Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Thursday, Sep 29, 2011

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

How fracking works: fears are based on ignorance
The people trying to keep “fracking” illegal in New York rely on our ignorance about the safety and environmental impact of this drilling technology. So I went over the border to Pennsylvania for a hands-on education on the subject.

Placing Bets on the Utica Shale
It’s official: Eastern Ohio is the place to be. Forget the Marcellus: Natural-gas producers have decided the Utica Shale is The Next Big Thing.

PT referendum awaits ruling
Washington County Judge Paul Pozonsky said he will decide by the end of next week if a referendum on banning gas drilling in Peters Township will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 8 election.

EPA has hearing on drilling, fracking regulations
Environmentalists and advocates for drilling companies were expected to face off Thursday when the Environmental Protection Agency holds a public hearing in Arlington on its proposed rules aimed at limiting pollution at oil and gas wells.

Doctor Wants Study of Drilling’s Impact
The impact of hydraulic fracturing on the public’s health still needs to be studied, said Dr. Alan Ducatman. Ducatman, West Virginia University School of Public Health dean, made the point during a program held Tuesday at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling.

3rd party joins lawsuit
A third party has jumped into the lawsuit filed by the City of Warren (PA) against the Warren County Board of Elections on amending the city’s charter to ban the treatment of fracking wastewater.

Yeager Airport may get $70K annually in gas deal
Yeager Airport is expected to receive royalties of about $50,000 annually, plus free natural gas worth $20,000 at today’s prices, through a lease agreement approved Wednesday by the airport’s governing board.

‘Green’ Completions Reduce Gas Industry Emissions
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeks comment on regulations that would cut a variety of oil and gas industry air emissions, some producers already use "green" practices that reduce their greenhouse gas, or GHG, emissions and improve their bottom lines.

Supervisors hear from residents, gas sources at Newton Twp. forum
The township held a standing room only public hearing for residents Sept. 19 at the Newton Township (PA) Municipal Building. Residents and experts were given an allotted time to speak . George Turner, a licensed geologist was first up and talked about ground water.