Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Fri, Apr 20, 2012

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

Dow Chemical picks Freeport, Texas, for new ethylene cracker
Plastics News
The cracker will be part of an overall investment of $4 billion in Dow’s ethylene and propylene production in the U.S. Gulf Coast, officials with Midland, Mich.-based Dow said in an April 19 news release.

Former DEP secretary: Natural gas is top energy choice
PhillyBurbs.com
The benefits of natural gas drilling strongly outweigh its environmental impacts, said former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Agency Secretary John Hanger.

Penn. natgas drillers short water due to drought
Reuters
Drought conditions in Pennsylvania have forced at least one natural gas driller to scale back production as companies temporarily suspend withdrawing water needed for drilling in certain dry areas.

Without funding, Md. fracking could face delay
WTOP-FM Washington
Failure to pass legislation that would have forced energy companies to fund gas drilling studies could mean more delays for those wanting to tap in the natural gas lurking in western Maryland.

PUC: Feds foil training of pipe inspectors
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The state Public Utility Commission says the federal government stands in its way of training pipeline safety inspectors to keep up with growth of the natural gas industry.

Residents question safety, oversight at meeting about natural gas compressor station explosion
The Times-Tribune
State regulators and natural gas company officials faced nearly two hours of questions from residents about safety, air pollution and eroded public confidence during a briefing Tuesday night at Montrose Area High School about a recent natural gas compressor station explosion.

Po Guest Essay: Despite zoning issue, Act 13 off to a strong start
Chambersburg Public Opinion
When Gov. Tom Corbett signed Act 13 into law on Feb. 14, it marked the culmination of three years of work by the Legislature in crafting a comprehensive Marcellus Shale legislative package.

Trailer park becomes Aqua America’s PR problem
Philly.com
When Aqua America Inc. bought a 12.5-acre waterfront site in Lycoming County in February, the Bryn Mawr company acquired more than a $550,000 property to build a water project to serve Marcellus Shale natural gas interests.

U.S. Energy Independence in 15 Years?
Forbes.com
Today the Obama administration tightened oil and gas industry regulations, forcing drillers to capture air pollutants released during well construction-including during hydraulic fracturing -in new wells.

Natural gas pipeline in southern York County delayed
The York Daily Record
Residents planning to voice their opinions at upcoming public meetings on a proposed natural gas pipeline through southern York County will have to wait a bit longer to be heard.

Obama a Threat to Low Cost Gas
Energy Tribune
If it is possible to kill the layer of the golden egg, that is low natural gas prices, you can count on the Obama administration to find a way.

Gas drilling spurs jobs in wildlife, software
PressConnects.com
Before work begins on a gas well or pipeline in northern Pennsylvania, Merlin Benner or one of his colleagues walks the land looking for timber rattlesnakes, a protected species.

House Democrats support Kasich’s plan to tax oil and natural gas
Business Journal
Democrats in the Ohio House are getting behind Republican Gov. John Kasich ‘s plan to boost the state’s severance tax on oil and natural gas production but not the governor’s corresponding proposal to cut Ohio’s income tax.