Marcellus Shale Newswire 06/24/2011
Vol. 2, Issue 15
A Collection of Marcellus Shale and Gas Drilling Articles from Pennsylvania and Beyond
PennEnvironment
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Health secretary wants tabs on shale
By Laura Olson
June 18, 2011
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11169/1154672-503.stm
The Department of Health Secretary Eli Avila requested to the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission that the agency needs a “comprehensive and scientific approach” to the concerns of citizens that gas drilling is affecting their health. He stated, “We’re really at the frontiers of this, and we can make an example” for other states.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Political tussle develops over Marcellus jobs data
June 23, 2011
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20110623_ap_politicaltussledevelopsovermarcellusjobsdata.html
The state Department of Labor and Industry released a report this month saying there were 72,000 “new hires” in the Marcellus shale gas industry from the end of 2009 to the beginning of 2011. This led to a political argument in Harrisburg as the statistic does not account for workers fired or those who quit their jobs.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Budget talks, push for shale fee continue
By Laura Olson
June 22, 2011
http://earlyreturns.sites.post–gazette.com/index.php/early–returns-20/53-post–gazette–staff/2943-budget–talks–shale-fee–push–continue
The Democratic state senators say they plan to offer an amendment to the budget bills coming to a vote early next week. Governor Corbett said that if a budget bill reaches him with a Marcellus shale fee, he is “leaning toward” vetoing it. The proposal would reverse some of the broader changes on Senator Scarnati’s impact fee.
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
Pollution found in Pa. wells near site of blowout
By Michael Rubinkam
June 24, 2011
http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=7241987
The Environmental Protection Agency conducted testing on seven private water wells near the Chesapeake Energy Corp drilling site where a blowout occurred. Three of the wells were found to be contaminated but they have not revealed the type of contamination.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
GOP legislators to assess support for impact fee
By Brad Bumsted
June 24, 2011
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_743741.htm
House Republicans met this morning to review Marcellus shale impact fee and tax proposals. House leaders want a “clean” fiscal code bill without amendments, but are discussing the issue in case the Senate measure or Democratic plan gains support. Governor Corbett wants to hold off on the impact fee until the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission releases a report on July 22, after the budget has been settled.
The Towanda Daily Review
Susquehanna and Bradford selected for federal tracking study
By Laura Legere
June 24, 2011
The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday that they will conduct tests on the potential impact on drinking water in Susquehanna and Bradford counties. This is one among five different case study regions. The Agency will also use Washington County, PA as a study for what happens during the entire hydraulic fracturing process.
Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
Aqua chief backs more gas regs
By Matt Hughes
June 24, 2011
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Aqua_chief_backs_more_gas_regs_06-23-2011.html
The former secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources, Nichlas DeBenedictis, suggested to Governor Corbett a set of over 20 amendments to the Oil and Gas Act involving Marcellus shale gas drilling. The recommendations include well setbacks, higher penalties, and increasing the Department of Environmental Protection’s autonomy in levying fines.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
EPA to study Washington County fracking
By Timothy Puko
June 24, 2011
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_743673.html
The Environmental Protection Agency announced that Washington County will be part of a study on the effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and the environment. The study will follow the complete process of hydraulic fracturing to see the complete effect of it on the environment.