Marcellus Shale Newswire 03/25/2011

Vol. 2, Issue 02

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

Explainer

PennEnvironment

Philadelphia Inquirer

Corbett opens door for local levies on shale drilling

By Angela Couloumbis and Joseph Tanfani

March 24, 2011

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/118560359.html 

Gov. Corbett on Wednesday opened the door to imposing an impact fee on natural gas drillers, signaling that he may be easing up on his strong opposition to any levy on the industry. He added: “I understand that there is an impact to the local communities, and I believe that in some way, shape, or form, we need to address the impact.”

 

Patriot-News

Marcellus Shale advisory board is top heavy with representatives of business and industry

By Donald Gilliland

March 22, 2011

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/03/marcellus_shale_advisory_board.html

The balance of interests on the commission is tipped heavily in favor of the drilling industry, critics say, at a time when concern over the environmental impacts of drilling is higher than ever. The governor’s commission has 13 representatives from business and industry, while four come from environmental and conservation groups.

 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DEP reviewing permit for hauler charged with illegal dumping

By Don Hopey

March 19, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11078/1133161-113.stm
According to the grand jury’s presentment, from 2003 to 2009 Mr. Shipman directed the illegal dumping of Marcellus Shale drilling wastewater, municipal sewage sludge and restaurant grease in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties, sometimes after dark or during heavy rains to mask the illegal activity.

 

 

New York Times

Natural Gas and Clean Water

Editorial

March 22, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/opinion/23wed2.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

A single well can cough up a million gallons of wastewater laced with carcinogens like benzene and radioactive elements like radium. Ian Urbina’s recent series in The Times found that conventional wastewater treatment plants in Pennsylvania could not prevent radioactive contaminants from entering rivers that provide drinking water for millions of people. The issue is whether [drilling for natural gas] can be done safely.

 

Daily American

Marcellus gas production data now recorded online

By Bruce Siwy

March 19, 2011

http://www.dailyamerican.com/da-ot-marcellus-gas-production-data-now-recorded-online-20110319,0,2173997.story 

Although there is an increasing awareness about the state’s growing Marcellus Shale industry, Petras said she believes people should be cautious before dealing with gas companies. “It just seems like they have a lot of loopholes and they use all of them,” she said. “I think (the industry) needs to be regulated much more than it is.”

 

Patriot-News

Stacked Deck: Marcellus Shale commission has a chance to do good work – if it plays fair

Editorial

March 24, 2011

http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/03/stacked_deck_marcellus_shale_c.html 

Perhaps the most troubling part of the advisory commission is the absence of members with deep expertise in water issues. Arguably the top concern for voters is ensuring that the state’s waterways remain safe for drinking and outdoors activities, especially fishing. 

 

Scranton Times Tribune

DEP halts Potter County pad work citing erosion

March 24, 2011

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-drilling/dep-halts-potter-county-pad-work-citing-erosion-1.1123002#axzz1HWkg55Ol 

The Department of Environmental Protection has halted work on a natural-gas well pad in Potter County because of erosion that affected the water supply for hundreds of households.

 

Express-Times

Lehigh Valley Sierra Club chairman urges people to oppose Marcellus Shale fracking

By Tom Shortell

March 24, 2011

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1300939517261140.xml&coll=3

Drilling in the Marcellus Shale could make drinking water in the Lehigh Valley flammable, radioactive and full of cancer-causing chemicals, according to the chairman of the Sierra Club of the Lehigh Valley.