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Gas drilling/Marcellus shale
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New Marcellus pipeline proposed ALLENTOWN (AP) - A natural gas driller and a pipeline company are proposing to build a new pipeline to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale to the New York and New England markets.
Full story >>
DEP: No new spill
A spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday a spill at a gas well site in Robinson Township is likely "a continuation" of a leak first reported in December.
Full story >>
Nonprofit to study Pa. gas drilling, public health
PITTSBURGH - A nonprofit group has opened an office in western Pennsylvania to help the public with health concerns over Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations.
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Marcellus and medicine
A public health office to address possible exposure related to the natural gas drilling industry is opening in McMurray. Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project has announced the opening of the office in Suite 5, 4198 Washington Road.
Full story >>
Wastewater a key issue in N.Y.'s fracking debate
Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. - One of the most contentious issues in the debate over shale gas drilling in New York's share of the Marcellus Shale region - how to handle millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater - remains unsettled. As the state ponders final regulations, environmental advocates say the issue is a glaring gap in preparations.
Full story >>
Independence rethinks code officer hire
AVELLA - A former code enforcement officer was rehired by the Independence Township Board of Supervisors Wednesday night for fear the current code enforcement and zoning officer could have a conflict of interest in giving out permits for the oil and gas industry.
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DEP probes gas well spill
McDONALD - A spill of what appears to be condensate at a gas well site owned by Chevron-Appalachia in Robinson Township was being investigated Friday by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Full story >>
New fee, big impact
A new state law dealing with the gas well impact fee uses the term "spud wells," but in the case of Washington County, the fee will not be small potatoes.
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County to seek Marcellus fees
In accordance with legislation Gov. Tom Corbett signed Monday, Washington County commissioners are preparing to advertise a proposed ordinance to allow the county and its municipalities to receive impact fees from the Marcellus Shale gas industry.
Full story >>
New Marcellus pipeline proposed ALLENTOWN (AP) - A natural gas driller and a pipeline company are proposing to build a new pipeline to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale to the New York and New England markets.
Full story >>
DEP: No new spill
A spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday a spill at a gas well site in Robinson Township is likely "a continuation" of a leak first reported in December.
Full story >>
Nonprofit to study Pa. gas drilling, public health
PITTSBURGH - A nonprofit group has opened an office in western Pennsylvania to help the public with health concerns over Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations.
Full story >>
Marcellus and medicine
A public health office to address possible exposure related to the natural gas drilling industry is opening in McMurray. Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project has announced the opening of the office in Suite 5, 4198 Washington Road.
Full story >>
Wastewater a key issue in N.Y.'s fracking debate
Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. - One of the most contentious issues in the debate over shale gas drilling in New York's share of the Marcellus Shale region - how to handle millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater - remains unsettled. As the state ponders final regulations, environmental advocates say the issue is a glaring gap in preparations.
Full story >>
Independence rethinks code officer hire
AVELLA - A former code enforcement officer was rehired by the Independence Township Board of Supervisors Wednesday night for fear the current code enforcement and zoning officer could have a conflict of interest in giving out permits for the oil and gas industry.
Full story >>
DEP probes gas well spill
McDONALD - A spill of what appears to be condensate at a gas well site owned by Chevron-Appalachia in Robinson Township was being investigated Friday by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Full story >>
New fee, big impact
A new state law dealing with the gas well impact fee uses the term "spud wells," but in the case of Washington County, the fee will not be small potatoes.
Full story >>
County to seek Marcellus fees
In accordance with legislation Gov. Tom Corbett signed Monday, Washington County commissioners are preparing to advertise a proposed ordinance to allow the county and its municipalities to receive impact fees from the Marcellus Shale gas industry.
Full story >>
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for Washington and Greene counties
for Washington and Greene counties
Peters Twp. to review new state drilling law
McMURRAY - Peters Township Council Monday authorized its solicitor to review the new state legislation on gas drilling to determine if it can be challenged.
Full story >>
Bills honor slain officer
McDONALD - Dawson Geophysical Co. of Canonsburg was granted permission Monday night to begin seismic testing in Robinson Township. The board of supervisors approved Dawson's application in order to map Marcellus Shale locations in portions of the township.
Full story >>
Low prices slow U.S. natural gas production
PITTSBURGH - As natural gas prices continue to drop, the recent nationwide boom in drilling is slowing. Drillers don't make money if prices go too low - and drilling wells isn't cheap.
Full story >>
They make law, we live with it
The Marcellus Shale bill has been passed by both bodies of the Pennsylvania Legislature and awaits the signature of Gov. Tom Corbett. When it becomes law, the state will reap some additional revenue from the gas drilling industry - about an annual $180 million initially. Whether you call it a tax or an impact fee, it will be the lowest rate paid by gas drillers in the nation: between 1 percent and 3 percent, depending on who's estimating.
Full story >>
Minor issues surface at plant
A three-day Clean Air Act inspection conducted in November by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found a handful of leaking valves and pumps at the MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources plant in Chartiers Township.
Full story >>
Controlled flare slated for weekend
Range Resources will conduct a controlled flare on a well site in North Franklin Township this weekend. The activity, on a site along Scenic Drive, is expected to begin Sunday and last up to two days. Based on proximity and topography, the controlled flare could be visible for a few miles.
Full story >>
Drilling bill gets mixed reviews
The gas impact fee legislation that was passed by the House Wednesday and was headed for the governor's desk got a thumbs up from the area's largest driller but was met with doubt by some of the area's municipal leaders.
Full story >>
McMURRAY - Peters Township Council Monday authorized its solicitor to review the new state legislation on gas drilling to determine if it can be challenged.
Full story >>
Bills honor slain officer
McDONALD - Dawson Geophysical Co. of Canonsburg was granted permission Monday night to begin seismic testing in Robinson Township. The board of supervisors approved Dawson's application in order to map Marcellus Shale locations in portions of the township.
Full story >>
Low prices slow U.S. natural gas production
PITTSBURGH - As natural gas prices continue to drop, the recent nationwide boom in drilling is slowing. Drillers don't make money if prices go too low - and drilling wells isn't cheap.
Full story >>
They make law, we live with it
The Marcellus Shale bill has been passed by both bodies of the Pennsylvania Legislature and awaits the signature of Gov. Tom Corbett. When it becomes law, the state will reap some additional revenue from the gas drilling industry - about an annual $180 million initially. Whether you call it a tax or an impact fee, it will be the lowest rate paid by gas drillers in the nation: between 1 percent and 3 percent, depending on who's estimating.
Full story >>
Minor issues surface at plant
A three-day Clean Air Act inspection conducted in November by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found a handful of leaking valves and pumps at the MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources plant in Chartiers Township.
Full story >>
Controlled flare slated for weekend
Range Resources will conduct a controlled flare on a well site in North Franklin Township this weekend. The activity, on a site along Scenic Drive, is expected to begin Sunday and last up to two days. Based on proximity and topography, the controlled flare could be visible for a few miles.
Full story >>
Drilling bill gets mixed reviews
The gas impact fee legislation that was passed by the House Wednesday and was headed for the governor's desk got a thumbs up from the area's largest driller but was met with doubt by some of the area's municipal leaders.
Full story >>
U.S. oil and gas M&A jumped in '11
Associated Press NEW YORK - Interest in U.S. energy companies spiked in 2011 as buyers clamored for more access to oil-rich layers of North American shale, a consulting and accounting firm said Wednesday.
Full story >>
Repsol YPF raises estimate for Argentine shale potential
SANTIAGO, Chile - Repsol YPF on Wednesday raised the estimate for potentially recoverable oil and gas in its part of Argentina's "Vaca Muerta" (Dead Cow) basin to the equivalent of nearly 23 billion barrels, indicating a total shale deposit big enough to enable Argentina to challenge the United States in non-conventional petroleum production.
Full story >>
Driller appeals Morris zoning decision
An oil and gas drilling company has filed an appeal challenging the validity of the Morris Township land-use ordinance and a township zoning board decision denying its appeal of an alleged land-use violation.
Full story >>
Gas-impact bill goes to Corbett
HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign a sweeping bill that could force Pennsylvania's booming natural gas industry to help pay for a wide range of state and local government programs, toughen safety standards and limit the ability of local officials to keep drilling out of their towns.
Full story >>
GOP lawmakers seek vote on Pa. gas drilling bill
HARRISBURG - A final framework is at hand on sweeping legislation to impose an impact fee and update safety regulations on Pennsylvania's booming natural gas industry, top Republican state lawmakers say.
Full story >>
Action on gas impact bills on horizon in Pa.
A conference committee could be convening within the next few days to reconcile separate measures from Pennsylvania's House of Representatives and Senate to give the state oversight of oil and gas drilling, while some local elected officials in the region are trying to rally 11th-hour opposition.
Full story >>
Gas drilling lease changes irk residents tied to park
Three West Middletown-area residents and one with family ties to the area chastised Washington County commissioners Thursday, saying they would have preferred more notice on an amendment to the lease with Range Resources for natural gas drilling in Cross Creek County Park.
Full story >>
Associated Press NEW YORK - Interest in U.S. energy companies spiked in 2011 as buyers clamored for more access to oil-rich layers of North American shale, a consulting and accounting firm said Wednesday.
Full story >>
Repsol YPF raises estimate for Argentine shale potential
SANTIAGO, Chile - Repsol YPF on Wednesday raised the estimate for potentially recoverable oil and gas in its part of Argentina's "Vaca Muerta" (Dead Cow) basin to the equivalent of nearly 23 billion barrels, indicating a total shale deposit big enough to enable Argentina to challenge the United States in non-conventional petroleum production.
Full story >>
Driller appeals Morris zoning decision
An oil and gas drilling company has filed an appeal challenging the validity of the Morris Township land-use ordinance and a township zoning board decision denying its appeal of an alleged land-use violation.
Full story >>
Gas-impact bill goes to Corbett
HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign a sweeping bill that could force Pennsylvania's booming natural gas industry to help pay for a wide range of state and local government programs, toughen safety standards and limit the ability of local officials to keep drilling out of their towns.
Full story >>
GOP lawmakers seek vote on Pa. gas drilling bill
HARRISBURG - A final framework is at hand on sweeping legislation to impose an impact fee and update safety regulations on Pennsylvania's booming natural gas industry, top Republican state lawmakers say.
Full story >>
Action on gas impact bills on horizon in Pa.
A conference committee could be convening within the next few days to reconcile separate measures from Pennsylvania's House of Representatives and Senate to give the state oversight of oil and gas drilling, while some local elected officials in the region are trying to rally 11th-hour opposition.
Full story >>
Gas drilling lease changes irk residents tied to park
Three West Middletown-area residents and one with family ties to the area chastised Washington County commissioners Thursday, saying they would have preferred more notice on an amendment to the lease with Range Resources for natural gas drilling in Cross Creek County Park.
Full story >>
