Marcellus Shale Newswire 07/22/2011

PennEnvironment

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rules OK’d for gas facilities in South Fayette

By Andrea Iglar

July 21, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11202/1161793-57.stm

Officials in South Fayette approved regulations for facilities that prepare Marcellus shale gas for transportation and sale. Operators now have to meet requirements regarding roads, security, noise, and other public health issues. However, residents are still concerned that the regulations do not protect them from noise and air pollution. Board president of the Allegheny Defense Fund said that operators need to be required to test for air quality and noise levels before construction.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wilkinsburg council bans fracking from borough limits

By Pamela Walck

July 20, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11201/1161903-100.stm

Wilkinsburg just banned Marcellus Shale gas drilling within its borders after a Borough council meeting on Wednesday. Council Vice President Jason Cohn said, “It’s great that we are passing this, but it doesn’t end our responsibilities. I don’t knowif there is a lot more we can do, but we need to see how we can continue to protect our citizens.” 

Harrisburg WITF

Scarnati says Marcellus Shale commission delayed action on impact fee

By Mary Wilson

July 21, 2011

http://www.witf.org/state–house–sound–bites/scarnati–says-marcellus–shale–commission–delayed–action–on–impact–fee

Senate President Pro Temp Joe Scarnati was one of the strongest advocates of an impact fee in June when it was up for debate until Governor Corbett shot it down. Now with the Marcellus Shale Commission’s report reaching Gov. Corbett’s desk, Scarnati is concerned that the report is not going to change anything, “Look, I’m not a commission advocate,” Scarnati said, “…bottom line is , I’m the one that’s gotta vote on the bill.”

Pitsburgh Post-Gazette

City drilling ban seems a shallow debate

By Brian O’Neill

July 21, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11202/1161907-155-0.stm

Even though the oil and gas industries and city council think that the ban of drilling in Pittsburgh is a good idea, the issue is now up for debate if this ban will last for a prolonged period of time. Councilman Doug Shields wants the ban placed in the city charter since the Marcellus Shale Coalition attacked the drilling ban. Range Resources stated, however, that even without the ban they would not consider drilling within the city for cost reasons.

Delaware County Daily Times

‘No tax pledge’ continue to influence impact fee debate

By Caleb Taylor 

July 22, 2011

http://delcotimes.com/articles/2011/07/22/news/doc4e29708f743cd705621143…

“Gov. Corbett is ceding power to Grover Norquist” on the issue of a severence tax according to a spokesman with the Pennsylvania Democratic party. Gov. Corbett does not want to go against his pledge of not raising taxes even though 70 percent of Pennyslvanians support the implementation of a tax or fee. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Citizens group sues shale driller

By Andrew Maykuth

July 21, 2011

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20110721_Citizens_group_sues_shale_driller.html

Citizents for Pennsylvania’s Future field a federal suit against a Marcellus Shale gas driller for violating air pollution laws. PennFuture claims that Ultra Resources Inc. is emitting large amounts of nitrogen oxide from wells in Tioga and Potter Counties.