PA Marcellus News Digest 1/15/13

 PA Marcellus News Digest
January 15, 2013

Releases

Eugene DePasquale Takes Oath as 51st Auditor General
Wallaby
Jan 15
Harrisburg – Former York County Representative Eugene DePasquale became the commonwealth’s 51st Auditor General in a ceremony at noon today.  He reaffirmed his plans to launch an audit of DEP's gas drilling water quality programs, to loud applause.
Link:
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2013/2013011567.HTM

EPA Finalizes Revisions to Clean Air Standards for Stationary Engines
Updated rule provides extensive public health protections, slashes costs of compliance
Wallaby
Jan 15
WASHINGTON – Today, in compliance with settlement agreements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized revisions to standards to reduce air pollution from stationary engines that generate electricity and power equipment at industrial, agricultural, oil and gas production, power generation and other facilities.
Link:
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2013/2013011582.HTM

CONSOL Expects More Asset Sales in 2013 as it Continues to Rebalance its Portfolio
Wallaby
PRNewswire
Jan 14
PITTSBURGH- CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) expects to invest $835 - $865 million in its coal, gas, and water businesses in 2013, after adjusting for certain expected proceeds. The table below shows the components of the expected net investment.
Link:
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2013/2013011498.HTM

Articles

Climate Scientist Backs Bill to Curb Emissions
NY Times
Jon Hurdle
Green Blog
Jan 15
Michael E. Mann, a prominent climatologist at Penn State, has thrown his support behind an effort to get Pennsylvania to do more to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.
Link:
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/category/politics-and-policy/

Environmental groups criticize proposed pollution limits on engines used in gas drilling
Emission controls in 'General Permit 5' would be too weak, opponents charge
Post-Gazette
Don Hopey
Jan 13
Pennsylvania is considering new air pollution limits for diesel- and natural gas-powered engines used in Marcellus Shale development that are stricter than those that exist now but, according to eight environmental groups, not nearly as tough as they could and should be.
Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/environmental-groups-criticize-proposed-pollution-limits-on-engines-used-in-gas-drilling-670180/

State Sen.Leach To Introduce Fracking Chemical Disclosure Bill
Philadelphia Weekly
Randy LoBasso
Blog
Jan 11
As we noted last March, Pennsylvania’s then-new shale gas law, Act 13, includes an oft-overlooked provision that would allow the state’s doctors to request information on fracking health hazards but would not allow them to share that information with anyone — including, as far as the language of the law makes clear, their patients.
Link:
http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2013/01/11/state-sen-to-introduce-fracking-chemical-disclosure-bill/

DEP Act 13 well report questioned
Observer-Reporter
Jan 11
The state Department of Environmental Protection is disputing a recent study that claims it missed thousands of unconventional gas wells as it prepared a report for the state Public Utility Commission as Act 13 was being written.
Link:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20130111/NEWS01/130119835#.UPXPUOTpeSp

Spencer: Fracking has come long way in short time
Daily Times
Gil Spencer, cheerleader for fracking
Jan 13
When Ron Terranova started delivering hydrochloric acid to fracking sites in upstate Pennsylvania four years ago it was a pretty scary business.
Link:
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/01/13/opinion/doc50f239d5d8592291396044.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Cleaner Steam Heat
Inquirer
Andrew Maykuth
Jan 14
The Center City steam loop, source of the Dickensian sidewalk vapor clouds that have warmed the soles of generations of pedestrians, does not normally evoke images of a modern energy system.
Link:
http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-14/business/36314458_1_veolia-environnement-natural-gas-steam

TOO BIZARRE:   Observers think UFOs hovered above the Eagle Ford Shale
San Antonio Express-News
Roy Bragg
Jan 15
ARTESIA WELLS — Strange things are afoot in the South Texas oil patch and in the sky above. In a region that's seen its tax rolls and traffic problems swell from the scores of new residents, could extraterrestrials be the next wave?
Link:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Of-black-gold-and-little-green-men-4189853.php

DEP outlines proposal for using acid mine drainage in ‘fracking’
Observer-Reporter
Christie Campbell
Jan 11
The use of abandoned coal mine drainage for natural gas drilling is becoming more of a possibility.
Link:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20130111/NEWS01/130119837#.UPXQUeTpeSp

Smith Township woman airs concerns over compressor station
Observer-Reporter
Aaron Kendeall
Jan 11
As construction continues on a compressor station near Route 22 in Smith Township, at least one area resident has voiced concerns that the MarkWest Liberty facility will negatively affect her life.
Link:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20130111/NEWS01/130119930#.UPXQgeTpeSp

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