Pennsylvania

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    Environmental “Justice” for Some, Not for All, Courtesy PA DEP

    If you live in Pennsylvania and you live in a community where at least 20% of the people are below the poverty line, or if the community is composed of at least 30% minorities, you now have an important new weapon to oppose shale drilling, courtesy the PennFuture Secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), John Quigley. Apparently the laws and regulations on the books that apply to everyone else are not good enough for po’ folk or black folk and you need extra special laws and regulations not available to others–so Quigley has “reactivated” the Office of Environmental Justice at the DEP to give you a voice that apparently you had lost. You may recall Quigley recently began talking about “establishing” such a department–only to embarrassingly learn his agency already has such a department (see Quigley Faux Pas: DEP Already has Office of Environmental Justice). With the help of mainstream media, Quigley pivoted to cover his faux pas (see Quigley Changes Story, “Reactivating” Enviro Justice Office at DEP). “Environmental Justice” is now officially reactivated at the DEP, complete with a new hire, an African-American lawyer from (yes) Philadelphia, violating the current state ban on new hiring until a budget is in place. Oh, and if you’re not poor or a minority (i.e. you’re working class or white collar)? No special favoritism for you. You get ordinary/regular environmental “justice”…
    Read More “Environmental “Justice” for Some, Not for All, Courtesy PA DEP”

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    Canadian Mounties Visit Marcellus to Learn About Greens Who Go Bad

    There is a segment of the radical environmental movement that resorts to violence. That is indisputable as we’ve seen it–in the Marcellus/Utica. To be fair, violence by antis doesn’t happen often. We would say most of the anti movement is non-violent (although a fair number do tend toward criminality with “non-violent” protests). But there are those among radical greens who cross the line and engage in acts of violence and terror, sometimes aimed at people who work in the industry (see FBI Investigates Death Threats Against PennEast Pipeline Workers and Domestic Eco-Terrorism: Worker Shot at Rural WV Oil Well Site). Anti-drillers in Canada (or anywhere in the world, for that matter) are no different than anti-drillers in the United States. Some of them turn violent. For that reason, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Mounties) visited Williamsport, PA in June 2014 to learn more about how their American cousins deal with greens who go bad. Apparently this story–that the Mounties came here to learn about dealing with green crazies–is just now coming to light…
    Read More “Canadian Mounties Visit Marcellus to Learn About Greens Who Go Bad”

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    Panel of 7 PA Senators to Determine AG Kathleen Kane’s Fate

    The end is near for accused criminal Kathleen Kane. Kane also happens to be the top law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania–the PA Attorney General. We’ve covered the rapid rise and fall of Kathleen Kane. She’s a hardened anti-driller bent on attacking the Marcellus industry which is why we’re doing a happy dance that she’ll soon be gone. However, the Marcellus industry has nothing to do with her impending removal from office. Kane leaked protected grand jury information to a reporter in an attempt to discredit a political enemy, and then she lied under oath about it–the worst offense anyone who’s a member of the justice system can do. If truth is not sacrosanct in the justice system, it all comes unraveled. You lie under oath and it’s the equivalent of a death sentence–you have no future in the justice system. Kane violated that trust and her oath and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended her license to practice law (see End is Near: PA AG Kane’s Law License Suspended by Supreme Court). Now a panel of Pennsylvania Senators will decide her fate. The special panel is holding a series of public meetings to discuss whether or not she can still do her job without a law license. At the end of November the panel will then vote–and if the vote goes against her it goes to the whole Senate for a vote, and if they vote against her, Kane will be forcibly removed from office…
    Read More “Panel of 7 PA Senators to Determine AG Kathleen Kane’s Fate”

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    Rumor: Gulfport Energy Suspends Some (All?) Ohio Utica Drilling

    rumor-mill.jpgLast week Gulfport Energy released their third quarter 2015 financial and operations results (see today’s companion story). If you read the full update, you notice Gulfport is not taking delivery of a fifth Utica Shale drilling rig in early 2016 as previously planned–which connotes they will continue to operate the four rigs currently in operation now. But therein lies the rub. MDN received a tip last Thursday from a reader that said: “I received word last night that Gulfport Energy is going to suspend operations in Ohio until the END of 1Q 2016. This would also include their service provider company, Stingray, which just had approximately 150 layoffs already. This news should break today once they inform the employees of the ‘layoff’.” MDN has not seen nor heard anything in the news about Gulfport suspending all drilling operations. We did find mention from September that Stingray had filed a WARN notice they would be laying off 47 employees in Pennsylvania and Ohio. We’re not sure what to make of the rumor…
    Read More “Rumor: Gulfport Energy Suspends Some (All?) Ohio Utica Drilling”

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    PA Gov. Wolf Lectures Dem Reporter: Yes I Can Govern, I Can I Can!

    Several weeks ago MDN highlighted a story that the stubborn, obstinate, in-over-his-head Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf can’t govern. That was the title of an article running in Philadelphia Magazine: “No, Tom Wolf Can’t Govern Pennsylvania” (see our story PA Budget/Severance Tax Talks Resume Today – Without Gov. Wolf). Wolf refuses to compromise on a nosebleed shale severance tax, which has held up the state budget since the end of June. The man can’t compromise, and frankly, he can’t govern either. The Philly Magazine article had it right. Like a petulant child, first a Wolf spokesman and then Wolf himself phoned up that reporter to tell him to get his Democrat head screwed on straight and to quit telling the truth…
    Read More “PA Gov. Wolf Lectures Dem Reporter: Yes I Can Govern, I Can I Can!”

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    2 Anti-Drilling Dems Soundly Defeated in Mars School District Vote

    My Favorite MartianTwo anti-drilling parents who are agitating to strip away private property rights from their neighbors in Middlesex Township, PA–Amy Nassif and Patrice Tomcik–were soundly defeated in their run for the Mars School District board of education. MDN told you back in June that three Martians tried to get on the ballot, but only two made it (see Anti-Drilling Martians Running for School Board in November). The two Democrats who made it, Nassif and Tomcik, are part of an anti-drilling cabal attempting to stop the legally permitted Rex Energy from drilling several gas wells some 3/4 of a mile from the school on the false premise that by doing so they will endanger the kiddies. The other voters in the Mars School District have said “Enough!” with a very loud voice. It’s obvious there’s overwhelming support to move ahead with drilling. Unfortunately the matter is currently tied up in court (see Landowner Lawsuit Against Martians NOT Dismissed After All). Here’s the good news story that the Martian Democrats were soundly defeated in Tuesday’s election…
    Read More “2 Anti-Drilling Dems Soundly Defeated in Mars School District Vote”

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    NEPA State Senator Introduces Bill to Regulate Rural Pipelines

    A northeastern Pennsylvania State Senator, Lisa Baker, has introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1044 that would regulate thousands of miles of gathering pipelines (and compressor stations) that are currently not regulated in PA. The bill, introduced on Oct. 26 and co-sponsored by three other Republicans and two Democrats, is colloquially called the Rural Pennsylvania Pipeline Safety Act. The bill gives the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) the power to regulate rural pipeline operators. The Gas Processors Association is watching it closely and says they will be a part of its development going forward. Below we have a brief overview of the bill, along with a full copy as filed on Oct. 26…
    Read More “NEPA State Senator Introduces Bill to Regulate Rural Pipelines”

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    PA County Court Rules Drilling OK in Ag/Residential District

    Since the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s horrible decision in the infamous “Robinson” case that ruled local municipalities have the right to regulate oil and gas drilling via local zoning ordinances, there have been several cases where anti-drillers have tried to turn the decision (a decision they earnestly desired) on its head. The “Supreme” justices decided that local towns and cities can control where drilling takes place–although they must reserve at least one zoned district (industrial) where they allow oil and gas drilling (see PA Supreme Court Rules Against State/Drillers in Act 13 Case). What the antis didn’t factor is that there are some local communities with clear-thinking and straight heads on their shoulders–communities that may evaluate a request for drilling and grant an exception to allow it, in oh, say a agricultural/residential area instead of just an industrial area. Perhaps the most famous example of such a case currently being litigated is in Butler County where parents from the Mars School School district along with two Big Green groups from Philadelphia are using the courts to block, since last November, legally permitted and town-approved drilling 3/4 of a mile from the Mars School District (see Rex Drilling Operation Near Mars School Put on Hold). The convoluted argument from antis is, in essence, zoning regulations are not strict enough. That’s not what the Act 13 decision was about. You can’t have your cake AND eat it too. Some towns will decide to allow drilling under their zoning laws that you may not agree with! A similar case has just been decided in Westmoreland County in local county court–and it’s very good news for the Marcellus industry…
    Read More “PA County Court Rules Drilling OK in Ag/Residential District”

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    3 Democrats Win PA Supreme Court Seats – Trouble Ahead for O&G?

    The Marcellus industry can forget about getting a fair hearing by PA’s Supreme Court from here on out. In Tuesday’s election, three liberal Democrats were elected to fill three open seats on the court, the most elected at one time in the past, well, in forever. The court is now stacked against fair trials with a 5-2 majority for Lib Dems. America’s most liberal governor, Tom Wolf (so says non-partisan website InsideGov in an independent survey) didn’t waste any time attempting to use the court victory to pressure the legislature to cave to his radical budget demands. Typical. The Dems outspent the Republicans by three to one–i.e. they purchased the election…
    Read More “3 Democrats Win PA Supreme Court Seats – Trouble Ahead for O&G?”

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    PA Allows Wastewater Pipelines to be Buried – With No Regulations

    A last minute change made to proposed new drilling regulations in Pennsylvania will mean (if adopted) that drillers can bury wastewater pipelines instead of being required to run them on top of the ground. Companies typically use pipelines in areas where it would be disruptive to have multiple truck trips in and out of an area. They’re also used to lower the cost of transporting wastewater (cheaper through a pipeline than by tanker truck). The change came after a letter-writing campaign launched by CONSOL Energy and their joint venture partner Noble Energy. But there’s a bit of controversy over the new standard that permits lines to be buried: the buried wastewater lines aren’t regulated. Not yet anyway…
    Read More “PA Allows Wastewater Pipelines to be Buried – With No Regulations”

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    Philly Enviro-Nazis Attack Dem Councilman for Visiting Drill Site

    geenaziA story in Philadelphia Magazine perfectly illustrates the Nazi-like control freaks that inhabit anti-fossil fuel organizations like Food and Water Watch and the fringe group Action United. Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. is a bone fide, card-carrying liberal Democrat. In 2011 Jones called for a fracking moratorium in the Delaware River Basin. Since that time Jones has actively advocated for no fracking/drilling in the Philadelphia region. Four years ago the Marcellus Shale Coalition invited Jones (and others) to tour a drilling rig, to see how it’s done. At the time, he declined. It’s always so much easier when you stick your head in…the sand. But Jones is a member of the Philadelphia Gas Commission, the group that oversees the city-owned Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). A recent audit recommends PGW buy more Marcellus Shale gas (see Expensive Audit Tells PGW to Buy More PA Shale Gas to Save Money). So Jones, being on the Gas Commission responsible for overseeing PGW, felt it would be worthwhile to go ahead and take that rig tour and learn the facts for himself first-hand rather than relying on second-hand opinions. So Jones agreed to attend a tour last Friday. He even allowed his name to be put on the invite to encourage others to “go see for yourselves” just what happens at a drilling rig. And that, dear reader, is anathema to the wackos at groups like Food and Water Watch, the Sierra Club, THE Delaware Riverkeeper, Action United, on and on and on. Actually touring a rig and learning that this activity is safe, and advantageous, and not the environmental holocaust it’s made out to be? That blows their lies right out of the water and they can’t have that. And so Food and Water Watch, along with Action United, attacked one of their own–Curtis Jones–for the simple act of visiting a drill site to see it for himself…
    Read More “Philly Enviro-Nazis Attack Dem Councilman for Visiting Drill Site”

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    Is it Time to Tax Big Pipelines in PA?

    is it time yetAn Associated Press (AP) story appearing in multiple newspapers and in online outlets has returned to the meme of how unfair it is that pipelines in Pennsylvania are not taxed, as they are in other states like New York, Ohio and West Virginia. Perhaps they have a point? No, MDN isn’t going “soft”! We’ve long made the argument that a permanent structure in the ground should benefit landowners beyond a one-time, up-front payment (see the suggestion by Bryant LaTourette made at the Constitution Pipeline scoping hearing in April 2014: Vicariously Attend FERC Scoping Hearing on Constitution Pipeline). The counter to landowners receiving ongoing royalties for pipelines is the argument of electric power lines. They run everywhere over people’s property. You can’t build a structure under or near such lines once they are in place. Yes, they can be taken down/removed (i.e. not “permanent”), but when was the last time that happened? Landowners are not given an ongoing royalty for the electricity flowing through power lines that criss cross their land. Why would you grant an ongoing payment/royalty for a pipeline in the ground if you don’t for a power line above the ground? You see this is a thorny, complex issue. Although individual landowners in states like New York don’t receive an ongoing royalty for pipelines, the pipelines themselves are considered property and pipeline companies are taxed for having them in the ground, giving a community-wide benefit to all residents in a town or village. We’ve remarked before that the property taxes where we live (in NY) have gone DOWN because of a local pipeline. When’s the last time you heard about taxes going down in New York State?! In Pennsylvania, pipelines are NOT taxed, and therefore taxpayers in those communities don’t benefit. That’s the bone of contention…
    Read More “Is it Time to Tax Big Pipelines in PA?”

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    DEP Board Votes to “Not Endorse” Sec. Quigley’s New Drilling Regs

    slap across the faceIn a big metaphorical slap across the face, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board (TAB) has voted to not endorse re-worked drilling regulations proposed by the PennFuture Sec. of the DEP, John Quigley. We told you two days ago the DEP was meeting with TAB to get the group’s rubber stamp of approval (see New Drilling Rules for PA Take One Big Step Closer to Reality). Looks like Quigley’s hand-picked new board members are not yes men (and women) after all. This is the second DEP advisory group packed with Quigley appointees that has rejected his onerous proposed re-worked regulations. Previously the Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee (COGAC) also told Quigley nyet (see PA DEP Sec Quigley’s Own Committee Appointees Turn Against Him). Which means both conventional and now unconventional drilling advisors, appointed by Quigley himself, don’t believe Quigley’s rejiggered regulations are good. Do we see a pattern developing here? Seeing that two boards of experts are telling him there’s a problem, does that mean Quigley will pause and reflect and perhaps consider changing his proposed rules? Are you kidding! Don’t make us laugh. Oh no no no. Quigley plans to ramrod these new regs through as fast as he can regardless…
    Read More “DEP Board Votes to “Not Endorse” Sec. Quigley’s New Drilling Regs”

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    PA DEP Sec. Quigley Defends DEP, Criticizes Patriot-News Series

    backstabberWow. We didn’t think it possible. The PennFuture Secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), John Quigley himself, is sticking up for the honor and reputation of his agency. Last week the Democrat-run Harrisburg Patriot-News ran an attack series against shale energy. We told you about it by reprinting Tom Shepstone’s excellent critique (see Harrisburg Newspaper’s Attack Series on Marcellus Exposed). Tom followed it up with another excellent article with a clip of the vapid lead author’s Twitter feed showing her outright bias against not only shale in general, but against the DEP in particular (see Natural Gas Now, PennLive Shale Series: “Erin” Go Bragh?). Quigley had fully cooperated with the Patriot-News and lead series author Candy Woodall, and now feels betrayed and stabbed in the back (welcome to the club John). So Quigley wrote a response to the profoundly biased attack series–and wonder of wonders, the Democrat Patriot-News actually published his response! Here it is…
    Read More “PA DEP Sec. Quigley Defends DEP, Criticizes Patriot-News Series”

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    PA DEP Sec. Quigley Calls Pipeline Protesters “Badly Misinformed”

    misinformedAbout 20 hippie retreads showed up in Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday to protest outside of the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) regional office in Harrisburg to protest the fourth meeting of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Pipeline Infrastructure Taskforce. In May Gov. Wolf announced he was forming a taskforce to study and make recommendations on how the state can better work with (i.e. control) where local gathering pipelines are installed (see Disaster on the Horizon: PA Gov Wolf Creates Pipeline Task Force). DEP Secretary John Quigley packed the task force with 42 members, most of them government employees (beholden to Wolf/Quigley for their jobs) as well as some from the “environmental” community and a few from the pipeline industry (see PA Gov Wolf Packs Pipeline Task Force with His Own Minions). The gang of 42 was meeting for the fourth time in an effort to complete a draft report by mid-November. Some of the best and brightest gathered outside, including THE Delaware Riverkeeper, Maya van Rossum, to protest. Quigley called the assembled antis “badly misinformed”…
    Read More “PA DEP Sec. Quigley Calls Pipeline Protesters “Badly Misinformed””

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    Update on Panda Power’s Huge Marcellus-Powered PA Electric Plant

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    Panda Power’s Rendering of New Hummel Plant – click image for larger version

    In February MDN told you that Panda Power Funds, a private equity firm located in Dallas, TX already committed to building two 829-megawatt electric generating plants in Pennsylvania, was partnering with Sunbury Generation to build a whopping 1,000-megawatt plant on the site of a recently retired coal-fired plant near Shamokin Dam in Snyder County, PA (see Panda Power Building 3rd Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant in PA). It is, by all accounts, one of the largest coal-to-gas conversion projects in the country. Yesterday Panda released more details about the project. It will actually be 1,124 megawatts. Panda has contracted with Bechtel and Siemens Energy to build the plant, which, when up and running, will provide enough electricity to power 1 million homes. Here’s the latest on Panda’s “Hummel Station” project that will be fed by Marcellus Shale gas, including the tech being used to build it…
    Read More “Update on Panda Power’s Huge Marcellus-Powered PA Electric Plant”