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.postgazette.com/index.php/earlyreturns-20/53-postgazettestaff/2943-budgettalksshale-feepushcontinue

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

http://thedailyreview.com/news/susquehanna-and-bradford-selected-for-federal-fracking-study-1.1166184

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.