Marcellus Shale Newswire 01/13/2012
Vol. 2, Issue 40
A Collection of Marcellus Shale and Gas Drilling Articles from Pennsylvania and Beyond
PennEnvironment
Nature News Blog
Fracking’s future in the US comes down to upcoming New York State decisions
By Brian Owens
January 12, 2012
New York State is the key battleground that will determine the future of fracking in the U.S., and January 11, 2012, was a turning point. The date ended the public comment period on proposed state regulations that will govern the process: drilling into deep Marcellus shales, fracturing the rock with water and chemicals to release natural gas, and disposing of the resulting wastewater that flows back up the well with the gas.
Calgary Herald
New rumblings: Earthquakes intensify scrutiny of shale gas methods
By Andrew Maykuth
January 13, 2012
PHILADELPHIA — Metaphorically speaking, the shale-gas boom was supposed to bring seismic changes to America’s energy landscape. But after a series of earthquakes during the holidays shook Youngstown, Ohio, authorities are focusing on a literal link between seismic activity and gas development.
Yellow Scene Magazine
Erie’s fracking opponents get support from all corners
http://yellowscene.com/2012/01/11/eries-fracking-opponents-get-support-from-all-corners/
By Greg Campbell
January 11, 2012
If Erie residents who are concerned about hydraulic fracturing thought they would be alone in their fight against oil and gas companies, they may be pleasantly surprised to learn that they’re wrong.
The Wall Street Journal
DEP seeks companies’ emissions data
By Associated Press
January 09, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/AP5c9a4c2931444d5e95d515bae4060f6e.html
PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection undercounted the number of wells producing gas from the Marcellus Shale, frustrating industry, environmental groups, and elected officials, according to a newspaper report.
ABC News
Doctors call for temporary halt to fracking
By Associated Press
January 09, 2012
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/health&id=8492067
WASHINGTON, D.C.; January 9, 2012 (WPVI) — Gas drilling is making instant millionaires out of those fortunate enough to own property above the Marcellus Shale reserve. But a coalition of medical groups fear their health may suffer for it.
The Guardian
No fracking in home counties, village residents tell oil company
By Robert Booth
January 12, 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/12/fracking-oil-west-sussex-caudrilla?newsfeed=true
After earthquakes in Lancashire and tales of poisoned water and flaming taps in the US, “fracking” for gas or oil in the English home counties was never likely to be easy. And so it proved when oil executives faced the fury of a village hall full of West Sussex residents in a clash over a controversial technology that energy companies believe could open up major reserves of energy from underground rocks.
Marcellus Drilling News
EPA Promises Water for Dimock PA, Reneges 24 Hours Later
By Jim Willis
January 09, 2012
http://marcellusdrilling.com/2012/01/epa-promises-water-for-dimock-pa-reneges-24-hours-later/
The news out of Dimock, PA is coming so fast and furious, it’s hard to keep track of it all. First, a brief background on the situation in Dimock, the context you almost never read in the mainstream media:
Essential Public Radio
Water Well Rules Proposed for Pennsylvania
By Mary Wilson & Essential Public Radio
January 13, 2012
http://www.essentialpublicradio.org/story/2012-01-10/water-well-rules-proposed-pennsylvania-9888
A Pennsylvania lawmaker says that more than 20,000 private water wells are drilled every year in Pennsylvania, but a lack of regulations means that there’s nothing to ensure water quality for homeowners. Water quality has been a focus in the ongoing Marcellus shale drilling debate.
Ithaca Journal
Anti-fracking group pleased with Hectors response DEC
By Harley Campbell
January 12, 2012
Natural gas companies throughout Pennsylvania are hoping to expand their efforts to extract natural gas from the Marcellus Shale deposit. The Delaware River Basin Commission is presiding over a multi-state initiative that would allow natural gas drilling through hydraulic fracture within a few hundred yards of the Delaware River.
The Times-Tribune
House panel considers water well standards
By Robert Swift
January 11, 2012
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/house-panel-considers-water-well-standards-1.1256069#axzz1jNNgACM2
HARRISBURG – Owners and drillers of new private water wells would need to meet statewide construction regulations under legislation that got a boost Tuesday at a House committee hearing.
