Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Thu, Apr 5, 2012

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

Fracking comes to Illinois, for better or worse
Crain’s Chicago Business
The state, which has sat on the sidelines as new technologies using high-pressure fracturing techniques to extract natural gas have launched energy booms in long-dormant states, could see a boomlet of its own in coming months.

Marcellus shale drilling fuels surge in energy
Centre Daily Times
Rick Hollinger summed up increased interest in natural gas by relating it to the ramped up Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania over the past five years or so.

Judge Grants Request for Expedited Hearing in Act 13 Challenge
Patch.com
A Commonwealth Court judge on Wednesday granted a request for an expedited hearing on a challenge to Act 13-the state’s new Marcellus Shale law.

Monroe County commissioners vote 2-1 in favor of gas drilling impact fees
Pocono Record
The state Marcellus Shale impact fee is a pittance compared to other states, said Monroe County Commissioner Suzanne McCool, who cast the only vote Wednesday against sharing up to $25,000 per year in natural gas extraction proceeds for county operations.

County on Verge of Enacting Impact Fee
WNEP-TV Moosic
Thursday, commissioners in Lycoming County plan to approve an impact fee that would mean millions of dollars for the county.