Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Monday, Oct 10, 2011

A daily list of stories about Marcellus and Utica Shale drilling and related issues.

Question remains on Marcellus Shale gas rights near Pittsburgh airport
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Allegheny County Councilwoman Jan Rea and several of her colleagues want to know who owns — and would benefit from — possible Marcellus Shale gas deposits under Pittsburgh International Airport.

More drilling permits for county sought
Lisbon Morning Journal News
The number of permits to drill for natural gas in shale formations is picking up speed in Columbiana County, Ohio. At least six horizontal drilling permits have been issued locally, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the county engineer’s office, which is notified by the ODNR of new well permits because of the potential impact on roads.

‘October Outrage’ Rally Protests Marcellus Shale Drilling at Marburger Dairy Farm
SewickleyPatch
When drilling in the Marcellus Shale began at the Marburger Dairy Farm in Evans City during the summer, Vince Watson said he had a daily dose of noise and light – and sometimes vibrations – from the drilling.

Fracking debate divides a county that’s struggling hard to survive
Middletown Times Herald-Record
In Sullivan County, NY, where one-third of all children are victims of poverty, gas drilling means desperately needed jobs, say its supporters.

Seneca North: Pure Waters group takes on drilling
Elmira Star-Gazette
In a letter to more than 40 officials representing Seneca Lake watershed communities, the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association is calling upon them to stand firm in opposition to Marcellus Shale drilling for natural gas and the stockpiling of 88 million gallons of liquefied natural gas in salt caverns at the southern end of Seneca Lake.

DRBC postpones vote on gas drilling rules
The Scranton Times Tribune
The Delaware River Basin Commission has postponed a vote on its proposed natural gas drilling regulations from Oct. 21 until Nov. 21, the agency announced Friday.

Natural Gas from Hydrofracking in Marcellus Shale May result in High levels of Radon Gas and Lead in Homes
Oneida County Courier
James W. Ring, Winslow Professor of Physics Emeritus at Hamilton College asserts that household use of natural gas obtained from hydrofracking in the Marcellus Shale can cause exposure to unacceptably high levels of Radon Gas and Lead.

Dominion project to bring county boost
Maryland Independent
Dominion announced this week that it has filed the second phase of its two-part application to export liquefied natural gas from its Cove Point LNG facility, and also released some early estimates for the economic boost the project will bring to Calvert County.

Norse Energy forced to cut 25 jobs over delay in new – fracking’ rules
The Buffalo News
Norse Energy Corp., a Norwegian company that is waiting for regulatory clearance to start drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in New York, has cut its staff by more than half at its offices in Hamburg and Norwich, as it tries to ride out a severe cash crunch.

Empty Tanks: Treatment company exec says business in jeopardy
Warren, PA Times Observer
The 250,000-gallon storage tanks at Waste Treatment Corporation on Harmar Street in Warren have sat empty since May, a constant reminder of the State Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to ask the company and similar facilities across the state to stop processing Marcellus Shale waste fluid.

Many In Potter County Can Qualify For Free Water Well Testing
CoudyNews.com
Property owners in Potter County who have private wells may be able to qualify for free water quality analysis. Tests for those property owners whose income does not exceed limits will be provided through a $150,000 Colcom Foundation grant.

El Paso to expand TGP gas line in Pennsylvania
Reuters
El Paso Corp on Friday said its wholly owned Tennessee Gas Pipeline subsidiary had executed long-term agreements for the MPP natural gas pipeline project, designed to bring supply from the prolific Marcellus Shale to existing delivery points on its pipeline system.

East Deer, PA seismic testing ordinance to be considered
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The township commissioners on Tuesday night will be considering an ordinance on dealing with seismic testing related to Marcellus shale drilling.

Armstrong, PA officials approve second Marcellus shale water extraction point
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
County officials approved a second water extraction point as part of an agreement with EXCO Resources for the Texas-based Marcellus shale deep-well drilling company’s operation in the county.

Grads prepare for oil and gas jobs
Newark Adocate (OH)
Jobs with a starting pay of $60,000 to $70,000 have been hard to come by these days, but they are getting closer to this area with the drilling into the Marcellus Shale in western Pennsylvania and Utica Shale in eastern Ohio.

Martens defends hydrofracking report before skeptical Assembly committee
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Before a skeptical panel of state lawmakers, New York’s top environmental regulator defended his agency’s proposed rules for hydraulic fracturing for nearly three hours Thursday while he was peppered with a near-constant stream of questions and criticism.