Marcellus Shale Newswire 2/10/2012

Vol. 2, Issue 44

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

PennEnvironment

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Shale driller Chesapeake Appalachia is fined by state DEP for major violations

By Sean D. Hamill

February 10, 2012 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12041/1209294-503-0.stm

HARRISBURG — The state Department of Environmental Protection Thursday said it has fined gas driller Chesapeake Appalachia a total of $565,000 for major violations at three Marcellus Shale sites that occurred since 2010, including a well blowout in Bradford County last April that took five days to secure.

 

The Washington Post

With deep concerns over fracking, a Va. County says no to more gas drilling

By Darryl Fears 

February 05, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-deep-concerns-over-fracking-a-va-county-says-no-to-more-gas-drilling/2012/01/27/gIQAxhUcsQ_story.html

In BERGTON, Va. — Carrizo Oil and Gas had every reason to believe this rustic town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains was an ideal place to build Virginia’s first well to explore for natural gas in the state’s Marcellus Shale. 

 

Altoona Mirror

Outdoor groups urge Corbett to uphold moratorium on state forest gas leases

By Zach Geiger

February 05, 2012

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/557895/Outdoor-groups-urge-Corbett-to-uphold-moratorium-on-state-forest-gas-leases.html?nav=742

Pennsylvania’s 20 state forests encompass more than 2.2 million acres, giving residents year-round access for pursuits such as hiking, snowmobiling, boating, hunting and fishing.

  

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Senate passes Marcellus Shale legislation

By Laura Olson

February 07, 2012

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208663-100-0.stm

HARRISBURG — The state Senate passed a Marcellus Shale regulatory and impact fee measure this morning, sending the plan for a final vote in the state House of Representatives.

 

Hornell Evening Tribune

Alleghany County Board of Health to vote on well testing recommendations

By Brian Quinn

February 05, 2012 

http://www.eveningtribune.com/news/x1393364115/Allegany-County-Board-of-Health-to-vote-on-well-testing-recommendations

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) hasn’t started issuing oil and gas drilling permits for the Marcellus Shale area. Still, the Allegany County Board of Health wants to take a “pre-emptive” measure to help public and private well owners who may be worried about their water quality if drilling goes forward, said county Environmental Health Director Thomas Hull.

 

Penn Live

Public health impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling still unknown

By Dr. Marilyn J. Heine

February 05, 2012

http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2012/02/public_health_impacts_of_marce.html

Uncertainty prompts me to write that as a doctor I do not know what to tell Pennsylvania patients when they ask me if hydraulic fracturing — fracking — in their neighborhood or region might affect their health. I’ve seen anecdotal stories in the media. 

  

CNN iReport

Marcellus Shale Reality Tour Part 3 EPA comes to Dimock

By Scott Cannon

February 05, 2012

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-742456?hpt=us_bn2

CNN PRODUCER NOTE: iReporter ScottCannon, a board member of the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition, Inc., shot this video in Dimock, Pennsylvania, a town at the heart of an EPA water drilling investigation. The video includes an interview with Susan Roos, a resident of Dimock who claims her water supply has been contaminated by gas extraction practices. This video package also includes an interview with EPA spokesperson Trish Taylor, who is part of a team investigating claims in the area.

 

UPI.com

New website tracks Marcellus shale drilling records

By Associated Press

February 08, 2012 

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/02/08/Sierra-Club-objects-to-LNG-from-shale/UPI-70711328701837/

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) — Advocacy group Sierra Club filed a formal objection over plans to export liquefied natural gas from a port in Maryland because of ties to fracking.

 

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bill would register, set limits on Allegheny shale well sites

By Tony LaRussa

February 04, 2012

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_779974.html?_s_icmp=NetworkHeadlines

 Two Allegheny County councilmen will introduce legislation on Tuesday that would create a registry of permits issued for Marcellus shale gas well sites and set restrictions on where drilling operations can be situated on county-owned property.

 

Care2

How New York State Residents Can Protect Themselves From Fracking Pollution

By Gina-Marie Cheeseman

February 06, 2012

http://www.care2.com/causes/how-new-york-state-residents-can-protect-themselves-from-fracking-pollution.html

New York sits on the northern edge of major shale deposits, known as the Marcellus Shale. Most of the Marcellus Shale is in New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. The way to drill for the shale is with hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, which pollutes drinking water supplies. Fracking also produces more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than conventional drilling methods. 

 

The Times Leader

Shale affects homeless veterans

By Bill O’Boyle

February 07, 2012

http://www.timesleader.com/news/Shale__affects__homeless__veterans_02-07-2012.html

HARRISBURG – The ranks of homeless veterans are growing, and a state Senate committee Monday heard testimony that the Marcellus Shale industry is making the problem worse.

 

Long Island Press

DEC: Much Work Needed on Fracking Regs

By Mary Esch

February 07, 2012

http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/02/07/dec-much-work-needed-on-fracking-regs/

New York’s environment commissioner told lawmakers Tuesday that the proposed state budget doesn’t include money for regulating hydraulic fracturing because it’s uncertain when — or if — the natural gas drilling technology will be allowed in the state.