Marcellus Shale Newswire 4/06/2012

Vol. 2, Issue 51

A Collection of Marcellus Shale and Gas Drilling Articles from Pennsylvania and Beyond

PennEnvironment

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Compressor station explosion shuts down at least 10 wells

By Don Hopey

March 30 2012

http://shale.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/news/archives/24437-compressor-station-explosion-shuts-down-at-least-10-wells

A Thursday morning explosion that ripped the roof off a Williams Energy gas compressor station linked to at least 10 Marcellus Shale wells in Susquehanna County was probably caused by a leaking gas pipeline inside the station, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. 

 

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bike riders chart safety course for Marcellus shale drilling

By Jodi Weigand

April 01, 2012

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_789344.html

About 10 bicyclists rode part of the Butler Freeport Community Trail on Saturday to raise awareness about the toll the Marcellus shale gas industry has taken on communities.

 

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Marcellus drilling watchdog group strengthens its ranks

By Jewels Phraner

March 31, 2012

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_789188.html

A Mountain Watershed Association community organizer has added about 15 people to her army of citizen watchdogs who will monitor Marcellus shale natural gas drilling operations.

 

Essential Public Radio

City Council Supports Lawsuit Against New Marcellus Shale Law

By Noah Brode

April 03, 2012

http://www.essentialpublicradio.org/story/2012-04-03/city-council-supports-lawsuit-against-new-marcellus-shale-law-10674

Pittsburgh City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support seven Pennsylvania municipalities that are suing the state over Marcellus Shale drilling legislation passed earlier this year.

 

Huntington News

Marcellus Drilling Bring Radiation Exposures, May Harm Drinking Water

By Tony Rutherford 

April 02, 212

http://www.huntingtonnews.net/27856

A few weeks ago West Virginia officials expressed disappointment that a proposed Marcellus cracker gas  drilling operation would go near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and not to West Virginia. The company wanted land already in use as a racing facility in Chester, WV. 

 

Youngstown News

Test water before drilling begins, microbiologist says

By Jeanne Starmack

April 01, 2012 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/apr/01/hydraulic-fracturing-and-wells-test-wate/

Many resources are renewable, but groundwater is not one of them.

If groundwater is tainted by pollution and an aquifer is ruined, it will recover — but not in our lifetimes, said John Stolz, a microbiologist and director for the Center for Environmental Research at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

 

Citizens Voice

Environmental group look beyond impact fee law

By Robert Smith

April 02, 2012

http://citizensvoice.com/news/drilling/environmental-group-looks-beyond-impact-fee-law-1.1293716#axzz1rGdLlqUW

HARRISBURG – As county officials face a looming April 16 deadline to levy a Marcellus Shale drilling fee on 2012 production, an environmental group is urging state officials to address a host of drilling issues that are not covered by the new state impact fee law.

 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Council supports challenge of shale regulations

By Joe Smydo

April 03, 2012

http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12094/1221377-503.stm

Pittsburgh City Council, a well-known foe of the Marcellus Shale industry, this morning sent a message of support to seven municipalities that sued the state over the new natural gas drilling law.

 

GantDaily.com

Platt Road Residents Voice Concerns Over Marcellus Truck Traffic

By Steve McDole

April 03, 2012

http://gantdaily.com/2012/04/03/platt-road-residents-voice-concerns-over-marcellus-truck-traffic/

DUBOIS – Platt Road residents approached the Sandy Township Supervisors over truck traffic from the Marcellus shale industry. 


Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The endangered Indiana bat had no day in court

By Associated Press  

April 05, 2012

http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12096/1221824-110.stm

The Post-Gazette reported last Saturday on a disturbing ruling by a federal judge (“Judge Allows Shale Driller to Cut Trees Before Bats Wake Up,” March 31).