Pennsylvania

Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lancaster County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Williams

5 Old Hippies Arrested for Blocking Pipeline in Lancaster County
March 12, 2018March 12, 2018

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from the so-called “more than 1,000” protesters willing to get themselves arrested in Lancaster County in their holy mission to stop the Williams Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. As of last November, the unofficial tally we could determine is that 45 people who belong to Lancaster Against Pipelines (LAP) have gotten themselves arrested for illegal actions in attempting to stop the pipeline (see 5 More Protesters Arrested in Lancaster Co. Blocking Pipeline Work). LAP is a small but committed group. It’s hard to stick to your so-called principles when there’s a foot of snow on the ground–so all winter long there hasn’t been much in the way of protests. But spring is beginning to break in Amish country. On Saturday, a busload of around 50 protesters visited Williams’ Lancaster County headquarters in an attempt to terrorize the workers by entering the building, walking the halls singing and plastering “Do Not Cross” police tape on the doors (and leaving behind a fake pipeline). The protesters then visited a construction site where five of the nuttier nutjobs, ranging in age from 55-72 (most of them from Philly), climbed onto a piece of equipment and refused to come down, delaying construction by three hours, forcing state troopers to arrest them…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Chester County | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Sunoco Logistics

Grumpy Antis Protest at ME2 Sinkhole Site – Jeer Sunoco Workers
March 12, 2018March 12, 2018

A third sinkhole related to Mariner East 2 pipeline work and the uncovering (and subsequent shutdown) of the Mariner East 1 pipeline has some folks in Chester County, PA stirred up and rather grumpy (see PA PUC Shuts Down Mariner 1 Pipeline Due to Mariner 2 Sinkhole). A group of some 150 anti-pipeline protesters (perhaps a better word is “mob”) gathered Saturday in Chester County near the sinkhole sites, carry signs and chanting. Did they demand that the DEP and Gov. Wolf force Sunoco Logistics Partners, the builder of ME2, to find a different route around a geography known for sinkholes for decades? Or force Sunoco to slow down in an attempt to prevent any more sinkholes? Or demand Sunoco come to the table to talk about how they will prevent any more issues in the area–and compensate properties near the sinkhole? No. Their demand of Wolf: Shut it down, now. And keep it shut down. Cancel the entire multi-billion dollar ME2 project that is 93% complete. In other words, their demand is unreasonable, not realistic, not the way adults behave when they have disagreements and concerns…
Read More “Grumpy Antis Protest at ME2 Sinkhole Site – Jeer Sunoco Workers”
Allegheny County | Beaver County | Energy Companies | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Shell | Washington County

PA DEP Schedules 3 Hearings for Shell Ethane Pipeline
March 12, 2018March 12, 2018

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In February, MDN told you the Pennsylvania State Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) had caved to pressure from anti-fossil fuelers with regard to Shell’s proposed Falcon Ethane Pipeline project (see PA DEP Caves to Pressure, Extends Comment Period for Shell Pipeline). Shell is working on an ethane “pipeline system” with two “legs” to feed the mighty cracker plant being built in Monaca, Beaver County (see Shell Working on 94-Mile Ethane Pipeline to Feed PA Cracker). The DEP advertised an official comment period for the project on Jan. 20, giving interested parties until Feb. 20 to file their comments–an entire month. However, one month isn’t enough time for anti-drillers to marshal the faithful to try and sink the project. FracTracker Alliance, an anti-fossil fuel organization, colluded with other groups to put the word out to flood the DEP with demands to keep the comment period open. The DEP caved and extended the comment period to April 17th along with three public hearings (circus freak shows), to give the FracTracker faithful time to mount publicity and legal offensives to try and stop the project. The DEP has just announced the dates and locations for the three public hearings…
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Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

PA Marcellus Production Shifting from NE to SW PA
March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

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Every now and again it’s good to step back and look at the macro shale trends in a given state. Pennsylvania is the largest shale gas producing state in the country (yes, even bigger than Texas), so it’s good to take stock of what’s happening in PA. The Pittsburgh Business Times has done some excellent analysis of gas production in PA. Their analysis shows that regionally, production of shale gas in PA over the past four years (2014-2017) has gone up in both regions. However, it’s gone up more/faster in southwestern PA than in northeastern PA. Why? More pipeline infrastructure is available or has come online in southwestern PA over that period, while northeastern PA remains pipeline starved…
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CNX Resources | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | NGLs | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Range Resources Corp | Regulation | Statewide PA

Range, CNX Look for Alternatives to ME1 Pipe Following Shutdown
March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

MDN reported yesterday that due to underground horizontal direction drilling (HDD) in Chester County, PA (near Philadelphia) for the Mariner East 2 (ME2) Pipeline project, a third sinkhole had developed (see PA PUC Shuts Down Mariner 1 Pipeline Due to Mariner 2 Sinkhole). ME2 is being built close to the existing Mariner East 1 (ME1) pipeline. The sinkhole exposed a portion of the ME1 pipeline to the open air. Not a good situation, which is why the state Public Utility Commission has temporarily shut down the propane and ethane flowing through ME1. The shutdown is for 10-14 days. Problem is, both Range Resources and CNX Gas pump propane and ethane through ME1. With the shutdown, both companies are “scrambling” to find alternative means to get their NGLs to market…
Read More “Range, CNX Look for Alternatives to ME1 Pipe Following Shutdown”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania

More on Yellow Smoke Coming from Gas-Fired Plant Near Scranton
March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

We spoke too soon. In a story MDN published yesterday, we said that Big Green propagandist mouthpiece PBS StateImpact Pennsylvania was the only “news” outlet reporting on “yellow smoke” released as part of the commissioning process for the Lackawanna Energy Center, a Marcellus gas-fired electric plant being built near Scranton (see Gas-Fired Power Plant Near Scranton Nears Startup; Yellow Smoke). We said yesterday that not even the Democrat-controlled Scranton Times-Tribune found the “yellow smoke” report newsworthy. A day later, the Times-Tribune was shamed into releasing a story about it. Once again, the only people quoted as experiencing ill health effects following the “yellow smoke” are long-time local activists, people who oppose the project…
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Accidents | Chester County | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Sunoco Logistics

PA PUC Shuts Down Mariner 1 Pipeline Due to Mariner 2 Sinkhole
March 8, 2018March 8, 2018

3rd sinkhole opens up in Chester County, PA

Sunoco Logistics Partners (aka Energy Transfer Parnters) has had its challenges in constructing the twin Mariner East 2 (ME2) pipelines across Pennsylvania. Earlier this week MDN told you that underground horizontal directional drilling (HDD) work in Chester County has led to a third sinkhole developing in the area (see 3rd Sinkhole Appears Near ME2 Construction in Chester County, PA). For most of its length, ME2 is being built right next to ME1 (Mariner East 1), a liquids pipeline originally built in 1931. ME1 now flows 70,000 barrels a day of NGLs like propane to Marcus Hook, PA. The third sinkhole has exposed a portion of ME1. That is, bare steel pipeline was uncovered due to the sinkhole. Not good. That situation led to the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) slapping ME1 with an emergency shut down order yesterday…
Read More “PA PUC Shuts Down Mariner 1 Pipeline Due to Mariner 2 Sinkhole”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania

Gas-Fired Power Plant Near Scranton Nears Startup; Yellow Smoke
March 8, 2018March 8, 2018

Invenergy is currently building the Lackawanna Energy Center, a 1,480 megawatt plant in Jessup, PA (near Scranton) that will cost “well over $1 billion” according to an exclusive MDN source working on the project. When the plant is completed (first phase now done), and when it goes online (to be determined), it will be Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas-fired electric generating plant. As with all fossil fuel-related projects, there is a dedicated (small) group of antis attempting to stop the project. They frequently conduct smear campaigns, making all sorts of wild claims, in their futile attempt to stop the project. Here’s the latest example. The plant is, this week, going through a “short” commissioning stage–a time when they test the machinery in preparation to begin operations. As part of the commissioning, there is a “visible vapor plume and audible noise”–but NO chemicals are involved. Yet a local, well-known anti, upon seeing a waft of “yellow smoke” coming from the plant, immediately claimed she felt “burning [in] my nose, throat, sinuses and chest”–even though no chemicals were used during testing. What does that tell you about the veracity of the antis opposed to the plant?…
Read More “Gas-Fired Power Plant Near Scranton Nears Startup; Yellow Smoke”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

NYU Perverts Justice in PA by Embedding Anti Lawyer in AG Office
March 8, 2018March 8, 2018

Last December MDN told you about the bastardization of our justice system. The New York University (NYU) School of Law is paying to hire radical (Democrat) attorneys to work inside the offices of the Attorneys General in 10 different states–Pennsylvania being the latest (see NYU Buying Frivolous Enviro Lawsuits by Hiring Lawyers for State AGs). The aim of hiring these new assistants to work alongside AGs is to launch lawsuits to “protect” the environment–i.e. sue fossil fuel companies. It is a gross perversion of our legal system meant to challenge policies the very liberal NYU doesn’t like. Our legal system is now, apparently, for sale–at least it is in PA and nine other blue Democrat-controlled states. The Marcellus Shale Coalition is pushing back against this unethical (perhaps even illegal) practice in the Keystone State…
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Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA

PA House Considers “Fix DEP” Bills at Hearing on March 13
March 7, 2018March 7, 2018

The Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) needs fixing. That fact is acknowledged by everyone. The question (or rather disagreement) is in how to fix it. The DEP can’t seem to get its act together with respect to approving simple erosion permits. Turnaround from the time a permit is requested until it is supposed to be approved is, by DEP’s own statutory standards, 14 days. Last year it was taking over 250 days in some areas of the state (see More Pushback on PA Senate Plan to Fix Slow DEP Permit Reviews). Since that time the DEP has, according to DEP Secretary Pat McDonnell, improved on that number. Statewide erosion permit delays stand at just under 100 days. Still not acceptable. How to fix the DEP? The PA House of Representatives has a plan, covered in five proposed bills. The House will hold a hearing on their plan next week…
Read More “PA House Considers “Fix DEP” Bills at Hearing on March 13″
Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA

PA DEP Extra $2.5M for 33 Hires Will NOT Go to O&G Program
March 7, 2018March 7, 2018

DEP Sec. Pat McDonnell

As we point out in a companion story today, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) needs fixing, and the PA House has a plan to do it (see PA House Considers “Fix DEP” Bills at Hearing on March 13). Perhaps fearing at least some of the House initiatives may bear fruit, a few weeks ago DEP Secretary Pat McDonnell proffered his own plan to fix his agency–spend an extra $2.5 million to hire 33 new full-time employees to assist in the permit review process (see PA DEP Says $2.5M Will Fix Chronic Drilling Permit Delays). However, there’s a teeny tiny problem with that. According to the February quarterly meeting held between the DEP and oil and gas industry, all of those 33 (or 35, depending on the source) positions would be hired for the safe drinking water program, NOT for the oil and gas program. So McDonnell’s statements about the reason for the new positions and increase in budget are misleading at best…
Read More “PA DEP Extra $2.5M for 33 Hires Will NOT Go to O&G Program”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | York County

York, PA Gas-Fired Electric Plant Fined $25K for 2-Day Shut Down
March 7, 2018March 7, 2018

Brunner Island Power Plant

Brunner Island Power Plant is located in York County, PA, straddling Lancaster County. It is a huge, 1,490 megawatt coal-fired electric generating plant, and has been the target of environmentalists for years. In February 2017, MDN told you that the new owner of the plant (Talen Energy) is investing $100 million to retrofit the plant so it can, at least part of the time, burn Marcellus Shale gas (see York County, PA Electric Plant Begins Using NatGas as Fuel). The plant recently signed an agreement with the state to burn only Marcellus gas during “peak ozone season”–from May 1 through Sept. 30–starting in 2023 (see York, PA Electric Plant to Drop Coal, Burn Only Marcellus Gas). Talen will phase out coal completely by 2028. Until 2023, the plant burns Marcellus gas at various times–hence our interest. The PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just levied a $25,000 fine against the plant for shutting down for two days in the dead in the winter. Why is that a problem? Don’t these plants sometimes need to shut down?…
Read More “York, PA Gas-Fired Electric Plant Fined $25K for 2-Day Shut Down”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Northampton County | PennEast Pipeline | Pennsylvania | Pipelines

Northampton County Wants Jury Trial re PennEast Eminent Domain
March 7, 2018March 12, 2018

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PennEast Pipeline, a 120-mile pipeline from near Wilkes-Barre, PA to near Trenton, NJ., is in the unenviable position of having to sue a few holdout landowners who refuse to negotiate in good faith to allow the federally-approved pipeline from crossing their property. Northampton County, PA is one of those landowners. PennEast Pipeline will traverse Northampton-owed conservation easements along its route. Northampton wouldn’t negotiate, so PennEast sued. Northampton wants a jury trial, supposedly to stop PennEast–but we think it’s really because they want more money for the conservation easements, something they appear to admit in a recent article…
Read More “Northampton County Wants Jury Trial re PennEast Eminent Domain”
BP | Energy Companies | Halcon Resources | Mahoning County | Mercer County | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Pin Oak Energy Partners | Trumbull County

Pin Oak Zigs to North Utica as Everyone Else Zags to South Utica
March 6, 2018March 6, 2018

Pin Oak Energy Partners is an interesting company. As we reported in early February, the company recently closed on several deals to acquire 70,000 Utica acres in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, adding to its portfolio (see Pin Oak Energy Buys 70K Utica Acres in OH & PA + Pipeline Assets). The new acreage (and producing well assets) is located in Mahoning and Trumbull counties in Ohio, and Mercer County in Pennsylvania. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed. Neither were the names of the sellers. However, we now have a pretty good idea of who did the selling: Halcon Resources and BP. We have some new insights into the thinking and strategy of Pin Oak by zigging (concentrating on the northern Utica) when it seems everyone else is zagging–abandoning the northern tier for the better-yielding southern Utica…
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Allegheny County | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Wastewater

Federal EPA Approves Permit for Plum, PA Wastewater Injection Well
March 6, 2018September 5, 2018

Plum, PA

As MDN reported last July, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency in charge of approving oil and gas wastewater injection wells, was actively reviewing an application and plan from Penneco Environmental Solutions (division of Penneco Oil Co.) to convert a plugged gas well into a brine (wastewater) injection well in Plum, PA–in Allegheny County, near Pittsburgh (see New Frack Wastewater Well on the Way in Allegheny County, PA). The good news is that the EPA has given its final approval for the project. However, Penneco has miles to go (a lawsuit & state permits) before they begin retrofitting the well…
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Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Research | Statewide PA

PA Natural Gas Production Hits Another All-Time High in 4Q17
March 6, 2018June 1, 2018

Pennsylvania ended 2017 with a bang–at least with respect to natural gas production. Yesterday, the PA Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released their latest quarterly Natural Gas Production Report for Oct-Dec 2017 (full copy below). It shows natgas production rose 9.8% compared to the same period last year. It also shows the number of producing wells is up 9.2% from last year. Total natural gas production volume was 1,401.8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) and the number of producing wells in 4Q17 was 8,268…
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