Marcellus Shale Newswire 03/18/2011

Vol. 2, Issue 01

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

Explainer

PennEnvironment

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bromide: A concern in drilling wastewater

By Don Hopey

March 13, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11072/1131660-113.stm
The spike in salty bromides in Western Pennsylvania’s rivers and creeks has already put some public water suppliers into violation of federal safe drinking water standards. Bromide facilitates the formation of brominated trihalomethanes, also known as THMs. Studies show a link between ingestion of and exposure to THMs and several types of cancer and birth defects.

 

The Mercury

Despite overhaul, gas wastewater still a problem

By David B. Caruso

March 12, 2011

http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/03/12/news/green/doc4d7ba36bac862978721917.txt?viewmode=fullstory 

Records show that at least 2.8 million barrels of well wastewater were sent to treatment plants that discharge into rivers and streams. There have been concerns about the salt levels rising in some Pennsylvania rivers that supply drinking water.

 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hundreds speak out on shale gas drilling

By Len Barcousky

March 11, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11070/1131191-503.stm 

Speakers and spectators filled the Gold Room of the Allegheny County Courthouse to capacity on Thursday night for a public hearing on Marcellus Shale gas drilling. “Gas production and clean water don’t mix,” Paula Jean Tonsor, of Garfield, warned council. 

 

The Scranton Times Tribune

Casey reintroduces natural gas bills

By Laura Legere

March 16, 2011

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-drilling/casey-reintroduces-natural-gas-bills-1.1119578#axzz1GoKvNGCf

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey reintroduced three bills on Tuesday that aim to strengthen oversight of natural gas drilling and increase industry training for Pennsylvania workers. “Pennsylvanians have a right to know the chemicals used in fracking that could make their way into drinking water and other water sources,” Mr. Casey said.

 

Berks County News Reading Eagle Newspaper

Critics question wisdom of not taxing Marcellus shale gas drilling

By Darren Youker

March 13, 2011

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=294030 

Every other state with natural gas drilling taxes it, and Pennsylvania should do the same, said state Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat.

 

The Delaware County Daily Times

Vitali renews fight against shale drilling

By Alex Rose

March 13, 2011

http://delcotimes.com/articles/2011/03/13/news/doc4d7c412b24833704564621.txt?viewmode=fullstory 

Vitali said about 725,000 of the 1.5 million acres of state forest lying above the Marcellus Shale has already been made available to gas drillers, a figure he regards as too high.