MarcellusGasInfo Recent Gas Drilling News (01-05-11 11:30PM EST)

http://www.sustainableotsego.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=42&Itemid=87 Recent Gas Drilling News (01-05-11 11:30PM EST): “Montco firm was ordered to stop accepting Marcellus wastewater: “…Much of the liquid – primarily contaminated water from the hydraulic fracturing process – was discharged into Neshaminy Creek after it had been treated, a process that removes some solids, but does not purify the waste. George Stark, spokesman for Cabot Oil & Gas Co., the Texas gas driller that produced the wastewater at its Susquehanna County well sites, said the contractor that treated its wastewater sent it to the Philadelphia area without Cabot’s knowledge. “As soon as we discovered the water was being sent to the Delaware River basin, the operation ceased,” Stark said…” ” (The Philadelphia Inquirer)- http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-05/business/27010869_1_wastewater-discharges-marcellus-shale “Gas Driller Cabot in Trouble Again: “…This time it is the Delaware River Basin Commission, which regulates activities in the Delaware River watershed, that has come down on the company. The DRBC has ordered a wastewater treatment facility to stop accepting wastes from Cabot because the company sent 1.8 million gallons of contaminated wastewater from hydraulic fracturing activities to a Pennsylvania township, where much of it was discharged improperly into Neshaminy Creek – a tributary to the Delaware River – without being treated…” ” (NRDC)- http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ksinding/gas_driller_cabot_in_trouble_a.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+switchboard_all+%28Switchboard%3A+Blogs+from+NRDC%27s+Environmental+Experts%29 “DEP’s Marcellus Shale Gas drilling permitting authority questioned: “…The ADP sated, “There is no commission with such authority in western Pennsylvania, however, and the DEP lacks statutory authority under state law to issue water withdrawal permits.” In his response to the Allegheny Defense Project, Secretary Hanger acknowledges that the DEP’s approval of a “water management plan” (WMP) does not, in fact, constitute an actual authorization to withdraw water from streams, lakes, and rivers. Secretary Hanger responded with the following disclaimer:…” ” (The Courier Express) (PA)- http://www.thecourierexpress.com/jdemocratjdemocratlocal/904342-349/deps-marcellus-shale-gas-drilling-permitting-authority.html “Pennsylvania’s Drilling Wastewater Released to Streams, Some Unaccounted For” (ProPublica)- http://www.propublica.org/article/pennsylvanias-drilling-wastewater-released-to-streams-some-unaccounted-for “Natural gas drilling: Polluted wastewater, partially treated, pours into Pa.” (MAP, AP)- http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/html_1c3d67e6-182c-11e0-9a2a-001cc4c002e0.html “State oversight assures safe water/Pennsylvania is meeting Marcellus challenges/Pa. is monitoring Marcellus shale wastewater/AP article ignored DEP effort/State oversight assures safe water/Official: Pa. protects drinking water sources from drilling wastewater: “…The state’s booming Marcellus drilling industry is creating challenges, but Pennsylvania has stepped up to meet those challenges at every turn…” ” (Letter from PADEP Secretary John Hanger) (PA)- http://www.phillyburbs.com/opinions/opinion_details/article/363/2011/january/06/state-oversight-assures-safe-water.html , http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/opinion/open-letters/24288-pennsylvania-is-meeting-marcellus-challenges?cmpid=bcpanel14 , http://articles.mcall.com/2011-01-05/opinion/mc-dep-waste-water-hanger-yv-0106-20110105_1_drinking-water-wastewater-water-supply , http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/lettereditor/01-06-2011-Hanger-Letter , http://www.phillyburbs.com/opinions/opinion_details/article/363/2011/january/06/state-oversight-assures-safe-water.html & http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/01/06/opinion/doc4d254c51a1c60628153537.txt?viewmode=fullstory NY, PA & NJ: “Cuomo’s People: Who Will Head the Major Agencies?: “…The Department’s jurisdiction does cover drinking water safety, but so far the agency has not weighed in on the public debate regarding hydrofracking – a controversial method of drilling into the Marcellus Shale to extract natural gas that critics worry could pollute soil and ground water. If the state allows hydrofracking, the Department of Health would work with the Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor any effects on the water that could pose a risk to public health…The Department of Public Service is the staff arm of the governor-appointed Public Service Commission. This is the department that will be reviewing the natural gas pipeline applications generated by any drilling into the Marcellus shale, or hydrofracking…It is responsible for gas and petroleum pipeline safety…” ” (WNYC) (NY)- http://www.wnyc.org/articles/its-free-country/2011/jan/04/cuomos-people-who-will-head-major-agencies/ “Cuomo’s choice for DEC chief pleases fracking foes” (Watershed Post)- http://www.watershedpost.com/2011/cuomos-choice-dec-chief-pleases-fracking-foes “Norse Energy Announces Year-End Production Update: “…Looking forward, the Company has now identified high quality Herkimer prospects on 3D seismic to support all of its planned 2011 drilling. The company plans to continue pipeline expansion to support higher production volumes expected as a result of accelerated Herkimer development…The Company has a significant land position of 180,000 net acres in New York State. The Company also owns a natural gas marketing business and operates pipeline systems in New York and Pennsylvania for gathering and transmission of natural gas…” ” (Norse Energy)- http://www.cisionwire.com/norse-energy-corp-asa/norse-energy-announces-year-end-production-update71017 “My View: Real victory for state is veto of fracking moratorium: “…Brad Gill is executive director of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York…” ” (Times Herald-Record/Dow Jones Local Media Group, Inc.) (NY)- http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110105/OPINION/101050321/-1/SITEMAP “Imagine that: “…Now don’t get me wrong, I’m completely aware of the potential benefits for drilling the Marcellus Shale here in Chenango County, yet , unlike far too many people, I’ve also taken the time to ponder the possible dangers. I’m not going to waste your time (or mine) going over the details of either argument, I think we’ve all heard them enough by this time that it’s completely unnecessary. No, my problem with natural gas drilling, or any type of drilling, really, is simple. No matter how scientifically and technologically proficient we’ve become as a species, there is, literally, nothing we’ve created that’s fool-proof. Nothing…” ” (The Evening Sun)- http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2011-01-05/11267/Imagine-that/ “Be informed: “…Please take time to research hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” and gain an understanding of what it is really all about…” ” (Letter to editor, The Daily Freeman) (NY)- http://www.dailyamerican.com/articles/2011/01/04/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter039.txt “IVAN LAJARA: 2011 a great year to review 2010: “…7. “What’s the fracking problem?” ( http://dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/08/11/life/doc4c620ab2b93e0267102739.txt ) Notable passage: “To take that gas, energy companies devised a method that they say is safe. It consists of safely pumping millions of safely and deliciously chemically treated water horizontally and deeply into the safely shaky ground, safely fracturing it and hopefully and safely releasing up to 500 trillion cubic feet of safe gas, which is safe. See? Nothing can go wrong.”…” ” (The Daily Freeman) (NY)- http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2011/01/05/life/doc4d239e2a27af9338482552.txt?viewmode=fullstory “Activists, pols say Paterson watered down fracking ban” (Downtown Express) (NY)- http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_402/activistpols.html “Green Watchdog Group’s Response to Governor Cuomo’s 1st State of the State Address: “…”Environmental Advocates of New York applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo’s intention to reclaim the state’s position as a progressive leader and encourages him to focus on pressing issues including reducing the pollution that is changing our climate, safeguarding our drinking water from hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, and enforcing existing environmental laws. We are interested in learning more about the Governor’s ‘Cleaner, Greener Communities Program,’ which will encourage New York communities to bolster environmental protection while creating jobs and revitalizing our cities.” …” ” (Environmental Advocates of New York)- http://www.eany.org/news/010511.html “Cecil Says Range Resources Unresponsive; Lack of Permits Could Mean Fines: “…Some residents and township officials in Cecil have found themselves in a game of hide-and-go-seek with representatives from natural gas drilling company Range Resources. At a board meeting Monday, supervisors Chairman Mike Debbis said representatives from the company have failed to respond to requests from Solicitor John Smith for input on potential changes to the ordinance governing oil and gas drilling. ..” ” (Canon-McMillan Patch) (PA)- http://canon-mcmillan.patch.com/articles/cecil-says-range-resources-unresponsive-lack-of-permits-could-mean-fines “Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition Plans Presentation At Rice Township Meeting: “…”Why not be proactive and protect the community ahead of time?” says Jiunta. “Many gas drilling contamination problems have happened far away from the drill sites and the air pollution problems are far-reaching, even if gas drilling is not directly in Mountaintop, there can be problems. Mountaintop has had problems with corporate waste in the past, and the boom and bust cycle of short economic prosperity for a very small few is not worth the negative effects environmentally or economically after the drillers go back to their home states.”..” ” (The Mountain Eagle)- http://www.mteagle.com/atf.php?sid=12761 “Our opinion: Who pays the tab?: “…Compounding the problem is this: The great gas rush of 2010 has seemed to have caught both the state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency somewhat off-guard. Millions of gallons of untreated frack water have already been discharged into surface waters, although the major drilling companies are promising to recycle most, if not all of their fluids in the future. DEP admits it can’t account for the whereabouts of more than a million gallons of water because of poor record keeping…” ” ( The Times Observer) (PA)- http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/543379/Our-opinion–Who-pays-the-tab-.html?nav=5008 “Marcellus Awareness Group to meet: “…The Peters Township Marcellus Shale Awareness Group, a group of Peters Township residents concerned about the impact of Marcellus Shale gas drilling, is sponsoring an informational meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Peters Township Public Library Community Room. Speakers will include Ben Price, projects director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund; Veronica Coptis, community organizer for Mountain Watershed Association; and Suzanne Seppi, project manager for the Group Against Smog and Pollution…”" (Observer-Dispatch) (PA)- http://www.greenecountyliving.net/or/localnews/01-05-2011-marcellus-meeting “City Council’s Report on Marcellus Shale’s Impacts on City of Philadelphia: “…The City Council of Philadelphia – the largest city in Pennsylvania, which is downstream from the gas rigs in the Delaware and Schuylkill River drainage basins and will therefore bear the most burden from drilling – has just released its findings on the Marcellus Shale, possible impacts on Philadelphia, and what direction public policy should take…” ” (Fracking and Penn’s Woods) (PA)- http://frackingandpennswoods.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/hello-world/ “N. Beth the latest to draft Marcellus ordinance: “…North Bethlehem Township supervisors have become the latest municipal leaders to want to set limitations on the booming Marcellus Shale industry. They will hold a workshop tomorrow on an ordinance regulating natural gas operations as the Southpointe-based Rice Energy LLC makes plans to construct four drilling sites in the township, supervising Chairman Robert Taylor said…” ” (Observer-Dispatch)- http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/01-05-2011-N–Beth-Marcellus “Hearing scheduled for proposed change to subdivision ordinance: “…A proposed amendment to the county’s subdivision and land development ordinance that addresses some issues associated with natural gas drilling is moving forward. The amendment developed by the county planning commission in 2010 addresses compressor stations and hydraulic fracturing water treatment facilities. A public hearing regarding the proposed amendment will be held immediately following the Jan. 26 meeting of the county commissioners. The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. in the downstairs conference room of the county office building, Public Ave., Montrose..” ” (The Susquehanna Independent Weekender) (PA)- http://independentweekender.com/index.php/2011/01/05/hearing-scheduled-for-proposed-change-to-subdivision-ordinance/ “Drilling meeting in Benton draws a crowd: “…For communities hoping to protect themselves against the risks of shale gas drilling, a community rights ordinance adopted in Pittsburgh that bans drilling in the city is an effective model, an organizer with the nonprofit that helped draft the ordinance said Tuesday. More than 100 people crowded a meeting room at the Fleetville Fire Hall to listen to Ben Price, projects director for the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, talk about the ordinance that is now being considered by municipalities in 20 counties…” ” (Times-Shamrock Communications) (PA)- http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://standardspeaker.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://republicanherald.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://newsitem.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://citizensvoice.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://thedailyreview.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://www.thevalleyadvantage.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://citizenstandard.com/news/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd-1.1086093 , http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4786858 , http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4784778 & http://celdf.org/drilling-meeting-in-benton-draws-a-crowd “Site prep under way for drilling in Wyoming County/Carrizo preps Wyoming County drill site: “…Site preparation is under way at Carrizo Marcellus LLC’s first Wyoming County exploratory natural gas well, located off Route 29 in Monroe Twp., and the drilling rig should be coming in about two weeks…The well will be vertical at first; engineers can test it and determine whether it should then be drilled horizontally…The company is also planning wells in other parts of Wyoming County. State Department of Environmental Protection records show Carrizo has permits for wells on the Selma Stang and Sickler properties and is awaiting one for the Solanick property, all in Washington Twp. DEP records also show Carrizo is working on a well on the Baker property in Forest Lake Twp., Susquehanna County, and is planning two more: at the Bonnice site in Bridgewater and Jessup townships and the Shaskas in Jessup Twp. The company is also active at sites in Rush Twp. in Centre County and Woodward and Sandy townships in Clearfield County. Besides Carrizo, three other gas companies are either drilling or making plans to drill at sites throughout Wyoming County: Chesapeake Appalachia, Chief Oil & Gas and Citrus Energy…” ” (Times-Shamrock Communications) (PA)- http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-drilling/site-prep-under-way-for-drilling-in-wyoming-county-1.1086091 , http://newsitem.com/news/gas-drilling/site-prep-under-way-for-drilling-in-wyoming-county-1.1086091 , http://republicanherald.com/news/gas-drilling/site-prep-under-way-for-drilling-in-wyoming-county-1.1086091 , http://citizensvoice.com/news/drilling/carrizo-preps-wyoming-county-drill-site-1.1085881 & http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4785583 “Authority: Discharge met its regulations: “…Levittown — The Hatfield Municipal Sewer Authority said it did nothing wrong in accepting treated wastewater from Marcellus Shale drilling operations. Wastewater used for Marcellus Shale gas drilling was treated by the Hatfield Municipal Sewer Authority over a one-year period starting in April 2009, but the water was treated twice and met authority regulations for discharge into the Neshaminy Creek, the authority’s director said Tuesday. The authority stopped handling the water, however, because of regulations restricting trucking wastewater from one watershed into another…” ” (phillyBurbs) (PA)- http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/the_intelligencer/the_intelligencer_news_details/article/27/2011/january/05/authority-discharge-met-its-regulations.html , http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times/courier_times_news_details/article/28/2011/january/05/authority-claims-water-discharge-met-regulations.html & http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40921236/ns/local_news-delaware_valley_pa/nj/ “Inquirer Editorial: Can Corbett cut cash cord?: “…Gov.-elect Tom Corbett doesn’t need to look very far to find important reasons to monitor natural-gas drillers with vigilance. The incoming governor received large campaign donations from the industry, and ran on a promise not to impose a production tax on drillers. For the sake of public health, however, Corbett needs to show he takes tough regulation of his friends seriously…” ” (The Philadelphia Inquirer) (PA)- http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-05/news/27010877_1_booming-natural-gas-industry-drillers-gas-drilling National & International: “01/05/2011 Natural Gas Daily Report” (The Carbon Capture Report)- http://gas.carboncapturereport.org/cgi-bin//dailyreport?DATE=2010-01-05 “Former Dynegy execs launch energy marketing firm: “…Two former Dynegy executives said on Wednesday they have formed a Houston-based energy marketing firm, with backing from the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer, Chesapeake Energy Corp…”Any opportunity for the gas industry to displace or find new markets will be explored,” Jones said, citing coal-plant conversions, gas-fueled vehicles and natural gas exports…” : (Reuters)- http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0529305420110105 “Chesapeake To Slow Land Buying, Sell Assets In 2011 – Executive: “…Chesapeake Energy Corp.(CHK) plans to slow spending on land in 2011 while raising cash through joint ventures and a sale of pipeline assets to a subsidiary, a company executive told investors on Wednesday…Chesapeake says its joint-venture sales amounted to $4.4 billion in 2010. Kilgallon said Chesapeake plans soon to announce a new joint venture that will be similar to the Cnooc pact on its acreage in the Niobrara shale formation, which spreads over parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas. And it anticipates making a separate deal to sell a stake in an unnamed shale play that includes more than one million acres, Kilgallon said. Chesapeake will also likely sell assets to Chesapeake Midstream Partners LP ( CHKM) in a deal similar to last month’s $500 million drop-down of Louisiana pipelines to the subsidiary, Kilgallon said. “You’re going to see much more cash that is flowing into the company along with the reduced leasehold spending,” he said…” ” (Dow Jones Newswires)- http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201101051516dowjonesdjonline000389&title=chesapeake-to-slow-land-buyingsell-assets-in-2011-executive “Reliance Industries Hires Consultants To Advise On Expansion – Source: “…Reliance Industries Ltd. (500235.BY) has hired global consultancy firms to advise on driving India’s biggest company by market value toward the next stage of expansion, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday…umbai-based Reliance, which operates the world’s biggest refining complex in western India’s Gujarat state, has also interests in textiles and retail. The company had spent $3.4 billion in 2010 to buy into three U.S. shale gas projects with an aim to gain expertise to help it develop domestic reserves…” ” (Dow Jones Newswires)- http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110105-702921.html “To Stop Gas Drilling, Arlington Activist Takes BlackBerries By Storm: “…A giant gas company’s forward rush to drill near the Dallas Cowboys stadium is being held up by one activist, and a blitz of media coverage generated by her Change.org petition has been an enormous boost to her cause. Last night, the Arlington City Council last night delayed its decision on Chesapeake Energy’s dangerous gas drilling project. Kim Feil, a mother and homeowner who lives blocks from the site, started the petition to raise awareness about the risks of drilling so close to homes, workplaces and the stadium itself. More than 5,000 people who have already signed have flooded the city council with emails that members could not ignore despite their best efforts—especially as media in the Dallas-Fort Worth region got wind of her campaign on Monday…” ” (Texas)- http://environment.change.org/blog/view/to_stop_gas_drilling_arlington_activist_takes_blackberries_by_storm “New Nonprofit Offering Help With Tests That May Link Contaminated Water to Hydraulic Fracking: “…Founders of ShaleTest.Org, personally affected by drilling near their homes, launch nationwide effort to defer costs of expensive water, soil and air tests…” : (New West)- http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/new_nonprofit_offering_help_with_tests_that_may_link_contaminated_water_to_/C35/L35/ “US lawmakers protect natgas from new drilling regs/Lawmakers protect natgas from new drilling regulations: “…A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers pressed the Obama administration on the first day of the new Congress not to impose regulations curtailing drilling technique that taps hard-to-get natural gas reserves but has generated criticism about potential water pollution. Thirty-two members of the Congressional Natural Gas Caucus called on the Interior Department on Wednesday not to hinder producers who use hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from underground rock formations…” ” (Reuters)- http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0528331620110105 & http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7045RS20110105 “Oil, Gas Firms Find It Harder To Drill On U.S. Land: “…Since the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico, the oil industry has complained loudly that the government is dragging its feet in approving new offshore drilling projects. Now the industry says it’s experiencing similar problems in the Rocky Mountains. There, companies bid for the right to drill for natural gas on federal land. In recent years, environmental groups have found they can slow down the boom-town pace of drilling by challenging those leases, as a way of protecting special places. It’s a tactic that has upset companies that drill for natural gas…” ” (Audio, NPR)- http://www.npr.org/2011/01/05/132658302/oil-gas-firms-find-it-harder-to-drill-on-u-s-land “Natural Gas: Continually Running Into New Obstacles: “…Natural gas would like to be bridge fuel as we deal with oil shortages, but it keeps running into obstacles. A big obstacle is the fact that the price is now too low, relative to what it costs to extract the natural gas…1) An EPA ruling against Range Resources regarding the contamination of two wells in Texas’ Barnett Shale. 2) An EPA analysis that says escaping greenhouse gases are more of a problem than previously assumed, particularly for well completions and hydraulic fracturing after completion…” ” (OilPrice)- http://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Natural-Gas-Continually-Running-Into-New-Obstacles.html “Oil industry argues for more production: “…WASHINGTON — The oil and gas industry’s leading trade group on Tuesday implored the new Congress to raise government revenue by boosting access to federal oil and gas reserves instead of hiking taxes on energy companies…” ” (Houston Chronicle)- http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/7366234.html “Is the End of Coal Already Here?: “…there were no new coal plants started in 2009 or 2010. What’s going on? Surely it’s not a wave of concern over global warming. That would be an environmentalist’s dream come true, but it has a lot more to do with the low price of natural gas, shale gas discoveries and litigation by groups like the Sierra Club…” ” (RP Siegel)- http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/01/coal-already/ “Fracking’s short, dirty story: “…Here is a short list of fracking-related troubles that have arisen across the country in recent years…” ” (San Antonio Current)- http://sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71892 “Ciris Energy turns coal into cash with $24m funding round: “…The company has developed technology to convert underground coal and mined low-rank coal into pipeline-quality methane. Methane is the key constituent of natural gas, which emits far less carbon dioxide and other pollutants than burning coal. Natural gas is expected to play an increasing role in US power production, especially after the discovery of huge volumes of shale gas, and its use could help remove 44 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from power generation by 2030, according to a study by Deutsche Bank. Ciris is one of a number of firms working on technologies capable of bringing exhausted coal seams back into production, but it claims its methods are less expensive than both natural gas development and other gasification processes…” ” (BusinessGreen)- http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/1934800/ciris-energy-coal-cash-usd24m-funding-round “Politics: What to Expect from the Republicans on Energy Policy: “…Gerard called on the government to increase access to oil and natural gas deposits onshore and off. That means lowering the barriers of regulation to potentially vast deposits of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in the Northeast—even though there are still unanswered questions over the environmental impact of the hydrofracking processed needed to access that gas. That means smoothing access to offshore oil and gas deposits in Arctic Alaska—even though both environmentalists and native Alaskans are worried about the havoc a spill could cause in that unforgiving climate. And that means holding off on any tax increases on the oil and gas industry—although what Administration has proposed doing isn’t so much an actual tax increase as it is reducing the industry’s valuable subsidies and tax loopholes…” ” (Time)- http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2011/01/05/politics-what-to-expect-from-the-republicans-on-energy/ “Debra Winger Launches Controversial Gasland DVD”- http://www.looktothestars.org/news/5603-debra-winger-launches-controversial-gasland-dvd “The Results of Energy Policy: “…They found that access to off-limits oil and gas could yield up to an extra 2.8 million barrels per day of oil and gas liquids and 6.6 billion cubic feet per day of gas by 2025, with direct and indirect gains in employment of more than 500,000 workers. By contrast, increasing taxes on the industry would not only reduce production and employment, as domestic opportunities become less attractive than those elsewhere, but also reduce total federal revenues from taxes, royalties and leasing, following a brief uptick in the initial period after their introduction…” ” (Energy Outlook)- http://energyoutlook.blogspot.com/2011/01/results-of-energy-policy.html & http://theenergycollective.com/geoffrey-styles/49370/results-energy-policy “OU researchers developing shale gas reservoir simulator: “…The project is supported with $1,053,778 from the Research for Partnership to Secure Energy for America plus an additional $250,000 in matching funds from a consortium of six oil and gas producing companies…According to Sigal, “Current commercial simulators do not successfully predict the amount of water produced. Researchers need to model the deposition of this water to better understand the reservoir and address concerns the effects this water can have on shallow aquifers. One goal of the simulator project is to determine and provide the capacity to model frac water deposition.”…” ” (University of Oklahoma)- http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-ou-shale-gas-reservoir-simulator.html “Bossier Parish to consider noise ordinance: “…The proposed ordinance was originally drafted by an acoustic consulting firm in August 2010 to address future noise from compressor stations, among other things. It has since undergone several revisions to reflect the suggestions and concerns of industries that would be affected by its regulations…” ” (Louisiana)- http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110105/NEWS01/110105018/Bossier-Parish-to-consider-noise-ordinance- “Region Briefs: Downtown Kiwanis hosts presentation about shale: “…Gary Hanson, director of the LSUS Red River Watershed Management Institute, will present information on the Haynesville Shale and other major shale plays in the U.S., at noon Thursday at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 102 Lake St. Hanson also will discuss challenges and risks associated with natural gas drilling, including hydraulic fracturing…” ” (Louisiana)- http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110105/NEWS01/101050334/Region-Briefs-Downtown-Kiwanis-hosts-presentation-about-shale “County Health Department Introduces Water Testing Program: “…”We’re absolutely committed to partnering with other local and state agencies to ensure that these industries, current and future, are good corporate citizens,” Vins said…” ” (Video, WKBN) (Ohio)- http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/County-Health-Department-Introduces-Water-Testing/YIKnHCr1wEWPUgF3TlsGGg.cspx “Community meetings set on gas drilling: “…The meetings are Jan. 20 and 27 at Oakwood Middle School at 2300 Schneider St. NE. Both begin at 7 p.m. and will last about two hours. The meetings sprang from a dispute in December over Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials attending a Plain Township trustees’ meeting to discuss drilling. The dispute led to conflicting meetings…Local radio personality Ron Ponder of WHBC-AM 1480 will serve as moderator for the meetings and has taken the lead in organizing both. Ponder said he believes two meetings are needed to cover the drilling issue. The Jan. 20 meeting is set to include a panel discussion of hydraulic fracturing, with opponents and supporters making presentations. A question-and-answer session moderated by Ponder will follow. ODNR representatives are scheduled to make a presentation and answer questions during the Jan. 27 meeting…” ” (Ohio)- http://www.cantonrep.com/stark/x493326265/Community-meetings-set-on-gas-drilling “Briefing to highlight issues on oil, gas leasing: “…The program will be facilitated by Dale Arnold, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation director for energy services…” ” (Ohio)- http://www.timesreporter.com/communities/x1458592255/Briefing-to-highlight-issues-on-oil-gas-leasing “Hydraulic fracturing in Eagle Ford Shale lowering water tables: “…While Eagle Ford Shale residents have not yet see the health impacts from gas extraction–they will–some people in the Eagle Ford Shale area are already seeing their water tables drop and even industry admits that it will get much worse…” ” (Texas)- http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2011/01/hydraulic-fracturing-in-eagle-ford.html “Sinking feelings: “…This time around, the wells are drilled horizontally, and then there’s the potential that hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” will have long-term effects on South Texas water tables in a region that has long struggled with drought. A typical fracked well in Karnes County uses 3 to 6 million gallons of water, which is pumped thousands of feet underground to release oil and gas from the shale formation. Many in Karnes County welcome the boom, but the water issue keeps confronting the oil industry. “They already know they’re gonna run this area out of water; there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it,” said Braudaway, whose livelihood still depends on oilfield services. For some folks, the water future of South Texas boils down to simple math – when you suddenly pull millions of gallons from local aquifers without replenishing that supply, there’s going to be less for homes, farms, and ranches. “We know it’s happening because our water well has already dropped in just three months,” said Allan Hedtke, a Karnes City resident…” ” (San Antonio Current) (Texas)- http://sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71891 “Arlington Council delays decision on gas drilling: “…ARLINGTON — There was a big debate Tuesday night over whether gas drilling will be allowed in the shadow of the new Cowboys Stadium. The City Council postponed a decision, asking Chesapeake Energy to come up with a new plan for additional truck traffic…” ” (Video, WFAA) (Texas)- http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Arlington–Council-delays-decision-on-gas-drilling-112915349.html “Arlington City Council tables vote on proposed Chesapeake gas well near Cowboys Stadium: “…In June, the council approved a specific-use permit for drilling at the site, but Mayor Robert Cluck and other members said Tuesday that they were not comfortable with Chesapeake’s proposed truck route, which would take heavy equipment down Division and Collins streets.”I don’t care that it’s 2,500 feet from the stadium. That’s not important to me. I do care about the transportation route,” Cluck told Chesapeake representative Tony Rutigliano during a public hearing…” ” (Texas)- http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/04/2744589/arlington-city-council-tables.html “Arlington Delays Vote on Gas Drilling Near Cowboys Stadium” (Texas)- http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/blue-star/Arlington-Delays-Vote-on-Gas-Drilling-Near-Cowboys-Stadium-112916799.html “Southlake extends discussion on first gas well until Feb. 1: “…The first gas well in Southlake was tabled by the City Council for the second time in two months early Wednesday morning. The council will continue the public hearing for the third time at its Feb. 1 meeting…” ” (Texas)- http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/05/2744907/southlake-extends-discussion-on.html “Natural gas proposal tabled: “…The decision on the first natural gas wells in Southlake will not come until February at the earliest after the city council tabled the item for the second time at its meeting Tuesday. ..Walter Dueease, senior regulatory affairs coordinator for XTO, said while it would be possible to complete the wells in two years, it is not ideal. Dueease said the company would like to initially drill four to six wells. At that point, the gas could be tested and the wells could be analyzed in order to determine the quality of the reservoir and the direction the next wells should be drilled in order to maximize gas production…” ” (Texas)- http://www.scntx.com/articles/2011/01/05/news_update/118.txt “Lewisville Grants Drilling Permits: “…Several Flower Mound city council members asked Lewisville to delay the vote until the drilling company provided more answers into how they planned to control emissions. Flower Mound said the initial plan was vague. The permits were approved by a 3-2 vote…” ” (Texas)- http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/Lewisville-Grants-Drilling-Permits-112938469.html “Lewisville approves 12 natural gas wells, water facility: “…The approval this week came over the objections of residents who considered the plans to reduce gas well emissions short on details. ..” ” (Texas)- http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/010611dnmetgaswells.489390.html “They don’t make Barnett Shale gas wells without pipelines: “…There are about 2,700 wells in Tarrant County alone and 15,000 in the 23-county Barnett Shale formation, according to the latest Railroad Commission data. With 241 companies active in the field, drilling won’t stop any time soon. That means it’s time — past time, really — for elected officials and state and local agencies to focus more attention on the proliferation of pipelines and whether they are being done right…” ” (Texas)- http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/05/2747323/they-dont-make-barnett-shale-gas.html “Update: New details about Flower Mound gas leak: “…At Monday’s Lewisville City Council meeting, a Williams quality control representative said Flower Mound Fire Department officers – who arrived on the scene within three minutes – did not shut off the equipment leading to the leaking value. Instead, they waited for a Williams technician – who arrived 28 minutes after the leak was reported…” ” (Texas)- http://lewisvilleblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/update-new-details-about-flowe.html “Decrease in Colorado drilling leads to blame game: Gas industry claims state’s over-regulation, not the global recession, is cause/Decrease in drilling leads to blame game: “…And, said attorney Scott Balcomb, the industry will not come back unless local and state governments stay out of the industry’s way…” ” (Colorado)- http://www.aspentimes.com/ARTICLE/20110105/NEWS/110109945/-1/RSS & http://www.postindependent.com/article/20110105/VALLEYNEWS/110109956/1083&parentprofile=1074 “Over-regulation charges persist despite third most drilling permits ever” (Colorado)- http://coloradoindependent.com/71005/over-regulation-charges-persist-despite-third-highest-number-of-drilling-permits-ever & http://www.americanindependent.com/163992/over-regulation-charges-persist-despite-third-most-drilling-permits-ever “Can Legislators Jumpstart Our Economy?: “…The governor also proposes taking nearly all of the oil and gas revenue that now goes to fund schools in those oil and gas producing counties in eastern Montana, and distributing the roughly $77 million across the state through a per-teacher allotment called the quality educator payment. Eric Feaver, who leads the powerful MEA-MFT union, said he likes Schweitzer’s redistribution of the oil and gas money, despite the outcry from those school districts already benefiting from it, and sees it as a challenge to Republicans to come up with a better way to fund the quality educator payment. “The oil and gas money is unutilized money,” Feaver said. “When school districts put a bunch of money in a sock and stuff it under the mattress, well, people will notice.”…” ” (Montana)- http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/can_the_legislature_boost_montanas_economy/21277/ “Group: Wyoming split-estate law needs improvements: “…Wyoming ought to toughen up its law aimed at preventing conflicts when petroleum companies seek to drill for oil or gas on private property with or without the landowner’s permission, a landowner group says. The Petroleum Association of Wyoming says the law went into effect six years ago following input from both landowners and industry, and now the Powder River Basin Resource Council wants to undo those efforts…” ” (AP) (Wyoming)- http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-05/group-wyoming-split-estate-law-needs-improvements.html “‘Fracking’ planned for Noble Basin wells: “…Bridger-Teton National Forest officials may permit an energy company to use hydraulic fracturing to drill 136 wells in the Noble Basin area of the Wyoming Range before an EPA study determines whether the technique is safe…The document goes on to say a 2004 Environmental Protection Agency study looked at the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on wells extracting gas from coalbed methane and “concluded no negative impacts have occurred to the quality of water in nearby drinking water wells. “However, EPA has agreed with concerns voiced since the publication of the 2004 study regarding the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water, human heath and the environment and has agreed to complete a new study to investigate the possible relationships between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water,” the document states. EPA researchers are expected to have preliminary results of the new fracking study by late 2012. Bridger-Teton officials have said they hope to have a final environmental document on the Noble Basin plan finished later this year. While the 2004 EPA study concluded the amount of fracturing fluid, including chemical additives, used during coalbed methane production wouldn’t affect groundwater quality, the environmental document says more water would be used during the Noble Basin project than is typically used during coalbed methane production…” ” (Wyoming)- http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=6849 “Samson wraps up Wyoming shoot: “…Samson said the 60.4 square mile shoot would assist in the appraisal of the area by the identifying naturally occurring fractures in the Cretaceous Niobrara formation and conventional structural targets…” ” (Wyoming)- http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article240630.ece “Inupiat hunter’s heirs strike blow against BP (Jan. 18, 2009): “…For many years, a Native family suspected a major oil company was shortchanging them for using a strategic piece of North Slope land to pump billions of dollars worth of oil…” ” (Alaska)- http://www.adn.com/2009/01/18/659429/inupiat-hunters-heirs-strike-blow.html?story_link=email_msg “Canadian natural gas producers brace for another lean year in 2011: “…Of the natural gas that is being exploited, most contains valuable liquids, a key feedstock for the petrochemical and plastics industries. Run-of-the-mill dry natural gas is being drilled mostly to allow companies to keep their land positions or fulfil their contractual obligations, Herring said…” ” (Canada)- http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/article/916562–canadian-natural-gas-producers-brace-for-another-lean-year-in-2011 “Natural gas leaks from wells no cause for concern: officials: “…The fact that natural gas is leaking from 19 of 31 shale gas wells in the Lower St. Lawrence is no cause for concern, officials in Quebec’s Natural Resources department said Wednesday. “It is not a worrisome situation, or anything out of the ordinary, but of course we are following it closely because we want to ensure that we waste as little as possible of this resource, which is a collective resource,” said Sébastien Desrochers, director of the oil and gas sector in the Ministry of Natural Resources…”" (Canada)- http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Natural+leaks+from+wells+cause+concern+officials/4065917/story.html