PA Marcellus News Digest 9/20/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 20, 2012

Articles

Philly Protesters Drown Out A Calm Tom Corbett
PoliticsPA
Kelly Cernetich
Sept 20
(includes video)
Voters wanted to talk to Gov. Tom Corbett about education and welfare funding, Voter ID and the reason why he was in Philadelphia in the first place, Marcellus Shale drilling.
Link: http://www.politicspa.com/philly-protesters-drown-out-a-calm-tom-corbett/41454/

Governor, officials speak to Marcellus Shale conference
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Sept 20
PHILADELPHIA -- Republican Gov. Tom Corbett thanked natural gas drillers for their work and for the new state fee dollars they began paying earlier this month, as he spoke to an industry conference here this morning.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/governor-officials-speak-to-marcellus-shale-conference-654218/

Pittsburgh rethinks fracking ban
New York Post
Abby W. Schachter
Sept 20
Here's the truth about enacting a ban on hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") in your city or town. It may get you some headlines but long-term it is bad for business, all business. Just ask the good folks who make up the city council in Pittsburgh, who are all Democrats by the way. While much of Pennsylvania has been enjoying economic growth and lower than average unemployment because of the natural gas boom from the Marcellus Shale, the city of Pittsburgh enacted a ban on fracking two years ago that they've now come to regret.
Link: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/capitol/pittsburgh_rethinks_fracking_ban_QoyPPTO8iYQNEs5BTQpteO

'Pennsylvania is getting it right' with Marcellus Shale, Corbett says
Patriot-News
AP
Sept 20
PHILADELPHIA — Gov. Tom Corbett today attacked anti-drilling activists as the “unreasoning opposition” who accept the nation can land a space vehicle on Mars but don’t believe energy companies can safely harvest gas a mile under the earth’s surface.
Link: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/09/pennsylvania_is_getting_it_rig.html#incart_river_default

Attorneys for Act 13 Challengers Lay Out Argument for Supreme Court
The brief was filed this week.
Canon McMillan Patch
Amanda Gillooly
Sept 20
Attorneys for the group of municipalities, medical doctor and nonprofit challenging the state’s new law governing Marcellus Shale play filed a brief with the state Supreme Court laying out its argument for why it should affirm a Commonwealth Court’s ruling that portions of Act 13 are unconstitutional.
Link: http://canon-mcmillan.patch.com/articles/attorneys-for-act-13-challengers-lay-out-argument-for-supreme-court

Feds to fund school’s gas job training by millions
Sun-Gazette
Joseph Stender
Sept 20
Pennsylvania College of Technology and its partners in a consortium called ShaleNET U.S., a Marcellus Shale workforce training program started in 2010, received a $14.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Wednesday.
Link: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/583473/Feds-to-fund-school-s-gas-job-training-by-millions.html?nav=5011

West Virginia Gas Drilling Opponents Call For Halt To New Development
HuffPost
AP
Sept 11
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia environmental groups are calling for a moratorium on new drilling for natural gas.
The 10 groups are chiefly targeting development of the Marcellus shale deposit. But they say their concerns extend to any natural gas drilling.
They outlined their concerns Tuesday at a state Capitol press conference.
Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/11/west-virginia-gas-drilling_n_1874879.html?utm_hp_ref=green

Companies seek to harness shale gas
Charleston Daily Mail
George Hohmann
Sept 20
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- South Charleston-based Aither Chemicals isn't the only startup with hopes of converting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale into a variety of widely used chemicals.
Link: http://www.dailymail.com/Business/201209190163

Pittsburgh airport seeking bids for gas drilling
Bloomberg Business
AP
Sept 20
IMPERIAL, Pa. (AP) — The Allegheny County Airport Authority is advertising for bids from companies that want to lease the right to drill for natural gas at Pittsburgh International Airport.
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-09-20/pittsburgh-airport-seeking-bids-for-gas-drilling

Shale gas insiders and outsiders
Pittsburgh Business Times
Anya Litvak
Blog

Sept 20

As the Shale Gas Outrage protest buzzed outside of the Philadelphia Convention Center, inside XTO President Jack Williams told a lunchtime crowd that “public confidence is not as strong as it could be.”
Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/energy/2012/09/shale-gas-insiders-and-outsiders.html

Corbett hails promise of Marcellus Shale
Inquirer
Andrew Maykuth
Sept 20
The Shale Gas Insight conference began Thursday morning in Philadelphia with Gov. Corbett lauding the natural gas industry for spurring economic growth by developing Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale.
Link: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/breaking/20120920_Corbett_hails_promise_of_Marcellus_Shale.html

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/19/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 19, 2012

Articles

First deep-shale well drilled in Erie, Crawford
Erie Times-News
Jim Martin
Sept 19
[...]Lippert 1H, located at 6321 Pettis Road, was drilled this summer into the Utica Shale to a depth of 7,236 feet, before crews drilled nearly another mile horizontally.
Link: http://www.goerie.com/article/20120919/NEWS02/309189889/First-deep-shale-well-drilled-in-Erie-Crawford

Drilling Opponents Target Penn State’s Academic Accreditation
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Sept 18
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/18/drilling-opponents-target-penn-states-academic-accreditation/

Groups Show Support for Communities Challenging State's Marcellus Shale Law
Several groups filed briefs in support of the group of communities, medical doctor and nonprofit that have challenged Act 13.
Cranberry Patch
Amanda Gillooly
Sept 18
A group of environmental and community planning organizations, as well as government entities, filed a series of Amicus Briefs with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today in support of communities’ rights to making zoning decisions about Marcellus Shale play within their borders.
Link: http://cranberry.patch.com/articles/groups-show-support-for-communities-challenging-states-marcellus-shale-law-98b39ca5

Shale-gas industry pros - and protesters - will converge in Philly
Inquirer
Andrew Maykuth
Sept 19
The Marcellus Shale natural-gas industry has not exactly enjoyed a warm civic embrace in Philadelphia, where City Council last year famously called for a moratorium on drilling because of environmental worries.
Link: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20120919_Shale-gas_industry_pros_-_and_protesters_-_will_converge_in_Phila_.html

Protect the forest
York Daily Record
Richard A. Martin
Coordinator, PA Forest Coalition
Letter to the Editor
Sept 17
Our state forest: If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.
DCNR's predecessor, the Bureau of Forests & Waters, purchased 18,870 acres of land in eastern Lycoming County in 1933. The owner of the land retained the mineral rights and put a clause in the deed which granted him access to the land for 50 years. That right of access expired in 1983.
Link: http://www.ydr.com/letters/ci_21563729/protect-forest

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/18/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 18, 2012

Release

What They’re Saying: “An Energy Revolution Led by Clean, Affordable Shale Gas”
Wallaby
Sept 18
Pittsburgh, Pa. – The safe, tightly-regulated development of America’s abundant natural gas resources – particularly from the Marcellus Shale – continues to usher in broad-based job creation, more affordable energy costs for consumers, small businesses and manufacturers and an all-around stronger economy. At the same time, clean-burning American natural gas is being increasingly leveraged to power our growing transportation needs, all while protecting our environment. Here’s what they’re saying:
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012091881.HTM

Articles

$50M slated for upgrades to Monessen coke plant
Observer-Reporter
Sept 18
ArcelorMittal said Monday it will spend $50 million to upgrade and restart a coke plant in Monessen, adding more than 100 jobs in the process.
Link: http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/Monessen-plant

Politics, environmental, global trade issues complicate natural gas exportation
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
Sept 18
LUSBY, Md. — [...]
Though the facility named Cove Point is nearly deserted now, the energy company said it spent $200 million to buy it a decade ago and another $800 million so Cove Point could distribute natural gas to the Northeast. Since then, domestic shale gas supplies have flooded the U.S. market and the import business has virtually disappeared.
Dominion wants to save its investment with federal permission to start piping gas from Pennsylvania and Appalachia to Cove Point, load it on tankers and ship it abroad.
Link: http://triblive.com/home/2562790-74/gas-natural-cove-energy-dominion-export-market-terminal-terminals-company#axzz26jy7R3cP

What They’re Saying: “An Energy Revolution Led by Clean, Affordable Shale Gas”
NorthcentralPA.com
Sept 18
Pittsburgh, Pa. – The safe, tightly-regulated development of America’s abundant natural gas resources – particularly from the Marcellus Shale – continues to usher in broad-based job creation, more affordable energy costs for consumers, small businesses and manufacturers and an all-around stronger economy. At the same time, clean-burning American natural gas is being increasingly leveraged to power our growing transportation needs, all while protecting our environment. Here’s what they’re saying:
Link: http://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2012-09-18_what-they%E2%80%99re-saying-%E2%80%9C-energy-revolution-led-clean-affordable-shale-gas%E2%80%9D-0

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/17/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 27, 2012

Articles

Corbett transparency may have its limits / Chesapeake's McClendon campaign contribution linked to Voter ID issue 
Inquirer
Bob Warner
Sept 16
When he was running for governor two years ago, Tom Corbett's position papers said he would provide "an open, transparent, accountable and trustworthy government."

Towards the end of this article, you will see the connection between the Voter ID issue and the Chesapeake/McClendon campaign contribution that put Corbett over the top, when he ran the first time for Attorney General. 
Link: http://articles.philly.com/2012-09-16/news/33881328_1_drinker-tom-corbett-state-carol-aichele

City backs local control of shale drilling regulations
Post-Gazette
Timothy McNulty
Sept 15
Pittsburgh City Council will file a legal brief next week supporting the Commonwealth Court decision throwing out statewide zoning for Marcellus Shale drilling, which will be weighed by the state Supreme Court next month.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/city-backs-local-control-of-shale-drilling-regulations-653376/

Cracker plant backers plan meeting on jobs, economic effects
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
Sept 13
Boosters for a new petrochemical plant in Beaver County said they will host a public meeting Tuesday to discuss their new analysis of job creation and economic impact from the proposed project.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/2598985-74/plant-boosters-build-company-ethane-officials-project-economic-jobs-meeting#axzz26RyOUcga

Rendell Says He Supports a Drilling Moratorium Along the Delaware
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Sept 14
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/14/rendell-says-he-supports-a-drilling-moratorium-along-the-delaware/

County’s share of drilling fee not a windfall
Times Observer
Ben Klein
Sept 14
The new fees on unconventional gas wells have raised so far over $200 million for the Commonwealth, but what that means for Warren County remains to be seen.
Link: http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/559618/County-s-share-of-drilling-fee-not-a-windfall.html?nav=5006

The gas impact fee: Flawed formula, but correct approach
Sun Gazette
Editorial
Sept 14
In all, $200 million.
That's how much has been raised by Pennsylvania's new impact fee on gas drillers.
That sounds like a lot of money.
But let's break it down.
Link: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/583231/The-gas-impact-fee--Flawed-formula--but-correct-approach.html?nav=5004

Delaware River Basin Commission should take clear stance against fracking
Editorial
Times of Trenton
Sept 14
The people spoke loud and clear this week outside a meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission.
Signs, signatures on petitions and the presence of a dozen activists at the session in Ewing enunciated the opposition to any consideration of allowing drilling for natural gas in the river’s watershed.
Link: http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2012/09/editorial_delaware_river_basin_2.html

A Company’s Chemical-Free Fracking Laced With Myth
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Sept 13
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/13/a-companys-chemical-free-fracking-laced-with-myth/

Pennsylvania Collects An Additional $4 Million In Impact Fee Revenue
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
Sept 13
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/13/pennsylvania-collects-4-more-in-impact-fee-revenue/

PA Could Be Raising Twice As Much Revenue From Marcellus Shale
Keystone Politics
Sept 13
The natural gas industry extracted more than $6 billion worth of shale gas in Pennsylvania last year. The state’s cut — announced this week by the Public Utility Commission — was around $200 million, or 3.3 percent. And according to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, that’s a little more than half of what a West Virginia-type drilling tax would have raised. They figure a more aggressive tax could have brought in $387 million for 2011.
Link: http://www.keystonepolitics.com/2012/09/pa-could-be-raising-twice-revenue-as-much-from-marcellus-shale/

State still short-changed on gas cash
Times-Tribune
Opinion
Sept 14
Pennsylvania finally has extracted some revenue from companies that have extracted billions of dollars worth of natural gas from beneath the commonwealth.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/state-still-short-changed-on-gas-cash-1.1372843

Murrysville council votes to join drilling brief
Pitt Trib
Renatta Signorini
Sept 14
Murrysville voted 4-2 Thursday to join a friend of the court brief in support of a July decision that struck down parts of a state law meant to limit municipalities’ powers related to oil and gas drilling.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/2596889-74/drilling-brief-council-court-murrysville-act-anti-decision-filed-lawsuit#axzz26RKhFMSr

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/13/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 13, 2012

Release

Hydraulic Fracturing, Marcellus Shale, and the Media Are Subject of Sept. 17 Lecture at Pitt
Writer Tom Wilber has covered industry from the beginning
Wallaby
Sept 13
PITTSBURGH—Journalist and author Tom Wilber has had a front row seat to watch the rush to develop the Marcellus and Utica shales in Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. He will share his observations during a lecture, “Gas Rush: A Reporter’s Perspective,” at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, in 3911 Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St., Oakland.
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012091365.HTM

Articles

Resident asks PUC for review of Cecil Township drilling ordinance
Observer-Reporter
Brad Hundt
Sept 13
A Cecil resident is asking the Public Utility Commission to review the township’s oil and gas drilling ordinance and withhold any impact fees until the review is complete.
Link: http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/09-13-PUC-zoning

Turnpike billboards slam gas drilling critics
Patriot-News
AP
Sept 12
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A new series of billboards on the Pennsylvania Turnpike describes critics of natural gas drilling as "Green Slime" who use "Lies" to discredit the industry.
Link: http://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/turnpike-billboards-slam-gas-drilling-critics/703ec39185e44a4fb55d66374a98f72b

Marcellus summit covers real issues, provides balanced perspectives
Farm and Dairy
Sept 12
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — This year’s Penn State Extension Marcellus Summit 2012, scheduled for Oct. 10-12 at the Penn State Conference Center, offers a lineup of speakers and panels covering topics such as shale gas resource estimates, studies on US gas exports and international perspectives on shale gas and oil development.
Link: http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/marcellus-summit-covers-real-issues-provides-balanced-perspectives/42094.html

Pennsylvania court hears arguments in newspapers' request to intervene in Marcellus Shale case
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Sept 13
HARRISBURG -- A state appellate court heard arguments Wednesday over whether a Washington County judge erred in denying the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Washington Observer-Reporter newspapers' request to intervene in a Marcellus Shale case settled last year.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-state/pennsylvania-court-hears-arguments-in-newspapers-request-to-intervene-in-marcellus-shale-case-653043/

PUC advises on NEPA drilling ordinances
Times-Tribune
Robert Swift
Sept 13
HARRISBURG - State utility regulators are advising municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania about the validity of their gas drilling zoning ordinances even as a major provision of the new state impact fee law undergoes a court test.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-drilling/puc-advises-on-nepa-drilling-ordinances-1.1372328

Pennsylvania PUC asked to review towns' drilling regulations
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Sept 13
HARRISBURG -- New state filings with the state Public Utility Commission show a challenge against Cecil's gas drilling rules, and a second document -- from energy company Range Resources -- questioning the validity of South Fayette's ordinance.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/pennsylvania-puc-asked-to-review-towns-drilling-regulations-653055/

Fractivists Urge DRBC to Regulate Pipeline Construction
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Sept 12
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/12/fractivists-urge-drbc-to-regulate-pipeline-construction/

Delaware River panel still mum on gas drilling
Inquirer
Sandy Bauers
Sept 12
Ten months after canceling a vote on natural gas regulations that would have allowed drilling in the Delaware River watershed, a commission with oversight of water issues in the region remained largely mum on what will happen next.
Link: http://articles.philly.com/2012-09-12/news/33791011_1_damascus-citizens-drbc-twitter-sbauers

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/12/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 12, 2012

Articles

Zoning amendment shot down by CC Commissioners
Board cites environmental concerns
Express
Jim Runkle
Sept 12
HANEYVILLE-The Clinton County Commissioners shot down a proposed zoning regulation governing "temporary portable frac water treatment facilities" Tuesday evening, after listening to about an hour's worth of testimony by Gallagher Township residents and property owners.
Link: http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/540887/Zoning-amendment-shot-down-by-CC-Commissioners.html?nav=5009

Nation relied on natural gas to keep cool this summer
Post-Gazette
Erich Schwartzel
Sept 12
Though the first hints of autumn are starting to appear in Pittsburgh weather, this past summer was a scorcher that saw increased natural gas power generation trying to keep air conditioners running.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/federal-agency-says-natural-gas-being-used-more-to-fuel-electrical-supplies-652884/

PUC says Pittsburgh's ban on natural gas extraction conflicts with state law
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson and Joe Smydo
Sept 11
HARRISBURG -- State officials say Pittsburgh's ban on natural gas production does not comply with Pennsylvania law, pointing to what they say are several issues within the stringent local ordinance.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/puc-says-pittsburghs-ban-on-natural-gas-extraction-conflicts-with-state-law-652858/

Public Utility Commission rejects Pittsburgh’s drilling ban
Pitt Trib
Bob Bauder
Sept 12
Pittsburgh City Council overstepped its authority in 2010 when it banned Marcellus shale drilling in the city, according to an opinion issued this week by the Public Utility Commission.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/2583954-74/puc-pittsburgh-drilling-state-commission-opinion-ordinance-ban-council-authority#axzz26FY4XQy3

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/10/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 10, 2012

Articles

200 protest drilling in Rock Run
Sun-Gazette
Alyssa Murphy
Sept 9
RALSTON - Hundreds of people, both young and old, turned out in support of preserving Mother Nature - even as she rained upon them.
Link: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/583058/200-protest-drilling-in--Rock-Run.html?nav=5011

GOD'S COUNTRY: Gas Well Flaring
Joshua B. Pribanic
Co-published by The Erie Wire.
Video
Link: http://vimeo.com/26927533

Report finds methane remains issue in Pa. township
Boston.com
Michael Rubinkam, AP
Sept. 7
Pennsylvania’s environmental chief asserted two months ago that a faulty gas well that spiked nearby drinking-water wells with high levels of methane had been patched, and ‘‘the situation is for the most part over.’’
Link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/09/07/report-finds-methane-remains-issue-township/8dXcoAHjfDSkpHTdBAlDsL/singlepage.html

House Bill Would Make DEP Secretary Elected Position
PA Environment Digest
Sept 10
Rep. Jesse White (D-Washington) announced the introduction of two bills-- House Bill 2606 and House Bill 2607-- which would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to change the Department of Environmental Protection’s appointed secretary position to a commissioner post elected by Pennsylvanians.
Link: http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=23264&SubjectID=

Pennsylvania agency urges Pittsburgh-area officials to clarify shale drilling rules
PUC also deems Fayette County laws sufficient
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Sept 6
HARRISBURG -- In the state Public Utility Commission's first two advisory opinions on local drilling ordinances, there's some good news and some bad news for officials seeking agreement from the agency.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/pennsylvania-agency-urges-pittsburgh-area-officials-to-clarify-shale-drilling-rules-652067/

5 myths about the Marcellus and natural gas industry
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
Sept 2
Backers of the state’s natural gas industry often compare work in the Marcellus shale with keys dangling in front of a baby: It’s the new attention-grabber.
Yet in many respects, it’s an industry not unlike others.
Link: http://triblive.com/home/2263462-74/gas-industry-drilling-experts-energy-state-wells-environmental-marcellus-natural#axzz266EWAogd

Corbett helps gas moguls 'build it'
Times-Tribune
Opinion
Sept 4
Gov. Tom Corbett was conspicuous by his minor role at last week's Republican National Convention, raising speculation among the political class as to whether he might have had a run-in with party leaders akin to former Gov. Robert P. Casey's famous clash with his party's brass at the 1992 Democratic National Convention.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/corbett-helps-gas-moguls-build-it-1.1367832

State is probing methane in home
Times Leader
Matt Hughes
Sept 5
DIMOCK TWP. -- The state Department of Environmental Protection is investigating a reported spike in methane levels inside a trailer in Dimock early Saturday morning and whether there is an association with nearby natural gas development.
Link: http://www.timesleader.com/stories/State-is-probing-methane-in-home,201058

More Gas “Plumes” Documented In Bradford County
NPR State Impact
Scott Detrow
Sept 10
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/10/more-gas-plumes-documented-in-bradford-county/

South Fayette: PUC shouldn't be reviewing drilling ordinance
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Sept 10
HARRISBURG -- South Fayette officials say the on-going state review of their local drilling ordinance shows "malicious intent" and should be suspended until Pennsylvania's top court has ruled on the pending Marcellus Shale appeal.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-west/south-fayette-puc-shouldnt-be-reviewing-drilling-ordinance-652679/

Arguments on Marcellus Shale law begin in October
Post-Gazette
Sept 9
Oral arguments in the state Supreme Court appeal of a decision overturning part of the Marcellus Shale drilling law have been scheduled for Oct. 17 in Pittsburgh.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/arguments-on-marcellus-shale-law-begin-in-october-652516/

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/11/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 11, 2012

Release

Cabot Oil & Gas Announces Record Marcellus Production
Wallaby
PR Newswire
Sept 4
HOUSTON- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) today announced that its gross Marcellus production has averaged over 700 million cubic feet (Mmcf) of natural gas per day for the last two weeks, hitting a record 752 Mmcf during one 24-hour period.  "This production increase was driven by a coordinated effort to manage field line pressures, rather than new well connections," said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our infrastructure provider, Williams Partners L.P., recently completed a series of projects and upgrades that improved the pipeline system operating efficiency, allowing for increased production."
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012090599.HTM

Articles

Marcellus Shale impact fee generates more than expected, even with 4 percent of bills unpaid
Patriot-News
Donald Gilliland
Sept 10
Most of the Marcellus Shale drilling companies have paid what they owe under Pennsylvania's new impact fee for wells, according to information released Monday by the Public Utility Commission.
The PUC billed companies $205.9 million and has received $197.6 million.
Link: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/09/marcellus_shale_impact_fee_gen.html

Bear Lake area residents protest wastewater injection
Times Observer
Ben Klein
Sept 7
Residents from Bear Lake and the surrounding area gathered Thursday morning to voice their disapproval at the site of an injection well that is awaiting approval from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Link: http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/559473/Bear-Lake-area-residents-protest-wastewater-injection.html?nav=5006

Oil, gas industry wins ANF challenge
Pitt Trib
Sept 7
A federal judge in Erie on Thursday issued a final ruling favoring the oil and gas industry in its challenge of a drilling ban in the Allegheny National Forest but declined to grant the industry a permanent injunction. The injunction would be meaningless because the final ruling permanently voids the ban and the rest of a 2009 settlement between the U.S. Forest Service and two environmental groups, the U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin said.
Link: http://triblive.com/business/2553285-74/percent-ban-forest-inc-dominion-industry-ppg-travel-business-federal#axzz25mA66QJ9

Research maps out gas boom impact in Washington County
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
Sept 6
The natural gas boom has disturbed nearly 1 percent of the land in Washington County, according to a federal study, one of several designed to chart the revived industry’s impact on Pennsylvania land.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/washington/2546756-74/forest-gas-research-changes-county-washington-wells-according-data-disturbed?printerfriendly=true#axzz266EWAogd

Donut Hole Trail damage
Hikers say seismic firm damaged popular trail; were 'best practices' followed?
Loch Haven Express
Elizabeth Regan
Sept 5
While recently running on a popular Sproul State Forest hiking trail, Dave Hunter discovered something out of place: damage from seismic testing.
Link: http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/540776/Trail-damage.html?nav=5009

Prominent Conservation Society to Take $30 Million from Chesapeake Energy?
Raging Chicken Press
Sean Kitchen
Sept 10
Suppose you are a leader of a nationally prominent environmental conservation society or even a local conversation society.  Let’s say the society is the Audubon Society or the Ruffed Grouse Society, whose missions, respectively, are: “To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity,” and “the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.” 
Link: http://www.ragingchickenpress.org/2012/09/10/prominent-conservation-society-to-take-30-million-from-chesapeake-energy/

Dueling DEP secretaries say Obama administration promotes, hinders energy development
Pitt Trib
Mike Wereschagin
Sept 10
Surrogates for the presidential campaigns clashed on Monday over whether President Obama’s policies help or hinder domestic energy development.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/2576360-74/energy-obama-alliance-clean-development-domestic-environmental-hanger-industries-krancer#axzz264ztkAzl

Pennsylvania gas drillers paying $200 million in fees for wells
Pitt Trib
Timothy Puko
Sept 10
Pennsylvania’s shale drillers are paying slightly more than $200 million this year — 14 percent more than lawmakers projected — under the state’s new impact fee, according to data the Public Utility Commission released Monday.
Link: http://triblive.com/news/2575848-74/million-state-fee-gas-commission-local-wells-companies-county-drilling#axzz264ztkAzl

PA Marcellus News Digest 9/6/12

PA Marcellus News Digest

September 6, 2012

Releases

The Water Footprint of Shale Gas Development
Wallaby
Sept 6
Philadelphia, PA - This is the third in a series of Bulletins in advance of the Shale Gas Outrage demonstration planned for Philadelphia outside the Convention Center where the Marcellus Shale industry conference will be underway.  The Rally will be September 20th, 2012 12 – 2:00 p.m. with a March 2 - 3:00 p.m. and a press conference 10:00 a.m.
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012090668.HTM

Game Commission to Hold State Game Lands Tours for Public
Wallaby
Sept 6
HARRISBURG – As part of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s efforts to highlight its ongoing habitat improvement initiatives, the public is invited to take part in upcoming tours of several State Game Lands between Sept. 22 and Oct. 14.  All tours are free.
[...]  on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m., State Game Lands 39 and 130. Tour participants will meet at the first SGL parking area on the right side of Reeds Furnace Road, two-tenths of a mile off of State Route 965, just west of the Venango/Mercer county border. This SGL tour will be held rain or shine, and is open to everyone that is interested in learning about SGLs 39 and 130 its wildlife and habitat management. Participants will take part in a 17-mile tour and see the habitat work on these two SGLs; view the Marcellus/Utica Shale gas well development and the steps taken to improve habitat and infrastructure on the SGLs;
Link: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2012/2012090699.HTM

Articles

Commissioners push back against jibes
New brochure emphasizes pristine Pike after talk show host calls Water Gap 'ruined' by oil companies
Pike County Courier
Charles Reynolds
Sept 6
MILFORD — In July, late night talk show host David Letterman had this to say about the effect of hydrofracking and "greedy oil companies" on the local environment: “The Delaware Water Gap has been ruined....Most of Pennsylvania has been ruined."
Link: http://pikecountycourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120906/NEWS01/120909972/Commissioners-push-back-against-jibes-

Pioneer Natural Resources selling Barnett Shale assets
Dallas Business Journal
Matt Joyce
Sept 6
[...]Last year, Fort Worth-based Range Resources (NYSE: RRC) sold all of its its Barnett Shale assets and concentrated its activities mostly in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Also, Encana (NYSE: ECA) sold most of its Barnett assets.
Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2012/09/06/pioneer-natural-resources-selling.html

Attorneys for Act 13 Challengers Ask Supreme Court to Deny GOP Request
Cranberry Patch
Amanda Gillooly
Sept 6
Attorneys for a cluster of communities, medical doctor and nonprofit challenging Pennsylvania's new law governing Marcellus Shale play on Wednesday asked the state Supreme Court to deny the request of two top state Republican leaders to intervene in an appeal of Act 13.
Link: http://cranberry.patch.com/articles/attorneys-for-act-13-challengers-ask-supreme-court-to-deny-gop-request-0dde9137

Environmentalist Author Bill McKibben to Speak at Shale Gas Protest
NPR State Impact
Susan Phillips
Sept 4
Link: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/09/04/environmentalist-author-bill-mckibben-to-speak-at-shale-gas-protest/

Marcellus Shale Coalitions issues best practices for water supply survey
Oil & Gas Journal
Paula Dittrick
Aug 28
The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) released a recommended practice for surveying water supplies before drilling, marking the third in a series of MSC recommended practices aimed at reinforcing the coalition’s guiding principles to “continuously improve our practices and seek transparency.”
Link: http://www.ogj.com/articles/2012/08/marcellus-shale-coalitions-issues-best-practices-for-water-supply-survey.html

Northern Pa.'s natural gas production continues to rise
Projections called for slowdown in the region
Press Connects
Steve Reilly
Aug 31
Bucking projections that low natural gas prices might trigger a downturn, northern Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale natural gas production continued to rise in the first half of 2012, according to the state’s newly-released figures.
Link: http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20120830/NEWS01/308300050/Northern-Pa-s-natural-gas-production-continues-rise?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

KPMG Research Highlights Commonsense Water Management Efforts Across the Marcellus Shale
NorthcentralPA
Aug 31
A new KPMG analysis released this week – entitled “Watered-Down: Minimizing Water Risks in Shale Gas and Oil Drilling” – highlights the commonsense practices and technologies related to natural gas development from the Marcellus Shale aimed at ensuring water quality and the environment are protected and kept safe.
Link: http://www.northcentralpa.com/feeditem/2012-08-31_kpmg-research-highlights-commonsense-water-management-efforts-across-marcellus-0

Drillers rattled as ethane, propane prices plunge
Post-Gazette
Erich Schwartzel
Aug 31
The same hydrocarbons that have propped up oil and gas balance sheets for several months are starting to look less sturdy.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/drillers-rattled-as-ethane-propane-prices-plunge-651245/

Health study worth cost
Times-Tribune
Opinion
Sept 5
Total projected revenue from the state government's new Marcellus Shale law, which finally will extract some money from drillers extracting gas from Pennsylvania: $180 million.
Total share of that amount going to needed research on the public health impact of large-scale drilling and hydrofracking: $0.
Link: http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/health-study-worth-cost-1.1368392

Register | Log in COG Sets Marcellus Production Record - Analyst Blog
NASDAQ
Zacks Equity Research
Sept 6
Domestic energy explorer Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation ( COG ) recently declared that its production of natural gas from Marcellus Shale - in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia - hit a record. Per day production averaged over 700 million cubic feet (Mmcf) for the last two weeks and touched 752 Mmcf during one 24-hour period.
Link: http://community.nasdaq.com/News/2012-09/cog-sets-marcellus-production-record-analyst-blog.aspx?storyid=170637

As US Shale Gas Output Booms, Who Should Fund Required Infrastructure?
AOL Energy
Margaret Ryan
Sept 6
Are deregulated power markets producing the long-term, reliable energy infrastructure that manufacturers need to invest and expand?
Link: http://energy.aol.com/2012/09/06/as-us-shale-gas-output-booms-who-should-fund-required-infrastru/

Pennsylvania submits its arguments in shale drilling law appeal
Post-Gazette
Laura Olson
Swpt 5
HARRISBURG -- Lawyers representing several state agencies argue in a brief filed Tuesday that appellate judges erred in deciding to overturn a portion of the state's new Marcellus Shale drilling law.
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/marcellusshale/pennsylvania-submits-its-arguments-in-shale-drilling-law-appeal-651861/

Marcellus Shale fees to midstate counties could top $6.7 million
Central Penn Business Journal
Jim T. Ryan
Aug 31
Next week, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will know the total amount of money collected through Marcellus Shale impact fees.
Link: http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/article/20120831/FRONTPAGE/120839969/Marcellus-Shale-fees-to-midstate-counties-could-top-$67-million