Act 13 Debated at Pitt Symposium
Pennsylvania's law governing Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania, has made headlines because of its zoning rules, how it treats municipalities, and whether it is constitutional.
View ArticleGov. Corbett's Spending Plan Ties DCNR, DEP Budgets to Gas Drilling Revenues
Democratic State Senators have a few problems with Governor Tom Corbett's proposed budgets for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Department of Environmental Protection...
View ArticleShould Gas Companies Be Able to Use Acid Mine Drainage for Fracking?
Acid mine drainage is the most widespread water pollution problem in Pennsylvania. When water wells up inside abandoned coalmines, it leaches the iron compound ‘pyrite’ from the rock to form an acidic,...
View ArticleWater Quality Monitors Wanted
3 Rivers Quest monitors water quality in rivers, tributaries and headwater streams that drain more than 25,000 square miles in five states. Local watershed groups may apply for grants up to $7000 to...
View ArticleFed Beige Book Mentions PA Drilling Impact
The U.S. Federal Reserve's latest survey of regional economic trends is mentioning the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom.The Fed's latest Beige Book issued Wednesday mentions that Pennsylvania banks see...
View ArticleSettlement over Health Impact of Drilling Unsealed
A Washington County judge says the public has the right to see a sealed settlement between gas drilling companies and a family that claimed the drilling operations damaged their health.Judge Debbie...
View ArticleNew Organization Will Independently Certify Shale Companies for Pollution...
A new Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization has been created to independently certify companies that develop shale natural gas based on their adherence to 15 pollution control standards.The Center...
View ArticleDrilling Companies Agree to Settle Fracking Contamination Case for $750,000
Range Resources, MarkWest Energy and Williams Gas agreed to settle a high profile contamination case in Washington County for $750,000, according to recently unsealed court records. An order to unseal...
View ArticleKrancer Steps Down as Pennsylvania DEP Director
Gov. Tom Corbett has announced Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer is stepping down April 15. He plans to return home to Montgomery County to practice law.Corbett appointed...
View ArticleFederal Study: Shale Development Fragmenting Allegheny County Forests
A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) delineates how the construction of new roads and pipelines for Marcellus Shale natural gas development and other energy industries can mince up local...
View ArticleCMU Symposium Examines Implications of Shale Gas on Regional, US Economy
The Department of Energy estimates that gas from shale is expected to account for roughly half of the country’s natural gas supply by 2040. Pennsylvania is playing a major role, thanks to development...
View ArticleState Website Shows Where Marcellus Shale Impact Money is Going
A year after Pennsylvania enacted an impact fee on the Marcellus Shale industry, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) launched a new website that would allow the general public and local governments to...
View ArticleHouse Dems, Environmentalists Seek to Block Drilling in Loyalsock State Forest
State House Democrats and environmental advocates are asking the Corbett administration to block natural gas drilling in a state forest that straddles three counties in the thick of Marcellus Shale...
View ArticleIndustry Group Tries To Improve Drilling Trucks' Safety Record
In June 2010, Pennsylvania State Police placed 250 trucks hauling wastewater or supporting shale drilling operations out of service along with 45 drivers. Three months later, in the next “Operation...
View ArticleFerlo Proposes Moratorium on Marcellus Shale Drilling
At a Harrisburg rally yesterday, there were petitions signed by 100,000 people for Gov. Tom Corbett, and State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) announced he will introduce legislation calling for a...
View ArticleSenate Panel Approves Bills to Expand Natural Gas Services
A pair of bills moving through the state legislature aim to give consumers more access to Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas reserves.Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) is the primary sponsor of Senate Bills...
View ArticlePitt Study Finds Perceptions of Fracking Linked with Higher Stress Levels
A small sampling of people living near Marcellus Shale development sites were found to have higher rates of perceived health problems and stress levels.That’s according to a study done by researchers...
View ArticlePoll Shows Support for a Drilling Moratorium in Pennsylvania
A new poll out Tuesday shows strong support for a moratorium on natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania, despite showing general support for gas extraction.The Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy at...
View ArticleMarcellus Shale Attracts Swift Worldwide Resources to Pittsburgh
The Marcellus Shale boom in western Pennsylvania has gained the attention of oil and gas companies, and they are seeing new opportunities in Pittsburgh.One of the businesses making a move to Pittsburgh...
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