Stay Current With County's Daily News Site. For regular updates on Marcellus Shale natural gas issue as they affect Potter County, check the county's daily news site, Potter County Today. Bookmark the site and scroll through for the latest developments and archived stories.
DCNR Spells Out State Forest Land Impact.
A wealth of information on the impact of Marcellus Shale gas
production on state forest land has been posted on the Pa. Dept. of
Conservation and Natural Resources website. Nathan Bennett, a senior
geologist
with DCNR, and Susquehannock District Forester Chris Nicholas discussed
some of
the consequences of opening more forest land to drilling as guest
speakers at a Potter County Natural Gas Task meeting. Mineral
rights on roughly half of the 262,000 acres of the
Protecting Your Private Water Supply: Here's How:
Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has recently issued
detailed and easy-to-follow directions and advice for property owners
seeking to protect their private water supplies from nearby natural gas
drilling. Officials advise property owners to considering having their
water tested before and after drilling activity. A copy of this helpful
advice can be obtained here.
Industry Impact On Forests, Waters. PennEnvironment
has issued a report, "Protecting Forests, Protecting Waterways,"
studying the potential impact of Marcellus Shale natural gas impact on
water and land, and making recommendations to the state. For details: PennEnvironment.
Gas Industry Offers Web Resource. The
natural gas industry has formed an organization to disseminate
information about production from the Marcellus Shale and related
issues. Website for the Marcellus Shale Coalition is here: www.pamarcellus.com
Natural Gas From A Worldwide/Renewable Energy Perspective.
The Worldwatch Institute has launched an initiative designed to explore
and communicate the potential of natural gas, renewable energy, and
energy efficiency to work together to build a low-carbon economy. The
project provides a forum to examine potential environmental, social,
and political obstacles that must be addressed if natural gas is to
accelerate, rather than delay, a low-carbon energy transformation.
Partnering with leading companies, academic institutions, industry, and
the
public sector, the initiative will propose needed actions, with a focus
initially on the United States. Carl Roberts, a veteran geologist from
Coudersport, has reviewed the first in a series of briefing papers,
entitled "Addressing the Environmental Risks from Shal Gas
Development," and considers it to be an excellent source of
information. To obtain a copy of this report (registration required),
and to sign up for others, click here.
New Law Requires More Frequent Gas Production Data.
Pennsylvania has joined other major natural gas states in requiring the
prompt disclosure of production results. Under a new law, well-specific production data must be disclosed
every six months. Previous aw required state regulators to keep oil and
gas production data confidential for five years. Supporters say faster
disclosure will let landowners see
whether they are getting the royalties they are owed.
EPA Establishes Water Impact 'Tipline'.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created an "Eyes on
Drilling" tipline for citizens to report suspicious activities related
to natural gas and oil development. Citizens are asked to call,
toll-free, 1-877-919-4372, if they observe what appears to be illegal
disposal of wastes of other suspicious activity. Reports can also be
submitted by email to eyesondrilling@epa.gov. Further information on
the tipline can be found here.
Cooperative Extension Reaching Out. Penn
State Extension has been active in educating the public
about the Marcellus Gas phenomenon, including a partnership with Penn
College of Technology to form the Marcellus Shale Education and
Training Center. Learn more about Cooperative Extension’s information services through this website:
naturalgas.extension.psu.edu
