Statewide PA

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    EQT Midstream Building $250 Million Pipeline – for Range Resources!

    In a show of “coopetition” or cooperative competition, EQT Midstream, a division of major Marcellus/Utica driller EQT Corporation, is going to build a $250 million, 32-mile “header pipeline” for arch-rival Range Resources in southwestern Pennsylvania to “support Range’s dry Marcellus and Utica development.” The new pipeline, which will be built in two phases in 2016 and 2017, will provide Range with more than half a billion cubic feet of natural capacity per day…
    Read More “EQT Midstream Building $250 Million Pipeline – for Range Resources!”

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    Drillers are Drilling Less in PA State Forests

    Shale gas development on previously leased state land in Pennsylvania is slowing down–a lot. The number of new well pads in state forests dropped to eight new pads (32 acres of land) during 2014. That’s down from 19 new pads in 2013, and a high of 86 pads in 2011. New pipelines being built converted 66 acres of forestland into green fairways in 2014, down from 2011 when 272 acres of forestland was used for pipelines…
    Read More “Drillers are Drilling Less in PA State Forests”

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    PennEast Pipeline Offers Spirited Defense, Counters False Claims

    How do you break through the ongoing misinformation pumped out by mainstream media and lying environmental organizations like the Sierra Club and THE Delaware Riverkeeper when it comes to the necessity, wholesomeness and righteousness of pipeline projects like the PennEast Pipeline planned to run from the Wilkes-Barre, PA area to the Trenton, NJ area? Peter Terranova, chairman of the PennEast Pipeline Board of Managers, is taking his message about the PennEast directly to the citizens by publishing a guest viewpoint in Wilkes-Barre’s The Citizens’ Voice newspaper. In his column Terranova lays out the case for the PennEast–and addresses some of the lies being spread by ne’er-do-well “environmental” organizations…
    Read More “PennEast Pipeline Offers Spirited Defense, Counters False Claims”

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    No Work Gets Done at Inaugural PA Pipeline Task Force Meeting

    In May, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced the formation of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force (PITF)–an effort to “promote unprecedented collaboration of stakeholders to facilitate the development of a world-class pipeline infrastructure system” (see Disaster on the Horizon: PA Gov Wolf Creates Pipeline Task Force). Last week we told you who Wolf appointed to the 42-member committee–one-third of them report to him in one fashion or another (working for the state government), and over one-half of the members work for either local, state or federal government (see PA Gov Wolf Packs Pipeline Task Force with His Own Minions). In other words, Wolf packed the so-called task force with people who don’t know a darned thing about the private sector and how to run a business. Yes, it is a train wreck waiting to happen. Wolf and his minion DEP Sec. John Quigley intends to slow down the pace of pipeline construction in the state just when it needs to speed up. Such are the consequences of voting for the wrong candidate. Yesterday the PITF held it’s first official meeting with Quigley chairing it. Interestingly, there was talk from Quigley about midstreamers getting a “social license”…
    Read More “No Work Gets Done at Inaugural PA Pipeline Task Force Meeting”

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    PA Bill Gives Tax Breaks to “Downstream” Natgas Businesses

    Here’s a cool idea: What if Pennsylvania granted 10 years of tax breaks to businesses that use shale gas and create at least 10 new jobs within three years? And what if those tax breaks for businesses were available in PA’s more rural areas–not the big cities? In other words, what if PA created more “downstream” jobs–jobs in manufacturing? Sure sounds like a winner to us. PA State Senator Scott Hutchinson (Republican from Oil City) has introduced Senate Bill (SB) 886 that would do just those things–turning PA into a jobs-creating powerhouse in the downstream sector…
    Read More “PA Bill Gives Tax Breaks to “Downstream” Natgas Businesses”

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    Ben Franklin SGICC Technology Showcase Deadline is Friday, July 17

    Listen up supply chain companies with cool/new technologies aimed at the shale oil and gas marketplace. Is your technology ready for a field test? Looking for companies to invest to get get your big idea to market? We have an opportunity for you. The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center, the same great folks who bring you the annual Shale Innovation Contest (see Winners of $100K for 2015 Shale Gas Innovation Contest Announced), are sponsoring a Technology Showcase once again at this fall’s Shale Insight 2015 Conference. Up to 10 companies will get a chance to make an 8-minute pitch followed by a 2-minute Q&A with the audience. The Technology Showcase has been the successful launching pad for a number of products that are now a commercial success. Below are the details on how to enter. But hurry! You must have your application submitted by this Friday, July 17…
    Read More “Ben Franklin SGICC Technology Showcase Deadline is Friday, July 17”

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    Director of Philly’s Emergency Mgmt to Dela. Riverkeeper: Stuff It

    stuff itThe director of Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management, Samantha Phillips, has told anti-drilling zealots to (in our words) “stuff it” with respect to their demands to know the city’s emergency plans in case a trainload of oil derails in or near the city. Phillips will not disclose detailed emergency plans–rightly so–for fear that terrorists could potentially use the information should such a disaster ever occur. Of course public safety is the last thing on the minds of anti-drillers like those in THE Delaware Riverkeeper–a group attempting to incite unrest in Philly by sponsoring “scare them to death” rallies. Phillips is holding firm and will not release details to Riverkeeper to sleazily use in furthering their own twisted agenda…
    Read More “Director of Philly’s Emergency Mgmt to Dela. Riverkeeper: Stuff It”

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    PA Drought Watch Lifted – Marcellus Drillers can Restart Withdrawals

    In May MDN brought you the news that drought conditions in Pennsylvania were beginning to take a bite out of Marcellus drilling activities–at least in the northeast part of the state (see PA Drought Conditions Begin to Affect Marcellus Drilling). On May 26, the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a drought watch for 27 counties in the state, including large natgas producers like Susquehanna, Bradford, Tioga and Lackawanna, all counties in northeast PA. On June 17 the DEP expanded the drought watch to 37 counties. However, we have good news. The DEP has just lifted the drought watch for all 37 counties–which means Marcellus drillers previously affected can return to normal operations…
    Read More “PA Drought Watch Lifted – Marcellus Drillers can Restart Withdrawals”

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    Williams Announces New Upgrades to Transco Pipeline into NYC

    More yummy Marcellus Shale gas will be flowing to 500,000 additional New York City residents by the 2017/2018 heating season if an application just filed by Williams with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gets approved. Last week Williams filed an application with FERC for the New York Bay Expansion Project. The $130 million project will expand capacity on the mighty Transco pipeline by installing new compressor station equipment, replacing a quarter mile of pipeline (in New Jersey), and upgrading meter and regulator stations at several locations in NJ, PA and NY. All work will be done in existing rights-of-way and at existing facilities–no new building or greenfield construction necessary. But that won’t stop the crazies from opposing it…
    Read More “Williams Announces New Upgrades to Transco Pipeline into NYC”

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    PA Gov Wolf Packs Pipeline Task Force with His Own Minions

    minionIn May Pennsylvania “in over his head” Gov. Tom Wolf announced the formation of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force (PITF)–an effort to “promote unprecedented collaboration of stakeholders to facilitate the development of a world-class pipeline infrastructure system” (see Disaster on the Horizon: PA Gov Wolf Creates Pipeline Task Force). Translation: We need to slow down the rapid construction of all of these gathering pipelines and since there’s no regulations in PA state law to do it, we’ll create a “task force” to slow it down for us. Last week Wolf announced the 48 people who belong to his hand-picked task force. Not surprisingly, 14 of the 48 members (almost one-third) work for Wolf–in state government, drawing their paychecks from the state and working at the pleasure of Wolf who will fire them if they don’t do what he wants. Another nine work for either county, state or federal governments. That’s 23 of 48 (half) who work for the government. How many are from the oil and gas industry? Only 12 representatives from the O&G industry–and of that, only 6 of them are from pipeline companies, the very entities that will get regulated by this unofficial regulating body…
    Read More “PA Gov Wolf Packs Pipeline Task Force with His Own Minions”

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    FUD Splatter: PA IFO Says Lower Impact Fee Revenue Coming in 2015

    mud splatterIn the midst of a political debate about whether or not to enact a severance tax comes another masterful one-two punch. First punch: the Democrat-controlled Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (which is manifestly NOT “independent” but indeed is VERY dependent–on the Democrat Party) has issued an analysis that the world is ending for the impact fee assessed on Marcellus drillers. The IFO, spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) says this year the impact fee is on track to raise the least amount of money it has raised since it’s introduction in 2012 (gasp!). How much less? Somewhere between $14 million and $33 million less (between 6-13% less). Why? Because drillers have slowed down and in some cases stopped drilling new wells due to low prices for natural gas. We note the IFO has never before, according to our recollection, issued such a forecast this early in the year. Why is that? Because the Dems need something/anything to try and bludgeon and bully Republicans into accepting the worst idea ever–taxing a single industry to transfer its wealth to another group of people who don’t earn any wealth on their own–teachers’ unions. Big Education only takes–they never give (except to transfer some of their taken money via union dues back the Democrat Party in a quid pro quo). The second punch then arrives right on cue, from a Democrat sycophantic news outlet publishes this breathless “news”…
    Read More “FUD Splatter: PA IFO Says Lower Impact Fee Revenue Coming in 2015”

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    Snapshot of 2015 PA Marcellus Activity So Far – Numbers are Down

    As part of an artful Democrat scheme to try and build support for PA Gov. Tom Wolf’s worst idea ever–a high severance tax on the Marcellus industry–the Pennsylvania “Independent” Fiscal Office (nothing of the sort) issued projections that cast fear, uncertainty and doubt that the state’s annual impact fee, which is really just another form of severance tax, will decrease this year (see our companion story today). In making their scary prediction, the IFO quotes several statistics about PA drilling as it stands so far in 2015 that MDN found enlightening (and we think you will too). Note: We’re not saying the IFO’s stats are wrong, we’re saying their conclusions are (with respect to a severance tax). The IFO-quoted stats tell us how much new well drilling is down (so far) in 2015, how many wells have been drilled but not completed, and how many drilled/completed wells have been turned off (“shut-in”)…
    Read More “Snapshot of 2015 PA Marcellus Activity So Far – Numbers are Down”

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    Anti-Drilling PennFuture Gets New President to Replace Cindy Dunn

    Since most of the staff from one of Pennsylvania’s biggest anti-drilling groups, PennFuture, has moved to Harrisburg to work in the Gov. Tom Wolf administration (often referred to as the PennFuture administration around the halls of the Capitol), it’s time to appoint a new anti-driller to head the remaining husk of the organization left behind. John Quigley, now Secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Protection used to work for PennFuture. So did John Hanger, Wolf’s Secretary of Planning and Policy. Cindy Dunn, the current Secretary of the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources was, until she moved to DCNR, the head of PennFuture. Her departure left a hole that has now been filled by another trusted anti-driller, Larry Schweiger, someone with enviro street cred who worked for the National Wildlife Organization, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the partisan environmental committee of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He’s also good with a Kodak camera–snapping pictures of the BP oil spill in the Gulf (before all of the oil disappeared three weeks after the leak was fixed)…
    Read More “Anti-Drilling PennFuture Gets New President to Replace Cindy Dunn”

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    3rd SRBC Report: Marcellus Drilling Doesn’t Affect Water Quality

    The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), charged with protecting and managing the water resources in the Susquehanna River Basin, continues to perform its duty with distinction (unlike another commission with a similar name nearby that fails miserably to perform its duties). In 2010 the SRBC began collecting the data through a state-of-the-art Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network (RWQMN). Part of the remit in that effort is to determine whether or not Marcellus Shale drilling is having an effect on the quality of water in rivers and streams in the SRBC region. Two prior reports issued by the SRBC had shown no impact on the water quality of rivers and streams from drilling. Last week the SRBC delivered its third such report (full copy below). It is the most comprehensive study to date, covering data collected from 2010-2013. And guess what? The new report shows that Marcellus Shale drilling has not impacted local rivers and streams. Period. End of story. So now we have both the federal government, via the EPA, saying fracking doesn’t harm water supplies, and the SRBC saying the same thing. And the politicians in New York State ban fracking because of “maybes” and “mights” and “possibles”–all while real data from real drilling shows shale drilling does not harm the environment–not in the way claimed by NY political charlatans. Here’s what the SRBC said in releasing their latest report on water quality in the Marcellus region…
    Read More “3rd SRBC Report: Marcellus Drilling Doesn’t Affect Water Quality”

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    “Researchers” Take to the Sky to Locate Marcellus Methane Leaks

    Tower: “Global Warming Nutjob One–you’re cleared for takeoff on runway three.” GWNO: “Roger. Global Warming Nutjob One is taxiing and will takeoff from runway three. Have a nice, carbon-free day Tower.” Tower: “Er, thanks, we think.” As the Twin Otter airplane takes off into the sunrise, it burns copious amounts of fossil fuels and belches carbon like a dragon as it heads off to monitor whether a teeny tiny amount of methane (natural gas) is leaking from Marcellus Shale drilling sites. Anyone else see the irony here? The Philadelphia Inquirer has written an (article? propaganda piece? promotional advertisement?) about a “research” project under way between Penn State, University of Colorado and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fly over Marcellus Shale drill sites in Pennsylvania to see if they can catch drillers in the act of leaking methane…
    Read More ““Researchers” Take to the Sky to Locate Marcellus Methane Leaks”

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    PA Court Decision: Leases Don’t Go on Pause When Landowners Sue

    Put on your hip boots, we have some deep waters to wade through with respect to an important court decision in Pennsylvania that affects landowners and drillers. Last October MDN told you about an important lawsuit that went to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a case called Harrison v Cabot Oil & Gas (see Important Landowner/Driller Case Heads to PA Supreme Court). In brief, Susquehanna County, PA landowners Wayne and Mary Harrison signed a lease with Cabot Oil & Gas for $100 per acre and 12.5% royalties in 2010. Learning that others in their area got better deals and feeling they were not only hoodwinked but pressured into signing, they sued Cabot halfway through the lease (before any drilling was done) to dissolve the lease. Ultimately that lawsuit was decided in favor of Cabot. But by the time the lawsuit was done and dusted, the original 5-year term had expired without Cabot drilling. The Harrisons claimed since Cabot hadn’t drilled, the lease is now over with. Cabot said the lease went on “pause” when the Harrison’s sued–you can’t very well drill with an active lawsuit. This “lease on pause” case was appealed all the way to the Supreme Court in PA, and in February the Supreme Court ruled that just because there is ongoing litigation, Cabot didn’t have the presumption that the lease was paused (see Cabot O&G Loses PA Supreme Court Case to Extend Lease). That is, Cabot lost the case. But it was referred back to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for more work before a final final ruling. We now have that final final ruling…
    Read More “PA Court Decision: Leases Don’t Go on Pause When Landowners Sue”