Marcellus Shale Newswire 08/12/2011

PennEnvironment

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Long shot made for Pittsburgh drilling ban

By Bob Bauder

August 10, 2011

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_750712….

Councilman Doug Shields is attempting to get the Marcellus shale drilling ban onto the November ballot to make it part of the Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter. In an effort to do this, he admitted the appeal to the Allegheny Elections Division. Mayor Ravenstahl questioned the legality of incorporating the ban and chose to neither sign nor veto the bill. 

Scranton Times-Tribune

Marcellus Shale concerns again addressed by Throop

By Meghan Davis

August 9, 2011

http://thetimes–tribune.com/news/marcellus–shale–concerns–again–addressed–by–throop-1.1186089#axzz1UY32u68C

At Throop’s borough council meeting, a motion was unanimously passed to hace Cocciardi and Associates Inc. provide a cost estimate for environmental testing of the dumping of Marcellus Shale drilling waste in the local landfill. They will compare the results with tests done by the landfill to see if the findings differ about potential hazards. 

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Lower Burrell drilling rules to get scrutiny

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_750676.html

By Michael Aubele

August 9, 2011

Lower Burrell officials believe that it will take two more months to give approval for an ordinance that regulates Marcellus shale gas drilling in the area. City and Westmoreland County planning officials will spend 30 days reviewing the proposed ordinance. They hope to give preliminary approval in September.

Scranton Times-Tribune

Gas driller opposes pipeline rules, asks landowners to raise concerns

By Laura Legere

August 9, 2011

http://thetimes–tribune.com/news/gas–drilling/gas–driller–opposes–pipeline–rules–asks–landowners–to–raise–concerns-1.1186017#axzz1UY32u68C

New regulations released by the Army Corps of Engineers regarding pipeline construction and other surface-water impacts have angered Chesapeake Energy, causing them to reach out to leaseholders to ask them to join in their protest. The new regulations require companies to detail all of the streams and wetlands to be crossed in a pipeline project.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Disclose fracking dangers, federal panel urges

By Erich Schwartzel

August 11, 2011

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11223/1166650-503.stm

A Department of Energy report released today criticizes the natural gas drilling industry for failing to fully examine the possible environmental impacts of drilling. Drinking water contamination, air pollution, and general unclear information about drilling take precedent in the report. The report was released after a 90-day listening tour by a committee from the Department of Energy.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Allegheny County denies drilling ban bid

By Bob Bauder

August 11, 2011

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/archive/s_750939.html

The Allegheny County Elections Divisions denied Pittsburgh City Council’s attempt to place a Marcellus shale drilling ban on the November ballot. Elections Director Mark Wolosik said that the council did not submit a valid ordinance by the deadline to amend the city’s Home Rule Charter through voter referendum

NPR State Impact

Pipeline Problems and Permits

By Scott Detrow 

August 10, 2011

http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2011/08/10/pipeline–problems–and-permits/

There have been three spills within one week at a Susquehanna County pipeline. The first two accidents spilled 1,400 gallons of mud and all but 35 gallons were recovered. The third spill has been completely cleaned up. These problems along a 30-mile Susquehanna Gathering Line are not stopping other projects and another 33-mile line was just approved. 

NPR State Impact

Corbett in a Kayak

By Scott Detrow

August 10, 2011

http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2011/08/10/corbett-in–a-kayak/

Gov. Corbett embarked on a three-day kayaking trip in northeastern Pennsylvania on a river that is one of the most “endangered” in the country because of gas drilling. He is with representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection. and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.