PA Marcellus Digest - April 2, 2013

PA Marcellus Digest – April 2, 2013

Electric plant hearing set for Wednesday
Times Online
April 2, 2013
Eric Poole
The state Department of Environmental Protection plans a hearing Wednesday to receive public input on a proposed natural gas-fired electric plant in North Beaver Township.
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/electric-plant-hearing-set-for-wednesday/article_0c643b64-2b88-55a3-b5c7-51f1869572fc.html

Federal Government Wants to Track PA Oil and Gas Production More Closely
State Impact
April 1, 2013
Marie Cusick
The Associated Press reports the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is looking to provide more up-to-date data about oil and gas production. Right now companies in Pennsylvania are required to submit production data every six months.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2013/04/01/federal-government-wants-to-track-pa-oil-and-gas-production-more-closely/

 

Chesapeake Looks To Rein In Costs, Market Its Marcellus Assets
State Impact
April 2, 2013
Marie Cusick
The nation’s second-largest natural gas producer, Chesapeake Energy Corp., is trying to reassure investors it can rein in costs and cover a budget shortfall. According to Reuters, the company will market acreage in the Marcellus region, in order to focus more on its core drilling operations in Texas.
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2013/04/02/chesapeake-looks-to-rein-in-costs-market-its-marcellus-assets/

Sewage Plants Struggle To Treat Wastewater Produced By Fracking Operations
Chemical & Engineering News
March 18, 2013
Leigh Krietsch Boerner
When energy companies extract natural gas trapped deep underground, they’re left with water containing high levels of pollutants, including benzene and barium. Sometimes the gas producers dispose of this contaminated water by sending it to wastewater treatment plants that deal with sewage and water from other industrial sources. But a new study suggests that the plants can’t handle this water’s high levels of contaminants: Water flowing out of the plants into the environment still has elevated levels of the chemicals from natural gas production.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/web/2013/03/Sewage-Plants-Struggle-Treat-Wastewater.html

Oil, gas reports may expand in Pa., other states
Centre Daily Times
April 1, 2013
Kevin Begos
The federal government wants to provide more frequent oil and gas production reports for Pennsylvania and other states that have seen a boom in drilling in recent years.
http://www.centredaily.com/2013/04/01/3562155/oil-and-gas-production-reporting.html#storylink=cpy

Study Benefit of Converting State Fleet to Natural Gas
Wallaby
April 1, 2013
State Sen. Tim Solobay is again urging the Department of General Services to study whether it should convert more state vehicles to run on natural gas. Solobay has reintroduced a resolution in support of a study and is asking colleagues to support it.
http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2013/2013040154.HTM

 

Good idea, but ...
Intelligencer Journal
April 2, 2013
Natural gas drillers use 5 million gallons of fresh water for every well they drill. Every day, an estimated 300 million gallons of polluted mine water drains into the state's streams and rivers, killing fish and creating dead zones.
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/833057_Good-idea--but----.html#ixzz2PLIG5sad

Closed-door meeting set on Rock Run natural gas drilling
Sun Gazette
April 2, 2013
Matt Hutchinson
A meeting being held Thursday by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about natural gas drilling in Loyalsock State Forest is being kept closed to the general public and media.
http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/591016/Closed-door-meeting-set-on-Rock-Run-natural-gas-drilling.html?nav=5011

Shale group is all hype
Citizens Voice
April 2, 2013
There has been much hype about the newly formed Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD). If anyone is wondering why you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, take a look at CSSD - it's toothless.
http://citizensvoice.com/news/shale-group-is-all-hype-1.1466191

The next DEP chief must protect our resources
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
April 2, 2013
The departure of Mr. Krancer provides an opportunity for DEP to regain the confidence of the citizens and to return to its mission to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/the-next-dep-chief-must-protect-our-resources-681732/#ixzz2PLJAj8Py

We can't depend on DEP to protect us
Herald Standard
Ken Dufalla
April 2, 2013
After more than two years of water testing, which includes 106 weeks of data collection, I have come to the following conclusions. If you expect others to carry on the fight for clean air and clean water, you are sadly mistaken. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, for changes to take place, it is up to each and every one of us.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/we-can-t-depend-on-dep-to-protect-us/article_da81682c-d2e4-57eb-a10f-cf9938770ef5.html

State College Borough Council opposes route of Penn State pipeline project after residents object
Centre Daily Times
Jessica VanderKolk
April 2, 2013
About 100 people filled the Borough Council chamber to capacity and dozens more took first-floor overflow seats Monday night to hear presentations on and voice opposition to a two-mile, 12-inch natural gas distribution pipeline planned for a route through the borough’s Highlands neighborhood.
http://www.centredaily.com/2013/04/02/3562951/state-college-borough-council.html#storylink=cpy