Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Wed, Jan 18, 2012

The “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading:

Critics challenge gas zoning loss
The Times-Tribune
A local resident referred to Dallas Twp.’s experience with Marcellus Shale industry facilities Tuesday as a key reason to oppose impact fee legislation that would make the state attorney general referee in disputes over gas zoning ordinances.

Cracker Magnet Measure Arrives
The Intelligencer
West Virginia would offer a 25-year break from property taxes to attract a new chemical plant fueled by the state’s emerging Marcellus natural gas industry, under a proposal from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin that debuted in the Legislature on Tuesday.

MLPs See Growing Energy Profits From Shale
Seeking Alpha
Energy production has been growing rapidly in recent years, even through uneven growth for the overall economy.

‘Grassland protection’ restriction could harm farmers’ abilities to mow, harvest hay
Steuben Courier
Marcellus Shale drilling supporters want Steuben County to do something about a proposed environmental restriction they say will hurt farmers already struggling to make ends meet.

L.B. Foster works to revive steel mill
Business Journal
A Pittsburgh-based company is helping to revive a shuttered Youngstown, Ohio, steel mill that is getting new life in the natural gas industry.

Deadline to submit ideas for $50,000 Marcellus Shale contest – Jan 30.
PennLive.com
Jan. 30 is the deadline for entries to a contest seeking the best new ideas supporting innovation and research in the Marcellus Shale .