Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel

Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crestwood Midstream | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | New York | Schuyler County

10 Antis Arrested for Blocking Crestwood Facility at Seneca Lake
November 12, 2014November 12, 2014

It’s sad to see a member of our highly esteemed and respected armed forces fall for the lies of those who hate fossil fuels. Apparently the nutty Sandra Steingraber, the so-called “distinguished scholar in residence” at Ithaca College (meaning the Park Foundation funds her inane headline-grabbing hippie protests while she does precisely nothing at Ithaca College and earns a big salary) has hoodwinked U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Colleen Boland (retired) into supporting her extreme views. The two women were part of a small group who showed up outside of a former salt mine along the shore of Seneca Lake (near Watkins Glen, NY), the site of a proposed underground storage facility for liquefied petroleum gas (or propane) to illegally block the entrance. They were arrested and removed. This isn’t the first time Steingraber has been arrested at the facility…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Butler County | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Rex Energy

Rex Drilling Operation Near Mars School Put on Hold
November 11, 2014November 11, 2014

Nearly two months ago Rex Energy received permits to drill five wells on a single well pad in Middlesex Township (Butler County), PA. The site is something like 3/4 of a mile from a school and some of the dunderheaded anti-drilling parents at the school are opposing it (see Rex Gets Permits to Drill Near Martian School, Antis Apoplectic). Those parents should take a short trip south to Allegheny County where the East Allegheny School District has just leased school property for drilling (see today’s lead story). Anywho, even though the Delaware River Basin is clear across the state and hundreds of miles from Middlesex Township, THE Delaware Riverkeeper along with another virulent anti-drilling group, Clean Air Council (also from the Philly area), have launched a challenge against Rex Energy to prevent them from drilling on the opposite side of the state. Talk about sickos…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Washington County

NEPA Anti-Driller Gets Permanent Injunction Against Trespassing
November 11, 2014November 11, 2014

Vera Scroggins, outside of NEPA a little-known anti-driller from Susquehanna County, PA with a potty mouth (see this video of Vera harassing filmmaker Phelim McAleer), has been permanently barred from stepping foot on property leased (or owned) by Cabot Oil & Gas. This has been a long-running court case/issue in northeast PA. Scroggins refuses to stop her so-called tours of Cabot well sites where she brings along fellow anti-drillers to point out…what? A drilling rig? A little, tiny well head sitting on an acre of land so small you can’t see it from 100 feet away? A truck lumbering up a road? She continually endangers herself and those she carts along on her trespassing adventures. Cabot had to sue to keep her off their land. Scroggins was slapped with a temporary injection last year (see NE PA Anti-Driller Slapped with Trespassing Injunction). The temporary injunction has just been made permanent by a Susquehanna County judge…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Regulation | Statewide NY

NY’s Anti-Drillers Fail to Make a Difference in Elections
November 10, 2014November 10, 2014

What can we divine by reading the tea leaves from the recent election outcome in New York State vis-à-vis the relative strength of the anti-drilling agenda in the Empire State? A casual reference to media reports gives one the impression that those opposed to drilling–particularly in the Southern Tier area of New York–are on the rise. Yet in head-to-head contests (at least in the Southern Tier) pro-drilling candidates have now beaten anti-drilling candidates over the span of two election cycles. We can’t find a single race of consequence (anything bigger than town board level) where a pro-drilling candidate lost! Does that portend good things for New York State and the future of drilling?…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lebanon County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Sunoco Logistics

New Target for Lebanon, PA Antis: Mariner East Pipeline
November 10, 2014November 10, 2014

Even when we’re joking–we’re often right! Case in point: A week and a half ago we noted that Sunoco Logistics had begun testing the Mariner East pipeline in Lebanon County, PA (see Mariner East NGL Pipeline Begins Tests in Lebanon, PA). Sunoco is repurposing the pipeline to flow natural gas liquids. In referencing the small but dedicated band of anti-drillers in the county who oppose the Williams Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project, we said at the time, “Wait til they wake up and realize a pipeline already in the ground (has been for decades) is about to be reactivated!” Indeed. Three residents from West Cornwall Township in Lebanon County have filed a zoning appeal against the county for issuing permits to Sunoco Logistics allowing a pump station in the township…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Lease & Royalty Payments | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp | Washington County

Washington County Votes to Establish “Ring of Fire” at Mingo Park
November 7, 2014November 7, 2014

Two days ago MDN told you that Range Resources is the winner of a contract to drill under (not on) Mingo Creek County Park in Nottingham Township in Washington County, PA (see Range Resources Wins Contract to Drill Under Mingo Creek Park). Precisely 2 (out of 207,820) Washington County residents turned up Thursday night to ask county commissioners to delay their impending vote to move forward with the lease. Certainly nothing out of the ordinary about that–except that the language used by those who oppose drilling (and fossil fuels) never ceases to surprise and amuse us. They intentionally attempt to conjure up images of environmental disaster and holocaust, even though there is no evidence to support their claims. For example, one of the two last night told commissioners by drilling under the park from land adjacent to the park it will create “a ring of fire” around the park. Of course, we immediately thought of Johnny Cash…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA | York County

Anti-Fracker Ejected from PA Gov-Elect Wolf Victory Celebration
November 6, 2014November 6, 2014

That was fast. We find it amusing that Governor-elect Tom Wolf’s hometown newspaper, the York Daily Record (YDR), is already lowering expectations for their favorite son and what he’ll be able to accomplish as a Democrat governor in a state with an even larger majority of Republicans in the House and Senate than it had under current Republican Gov. Tom Corbett. The YDR says Wolf may not walk on water after all (although they’re not sure, he may), and that those nasty Republicans may, well, not just roll over and play dead like they’re s’posed to. Not only does Wolf have to fend off the nasty Republicans, he has a hard time keeping his own “supporters” somewhere in the realm of planet Earth. During Wolf’s victory celebration Tuesday night in York, when he mentioned shale drilling, some of the rabidly wacko anti-drillers in the audience went into hysterics–one of whom was physically removed from the premises…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Athens County | Cuyahoga County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Mahoning County | Ohio | Portage County | Regulation

3 of 4 Frack Ban Ballot Measures in Ohio Fail – Athens Exception
November 6, 2014November 6, 2014

What about those idiotic “ban fracking” ballot measures up for a vote on Tuesday in Ohio’s Utica Shale? The ballot measure in Youngstown, OH was the fourth such vote for that city (see Fourth Time the Charm for Youngstown Frack Ban Measure?). The Youngstown ballot measure went down in flames. There was a ban measure in Gates Mills, OH, a suburb near Cleveland (see Gates Mills, OH Caves – Anti-Frack Measure on Nov. Ballot). The Gates Mills ballot measure went down in flames too. Finally, there was a ballot measure in ultra-liberal Kent, OH. That ballot measure was voted down (miracles never cease!). Three strikes and yer out. But what’s this? The loonies in Athens, OH prevailed in snookering enough Democrat voters to support a ban that it actually passed in Athens. A year ago we asked the question, Will Utica Shale Drilling Come to Athens County, OH Soon?. We can now answer that question: NO. No drilling will come to Athens–at least to the city (and likely the rest of the area) now that the voters of Athens have thumbed their nose at the industry. There’s plenty of other locations outside of Athens in which to drill…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA | Taxation

Dela. Riverkeeper Hopes New PA Gov Will Stop Marcellus Drilling
November 5, 2014November 5, 2014

StateImpact Pennsylvania, an online publication populated with lefty advocates who call themselves “reporters” from Pennsylvania’s PBS stations, interviewed a variety of people from both industry and those opposed to drilling in compiling a story on what Tom Wolf’s win as the new Democrat governor of PA will mean for the drilling industry. Of particular interest to MDN are the (many) words in the article attributed to THE Delaware Riverkeeper, the arrogant Maya van Rossum. Among her (many) words is her desire/hope that Wolf will implement a moratorium on all new Marcellus Shale drilling in the state…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Delaware Riverkeeper Sues to Stop Fracking Under PA State Land
October 31, 2014October 31, 2014

The litigious (and arrogant) Maya van Rossum, aka THE Delaware Riverkeeper, is hoping that lightening, in the form of a lawsuit, will strike twice. The Delaware Riverkeeper was party to the tragedy that overturned a large portion of the 2012 Act 13 drilling law (see PA Supreme Court Rules Against State/Drillers in Act 13 Case). The decision made by the PA Supreme Court was a bad one, based on brand new so-called environmental rights that didn’t previously exist. It was also based on the false premise that oil and shale drilling are inherently harmful to the environment (see Industry Vet Points Out Error in PA Supreme Court Act 13 Ruling). We have more than 60 years of active drilling/evidence that says the practice is safe. But we digress. PA Gov. Tom Corbett plans to expand a program already underway in the state to allow a teeny tiny bit more drilling under PA’s state forests. Ms. Rossum is determined to stop it…
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Air Quality | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Research

New Faux “Research” on Air Emissions Near Frack Sites
October 31, 2014October 31, 2014

We think there needs to be more scientific/objective studies done on air quality and emissions near drilling sites and compressor stations–you get no argument from us on that score. We suspect there are some problems and issues with air emissions from shale drilling and compressor stations–but we’d like some hard evidence to prove or disprove that suspicion. Yesterday a new study was published in the online journal Environmental Health. The new study, titled “Air concentrations of volatile compounds near oil and gas production: a community-based exploratory study” (full copy embedded below) concludes: “Air concentrations of potentially dangerous compounds and chemical mixtures are frequently present near oil and gas production sites.” The big red flag is that the study is based on “data” collected by anti-drilling “volunteers” who have skin in the game. The data was not collected by impartial, objective scientists. The authors of the “study” are themselves rabid anti-drillers. This is the latest in a long line of “research studies” that is scientific GIGO: garbage in, garbage out…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Health Impacts | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Regulation | Statewide NY

Cuomo Staff Explains “End of Year” Deadline for Frack Report
October 30, 2014October 30, 2014

In the recent (and only) gubernatorial debate held in New York State, the man-child Andrew Cuomo, someone who can’t make a decision, when questioned/pressured about the issue of the now six-year moratorium on fracking, gave (yet another) new deadline for when he’ll make a decision. Cuomo said that the report due from the state Dept. of Health, originally due in February of 2013, but delayed from unknown reasons, will be ready by “the end of this year.” If we had a nickel for every time Cuomo has lied about the DOH report and about when a decision on fracking would be made, we’d be millionaires. A few days after the debate Cuomo’s staff had to clean up Andy’s poopy mess and say that the end of the year isn’t the man-child’s deadline–oh no–that deadline is what the DOH itself has privately told the man-child. In other words, more political CYA just in case the report doesn’t materialize by “end of year”…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Landfills | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA | Wastewater

PA Dem Congressman Demands Info from DEP on Frack Waste
October 30, 2014October 30, 2014

An anti-drilling Pennsylvania Democrat Congressman, Matt Cartwright, believes Washington, DC and not the individual states should be the ones regulating shale oil and gas drilling. So Cartwright, under the pretense of seeking information, has sent a letter to the acting Secretary of the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) seeking information on how the state oversees frack waste disposal (wastewater and drill cuttings). Cartwright is the just the latest PA Democrat to bash away at the single industry keeping the PA economy out of the economic crapper. Cartwright, in his letter, refers to the flawed “report” from another high profile PA Dem who is critical of the industry, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (see Anti-Drilling PA Auditor General Criticizes DEP in “Report”)…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Pipelines | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

MDN is Outraged at Massachusetts Anti-Pipeline Outrage
October 29, 2014October 29, 2014

We’re outraged at the outrage of hypocritical anti-drillers. An article from Massachusetts begins this way: “Gas pipeline opponents throughout the state of Massachusetts are outraged about a new pipeline support coalition that has formed because the group not only has ties to the company trying to put the pipeline in place, but is also putting big businesses before residential concerns.” That set us off! Here’s what we’re outraged about…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA | UIL Holdings

Philly City Council Kills the Phila. Gas Works $1.86B Deal
October 28, 2014October 28, 2014

There’s a reason Philadelphia has the reputation of being one of the most corrupt cities in America–because it is. We have proof. Back in March of this year, after a long, hard process, the Democrat Mayor of Philly, Michael Nutter, announced a deal to sell the municipally-owned (and bleeding money) Philadelphia Gas Works to UIL Holdings Corporation, a Connecticut-based investor-owned gas and electric utility holding company (see Phila. Gas Works Deal for $1.86B – Marcellus/Utica One of Keys). The deal would have injected $424 million into the city’s failing pension fund. It was a win/win all the way around. What did the corrupt City Council do? Diddle around, giving special interests time to mount opposition (see Philly City Council Continues to Diddle Around on PGW Sale). Yesterday the corrupt City Council announced they were killing the deal Nutter, one of their own, worked so hard to negotiate…
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Allegheny County | Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Baker Hughes | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania

Anti-Drillers Protest Steelers Game Over Breast Cancer Donation
October 27, 2014October 27, 2014

How small and mean, and frankly stupid, can anti-drillers get? Pretty small and mean and stupid. On Sunday, a handful of anti-drillers protested outside of Heinz Field where the Pittsburgh Steelers were set to play the Indianapolis Colts–there to protest oilfield services company Baker Hughes handing over a check for $100,000 at half-time to the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer research (the world’s foremost such organization). We wrote about these nutters previously (see Liberal Group Calls Baker Hughes Breast Cancer Effort “Pink Sh*t”). There is no connection between shale drilling and breast cancer, but let’s not let facts get in the way of a good protest, right?…
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