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    Former PA Rep Dan Surra Appointed to “Protect Interests” of Non-Landowners in Marcellus Shale Drilling

    Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell has violated his own hiring freeze and appointed an ally, former Democrat State Representative Dan Surra, as senior adviser on the Pennsylvania Wilds to DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. The position pays $95,000 per year and includes “protecting interests” with regard to Marcellus Shale drilling.

    In his new position, one of Surra’s responsibilities will be to focus on protecting the interests of recreationists and sportsmen as Marcellus Shale drilling expands.

    “The Marcellus Shale gas deposits represent an enormous economic opportunity for the state if done correctly,” [State Rep. Camille “Bud”] George [D-Houtzdale] said. “I think Dan Surra will do a bang-up job in the position. His work with me on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee dovetails perfectly for this position. He’s a sportsman who is also well versed on mineral extraction.”

    And this comment from State Sen. Mary Jo White, R-Oil City:

    “I don’t know enough about the PA Wilds to know if this particular job is needed. My understanding from the governor is that Mr. Surra will be doing work regarding the Marcellus Shale natural gas development,” White said. “This is an important economic opportunity for Pennsylvania, so to that end I am hopeful that he is successful in working with all affected parties.”

    Courier-Express/Tri-County: Lawmakers react to ex-Rep. Surra’s $95,000/year new job

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    Chesapeake Files Application to Drill in Oregon Twp, PA

    Wayne County, PA may see the first Chesapeake-drilled well as soon as late March:

    Chesapeake Appalachia, a West Virginia subsidiary of the natural gas development giant Chesapeake Energy, filed a permit application last week for permission to drill a natural gas well on a Oregon Township property located near Fox Hill Road, according to state and county records obtained by the Wayne Independent.

    As for the timing:

    DEP spokesperson Mark Carmon said the agency has recently expedited the permit review process, creating a 45-day timetable to approve or deny.

    Also from the article, StatoilHydro, a Norweigen-based energy company, has taken over some 590 leases from Chesapeake in Wayne County as part of a larger deal:

    StatoilHydro, which is the second largest natural gas supplier to Europe, entered a joint venture with Chesapeake Energy in November. As part of the deal announced then, Chesapeake would relinquish 32 percent of its leases – 600,000 acres – in the Marcellus Shale area to StatoilHydro for $3.3 billion.

    Wayne Independent: Oregon Twp may see natural gas drilled

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    PA Gov. Ed Rendell Proposes Tax on Marcellus Shale Gas Production

    Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, in commenting on a serious budget shortfall in Pennsylvania, is proposing a new tax on gas production coming from wells tapping the Marcellus Shale formation.

    The governor also said he will seek a “severance” tax, or extraction tax, on gas produced in the vast Marcellus Shale formation. Pennsylvania is the only gas-producing state without such a tax. The governor’s plan to establish one, at the level set by other states, would help to increase state revenue without adversely affecting gas exploration and extraction.

    Scranton Times-Tribune: Grim, realistic across board.