Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel

Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide PA

Chutzpah: Dela. Riverkeeper Takes Credit for Pushing DRBC Around
March 19, 2015March 19, 2015

As part of a story about THE Delaware Riverkeeper’s frivolous lawsuits to stop both the Leidy Southeast pipeline project and the PennEast pipeline project, an article quotes Maya van Rossum, head of Delaware Riverkeeper, claiming that SHE is the reason the Delaware River Basin Commission now puts all pipeline projects under a microscope. That’s real chutzpah. The DRBC quickly denounced van Rossum’s bunkum and said their standards for evaluating pipeline projects haven’t changed…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Randolph County | Statewide WV | West Virginia

The Incoherence of WV’s Anti-Pipeline “Movement”
March 19, 2015March 19, 2015

There are perhaps a dozen or less people in West Virginia who show up at meetings to protest against several much-needed pipeline projects in the state. One of them, Lauren Ragland, is a little known protester who started a group called West Virginia Wilderness Lovers, which seems to have changed names recently to WV MATTERS. Ragland sometimes appears at meetings toting around a hula hoop (see Hula Hoops & Tall Tales from WV Anti-Drillers Opposed to Pipeline). The membership of her group has magically grown to “95,000 members” according to the latest communication. Yeah, right. Anywho, Lauren, for whatever reason, includes MDN on her press release distribution list. The latest release is included below with no changes. If someone can please tell us what it’s about, we’d appreciate a heads up. From what we can tell, it’s absolutely incoherent, as is much of the anti-drilling movement…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Investigation: Delaware Riverkeeper Violates Non-Profit Charter
March 18, 2015March 18, 2015

Two days ago MDN brought you the story that two Philadelphia-area so-called non-profit organizations–THE Delaware Riverkeeper and the Clean Air Council–are not only interfering in a town on the opposite side of the state, they’ve caused the residents of that town to pay (so far) over $35,000 in legal fees (see Dela. RiverKeeper, Clean Air Council Cost Middlesex Residents $35K+). Our good friend Tom Shepstone from the always-excellent Natural Gas Now website did some digging and has found Delaware Riverkeeper is violating the terms of their non-profit charter by doing what they’re doing in Middlesex–something the IRS should investigate post haste…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Cuyahoga County | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Ohio | Regulation | Statewide OH

OH Antis Handed Crushing Defeat in Broadview Hghts Home Rule Case
March 18, 2015March 18, 2015

We’ve commented before on the lawless tendencies of anti-drillers, particularly in Ohio where, when they lose a court case, they declare the government is illegitimate (see OH Anti-Drillers on Rampage after Supreme Court Home Rule Decision). It hasn’t been a full month since the Ohio Supreme Court ruling and now a second, crushing defeat for anti-fossil fuelers. Last week a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge struck down the Cleveland suburb of Broadview Heights’ so-called community bill of rights that bans all, including shale drilling. Once again, as with the Supreme Court “Munroe Falls” case, we see what sore losers anti-drillers are. If a court case like Broadview Heights doesn’t go their way, they immediately start talking about anarchy–that the government has “ceased to be legitimate.” These are not only stupid people, they’re dangerous too…
Read More “OH Antis Handed Crushing Defeat in Broadview Hghts Home Rule Case”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation

Marcellus Pipeline Likely Coming to S Jersey, Confirmation Vote
March 18, 2015March 18, 2015

Since early 2014, MDN has chronicled the almost impossible task that utility company South Jersey Gas set before themselves–running a very short 22 miles of pipeline to an electric generating plant that has been ordered to switch from burning dirty coal to burning clean Marcellus Shale gas (see Sierra Club, LWV Chooses Coal over NatGas in South Jersey). It’s an almost impossible task because the pipeline would need to run through 10 miles of scrub pine trees that some in the region believe are sacred. In particular, the NJ Sierra Club and the League of [Liberal Democrat] Women Voters are opposed to the plan and pressured the Pinelands Commission, the state regulatory body that oversees the area, to not approve the plan. NJ Gov. Christie then booted two of the members of the Pinelands Commission last May and nominated two new members, bringing us a step closer to achieving the impossible (see Marcellus Pipeline May Come to South Jersey After All). It’s taken almost a year, but the NJ Senate has just confirmed the second of those two new members, which most people read to mean that the Pinelands Commission will now vote to approve the South Jersey Gas pipeline…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Commodity Price | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

OPEC Says American Shale Boom Over by End of 2015
March 18, 2015March 18, 2015

It seems that our enemies–countries that belong to OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) are gloating they believe their strategy of allowing the price of oil to collapse is “working” and that they are driving shale drillers in the U.S. out of business. OPEC is predicting the shale boom will be “over by the end of 2015,” after previously predicting the same thing by the end of 2018. Excuse us while we pick ourselves up off the floor after laughing so hard! Will these people never stop underestimating American ingenuity and resilience? Will they always misunderstand and pooh-pooh American exceptionalism–that we are the exception to the rule, virtually the only country in history where liberty and acknowledgment of God-given rights for individuals allows those individuals freedom to pursue their dreams, creating a country free of government tyranny and unleashing creativity and passion so intense it results in achievements in this country that surpass those of all other countries combined? Fortunately for us, it seems the members of OPEC are obtuse and fail to grasp the true nature of the shale boom–how it got started, and why it will continue long after we’re all dead and gone…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Pike County | Regulation | Statewide PA | Wayne County

PA Gov Tom Wolf Supports DRBC Moratorium on Marcellus Drilling
March 17, 2015March 17, 2015

As we’ve stated a number of times, newly-elected PA Gov. Tom Wolf is a major disappointment–a man out of his depth in attempting to run an entire state. Now comes word that Wolf supports the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC) anti-drilling policies that prevent drilling in his own state. We previously told you Wolf had employed the former anti-drilling head of the DRBC as a member of his transition team (see PA Gov-Elect Wolf Transition Team Includes DRBC’s Carol Collier). Two weeks ago, Wolf proposed increasing the DRBC’s budget by 73%, while states like New York and New Jersey continue to refuse paying their fair share (see PA Gov Wolf Increases DRBC Funding by 73% to 3/4 Million Bucks). Now he adds insult to injury by saying he supports the drilling ban in Wayne and Pike counties in his own state…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Luzerne County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide PA | Transco | Williams

Dela. Riverkeeper Halts Transco Pipeline Upgrade with Lawsuit
March 16, 2015March 16, 2015

Someone needs to sue THE Delaware Riverkeeper (Maya van Rossum) the way that organization is suing legitimate and legal companies to block legitimate and legal activity in the Marcellus Shale. Delaware Riverkeeper apparently has endless bags of money, made available to them by the Park Foundation, Heinz Endowments and other anti-drilling “non-profit” groups, to file endless frivolous lawsuits. The latest is particularly insidious. Williams has just received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a few loops–extra lengths of pipeline immediately next to existing pipeline–for the Transco Pipeline in northeast PA and in NJ (see FERC Approves Williams Leidy Southeast Project in PA/NJ). Part of the requirement by FERC is that Williams cannot cut down trees between April and October–a full seven months–to avoid “harming” the endangered Indiana bat that may (or may not) roost in those trees…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Butler County | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Rex Energy

Dela. RiverKeeper, Clean Air Council Cost Middlesex Residents $35K+
March 16, 2015March 16, 2015

THE Delaware Riverkeeper (Maya van Rossum) and the Clean Air Council, both located in the orbit of Philadelphia, have gone all the way to the opposite side of the state to meddle and cause mischief (see Martian Chronicles: Delaware River Basin Shifts to Western PA?). They’ve not only delayed legal and legitimate Marcellus drilling on the other side of the state, now they’ve cost the taxpayers in Middlesex Township (Butler County), PA over $35,000 in legal fees–and the costs keep mounting. Thank you Delaware Riverkeeper and Clean Air Council with your frivolous meddling! Those groups, in league with “four residents” are challenging the right of Middlesex to allow Rex Energy to drill several Marcellus Shale wells on a pad in a rural area that’s 3/4 of a mile away from the Mars School (see Rex Drilling Operation Near Mars School Put on Hold). Their meddling is costing real money–not only for Rex Energy, but also for the taxpayers of Middlesex who are nothing more than collateral damage for Riverkeeper and the Clean Air Council in their war on fossil fuels…
Read More “Dela. RiverKeeper, Clean Air Council Cost Middlesex Residents $35K+”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide OH

NE Wackos on a Rampage: Demand FERC Stop Approving Pipelines
March 11, 2015March 11, 2015

Here’s what passes for thinking in anti-drilling land: Fossil fuels, when burned, release carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon is bad (at least it is for anti-drillers), although you and all other animals breathe carbon out with every breath and plants breathe it in–it’s a requirement for all of life to exist. Still, play along, k? Because natural gas is a fossil fuel, it’s evil. By burning it you pollute Mother Earth and will cause Her to bake with mythical global warming (although we almost froze to death this winter in the northeast). So fracking is the ultimate rape of Mother Earth, as stated by none other than that towering intellect Yoko Ono when singing the song “Don’t Frack My Mother” (see Yoko Ono and Son Sean Lennon Go on Anti-Fracking Tirade). Fracked shale wells require pipelines. If you can stop pipelines, you can stop fracking. Who approves the big pipelines? The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). So who’s the latest target of anti-drilling wackos? You got it–FERC…
Read More “NE Wackos on a Rampage: Demand FERC Stop Approving Pipelines”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Research

UCS “Report” Says Using Natural Gas for Electric Generation Big Gamble
March 11, 2015March 11, 2015

The Union of So-Called Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently issued a new report that says switching to natural gas use, especially for electric generation, is one big gamble and we’re being lured down the primrose path to destruction. According to the “scientists” at UCS, it’s far better to turn the thermostat down to 50 degrees in the winter (called “energy efficiency”) and ride to work via horse and buggy (called “switching to renewables”) than risk using that foul, evil, nasty fossil fuel natgas (natgas, natgas, natgas–echo for evil-sounding effect). One might put more stock in such a report if it were actually authored by scientists–people with degrees in the hard sciences. Instead, its primary author is someone with a political science degree…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania

Gas-Powered Electric Plant to be Built “on Thousands of People”
March 10, 2015May 4, 2015

Since 2013 we’ve been tracking the story that Invenergy, a company that builds and operates clean energy electric generating plants like those powered by natural gas, plans to build such a plant near Scranton, PA (see Marcellus Gas to Power Combined-Cycle Electricity Plant in NE PA). In October 2014, Invenergy purchased the 80-acre parcel in Jessup where they plan to build the plant (see Invenergy Buys Land in NEPA for Natgas Electric Generating Plant). In January of this year, the first in what will be a string of public hearings was held in Jessup (see Public Hearing on NEPA Proposed Marcellus-Powered Electric Plant). There was understandable concern from some area residents about air quality and other issues. Now that the plant is getting much closer to reality, it’s time for the anti-drillers to come out–and right on cue, they have. One of them is quoted as saying the plant will “be built on thousands of people. Literally thousands of people.” Wait. Did we miss something? Is this plant being built on top of cemetery? Is Invenergy planning on killing thousands and throwing the bodies in a trench so they can construct a plant on top of them?…
Read More “Gas-Powered Electric Plant to be Built “on Thousands of People””
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation

FERC Chair to Pipeline Protesters: It’s About Climate Change (Stupid)
March 9, 2015March 9, 2015

By Andy Leahy

A new narrative is freshening for environmental reporters in mainstream and regional media: After suffering recent losses in extensively waged fights against new natural gas pipelines, notably in the blue-shifted northeastern U.S., opponents of fossil fuels are growing increasingly frustrated with the usually obscure decision-making process overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC. Previously lost in the scrum: Comments by FERC Chair Cheryl LaFleur from Jan. 27, 2015–appearing before the National Press Club, no less–in which she essentially challenged activists concerned about climate change on the value of natural gas within the bigger equation. And she explained why “unprecedented” protest from activists is failing to deter FERC from approving necessary construction…
Read More “FERC Chair to Pipeline Protesters: It’s About Climate Change (Stupid)”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

CBS Philly Manufactures False Story about Marcellus Freight Trains
March 5, 2015March 5, 2015

Is it a case of yellow journalism? Anti-drilling conspiracy? Or is it the case of an ignorant editor at a major Philadelphia news outlet? Take your pick. We’re referring to the headline and accompanying picture (see below) that are 100% false. The headline says, “Local Environmental Groups Warn of Accident Potential From Marcellus Shale Freight Trains” and shows a picture of a train derailment from three years ago that has nothing to do with shale oil. That’s called manufactured news folks. It’s also called a lie. And it appears boldly on the website of Philadelphia’s CBS News affiliate (channeling the lying Dan Rather are we?). The article refers to a new propaganda piece issued by Penn Environment and Frac Tracker Alliance–both strongly anti-drilling organizations. The “report” issued is a “boy who cried wolf” missive that warns PA residents of oil trains passing through the state, coming from the North Dakota Bakken Shale, with scary stories of exploding trains because of shale oil. And therein is the egregious lie–not only is the picture false (nothing to do with Bakken oil or oil of any kind), the headline is false–THERE ARE NO MARCELLUS OIL TRAINS. Any oil or condensate or natural gas liquids in the Marcellus region are transported by pipelines–not rail cars…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA

PA Gov Wolf Increases DRBC Funding by 73% to 3/4 Million Bucks
March 5, 2015March 5, 2015

On Tuesday, PA Gov. Tom Wolf delivered the most expensive budget in PA history, a budget that plans to steal money from landowners and drillers and give it away to Big Education (see Post-Gazette: Wolf Budget with Severance Tax “a Miss…Utter Folly”). Not only does Tom Wolf want to “restore funding” for Big Education, he also, disappointingly, intends to restore funding for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) so it can continue its anti-drilling ways. Wolf wants to lavish the DRBC with 3/4 of a million dollars, which is a 73% increase over last year’s funding under then-Gov. Tom Corbett. The problem with funding the DRBC is that PA taxpayers are footing most of the bill because other member states, including NY, NJ and the federal government, are short-changing the DRBC–not paying what they owe. Delaware is the lone member that pays what it’s supposed to (which is much less than PA). So PA taxpayers are in the unenviable position of propping up an organization that acts against their interests…
Read More “PA Gov Wolf Increases DRBC Funding by 73% to 3/4 Million Bucks”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Landfills | Litigation | Ohio | Regulation | Statewide OH | Wastewater

Anti Groups Sue ODNR to Stop All Frack Waste Disposal in State
March 5, 2015March 5, 2015

With seeming endless supplies of money to file frivolous lawsuits, the virulently anti-drilling and misnamed Food & Water Watch (FWW) along with the so-called FreshWater Accountability Project (FWAP) have, yes, filed yet another lawsuit. Surprise! This time to the two organizations are suing the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) in a case that, if successful, would prevent the ODNR from issuing permits to allow the safe disposal of frack wastewater and drill cuttings. That is, drillers in Ohio (and Pennsylvania, which sends a lot of waste to Ohio for disposal), would have no place to safely dispose fracking wastes, which would (you guessed it) shut down drilling in the Utica and Marcellus…
Read More “Anti Groups Sue ODNR to Stop All Frack Waste Disposal in State”