Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Mon, Apr 9, 2012

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

Drilling triggers big water business
Observer-Reporter.com
In the year since Aquatech International introduced its new mobile water treatment system for treating frackwater from Marcellus Shale drilling sites, it’s seen a good response from drilling companies looking for ways to recycle more of their wastewater for use on other drilling pads.

A Review: Key Resources on GIS for Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Directions Magazine
From the death nell of Lightsquared to the explosion of exploration activity in the Marcellus Shale, geospatial technology has been at work to solve some of the most crucial issues related to energy and telecommunication policy.

Natural gas prices hit 10-year low
Charleston Daily Mail
Low natural gas prices are stalling activity in north-central West Virginia and shifting activity into the Northern Panhandle and near the Ohio River, industry watchers say.

Professors Discuss Well Results
The Intelligencer
The 1.52 billion cubic feet of natural gas produced by Chesapeake Energy’s Harrison County Utica Shale well in 2011 would be enough to heat more than 30,000 homes in a year, a pair of college professors agree.

Northern Pennsylvania gas explosion was out of regulatory reach
Philly.com
Just two hours after the March 29 blast, a gas safety inspector from the state Public Utility Commission was on the scene to begin an investigation into possible violations of gas safety rules. But he did not get far.

Pipelines make good neighbors, some locals say
Evening Sun
Patricia Harman remembers that nice young man from Boston. He was working for the gas company, practically in Harman’s backyard.

Grisanti proposes fracking safeguards
Buffalo News
State Sen. Mark J. Grisanti on Friday announced legislation that would prohibit treatment of water from hydraulic fracturing at public facilities statewide, create a tracking program for the waste and enact other environmental safeguards.

Waco Oil & Gas Plans to Open Headquarters in Village
The Intelligencer
Waco Oil & Gas of Glenville, W.Va., announced it is setting up shop in Bellaire.

Range Resources traffic has left Springdale in the dust
PittsburghLive.com
Range Resources will donate $2,500 to the Springdale Volunteer Fire Department in exchange for firefighters’ help in controlling a dust problem created by truck traffic.

Armstrong Commissioners approve impact fees on gas wells
Leader-Times
The Armstrong County Commissioners on Thursday unanimously passed an ordinance imposing impact fees on Marcellus shale natural gas wells in the county.

Georgia man admits to dumping gas industry sludge
pressconnects.com
The Georgia man accused in December of dumping Marcellus Shale gas industry sludge near a gas well site pleaded guilty Thursday in Bradford County Court.

Moonbat Alert! Mike Papantonio Claims Fracking Kills ‘Thousands of Americans’
NewsBusters.org
Move over, Mike Malloy — you might not be the most unhinged man in media. Malloy’s competition for this dubious distinction comes from Mike Papantonio, co-host of the radio show "Ring of Fire" when he isn’t chasing ambulances to drive up billable hours or appearing on MSNBC.

Lebanon County passes gas-drilling fee
The Lebanon Daily News
Although the likelihood of a Marcellus Shale gas-drilling operation starting in the county any time soon is remote, the Lebanon County Commissioners on Thursday adopted an ordinance that will make sure the county receives a fee if it ever does occur.

Nonprofit wins victory over ExxonMobil
Colorado Springs Independent
ExxonMobil shareholders will get a crack at a resolution calling for the energy giant to report financial impact on shareholders of hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, thanks to an effort by As You Sow , a nonprofit that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy.

Mark Ruffalo: Fracking Is An ‘Illegitimate’ Practice
WNYC-AM New York
"I see it as part of my job. This isn’t a cause celebre for me. It’s my life." "Avengers" star Mark Ruffalo, a vocal anti-fracking advocate, called the process of extracting natural gas "illegitimate" and described his activism as a "sacrificial act."