Marcellus Drilling News

Shell Ethane Cracker in PA Still Not a Done Deal

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

As MDN has cautioned in previous stories, and as Shell themselves have said, the $2 billion ethane cracker plant planned for Monaca (Beaver County), PA is still not a done deal. Yes it’s looking good, yes PA passed the necessary tax incentives, but Shell is still studying the site for the proposed plant. Although Shell was supposed to purchase the land by the end of 2012, that now will not happen.

Like any real estate deal—until the money is in the bank and the deed in your hand, anything can happen…

Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Statewide OH | Taxation

OH Gov. Kasich Keeps Beating the Higher Drilling Tax Drum

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

What is it about states like Texas that causes Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich to view them as “foreign” and their citizens as “foreigners” (see this MDN story). An anal retentive fixation on the part of Kasich? Perhaps.

His fixation is in full bloom again. Kasich reports he recently went on some “foreign travel”—to Houston, Texas—where he had private discussions about raising taxes. Kasich also has a fixation on raising taxes on the drilling industry in Ohio so he can “spread the wealth” around to everyone:

Climate Change Being Used as Excuse for New Law in PA

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

In 2009, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Climate Change Advisory Committee released a plan with non-binding recommendations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent statewide by 2020. The move was prompted by a 2008 law passed by the state legislature. (Ever notice “global warming” became “climate change” because the earth isn’t actually warming? … but we digress.) Part of the “recommendations” to reduce carbon dioxide is more use of natural gas. But getting natural gas from the ground tends to increase the release of methane, another so-called greenhouse gas.

PA Hospital Loses Money Covering Uninsured Marcellus Workers

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

A small non-profit hospital in north-central PA will turn in its first operating loss in five years. The main reason for the loss this year, according to the hospital’s CEO? Marcellus Shale field workers who come to the hospital for treatment—workers without health insurance:

Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Mahoning County | Ohio

‘Promised Land’ Inspires ‘Rise of the Loonies’

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

The loonies are coming out of the woodwork in response to the release of the somewhat anti-fracking movie Promised Land starring Matt Damon. Case in point is a rally tomorrow in Youngstown, Ohio sponsored by Fracfree America:

Thinning Pipeline Caused Explosion Near Charleston, WV

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, has issued a corrective order to Columbia Gas (subsidiary of NiSource) dealing with the pipeline explosion near Sissonville, WV on Dec. 11 (see this MDN story). The PHMSA found that the pipeline section that exploded, which was built in 1967, was getting too thin:

Allegheny County | Industrywide Issues | NG Vehicles | Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Cab Company Doubles Fleet of NatGas Vehicles

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

The next time you stand on the curb and holler “TAXI!” in Steel City you may just get a ride in a natural gas-powered vehicle. One cab company in Pittsburgh is doubling the number of natgas cabs in its fleet, saving its drivers more than a generous tip when it comes to fuel savings:

Best of the Rest

Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Thu, Dec 27, 2012

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012

The “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading:

Cuyahoga County | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Seismic Testing