MDN decided to “take the current pulse” of our readers to see what you think, at this point in time, about the relative safety of hydraulic fracturing. The poll, after only seven days, resulted in the third highest ever number of voters for any MDN poll. A clear majority of MDN readers believes that fracking…
MDN left the previous poll up for a two week period to elicit more votes on the topic of where wet gas (ethane) should get processed: locally in the Marcellus/Utica Shale region, or pipeline it out to other locations like the Gulf Coast or Canada. MDN made it plain that we are not in favor…
A very brief weekly update. MDN editor Jim Willis was traveling most of this past week (making a living with my day job), hence lack of daily updates from Wednesday to Friday. A lot can happen in just a few days! The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) held two of four public hearings…
Not a lot of passion, it seems, on taxes or fees for drilling in PA as indicated by the low-ish number of people voting over the past seven days in the latest MDN poll. The clear majority (very large majority at 63%) believe that an impact fee similar to what Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed,…
After an initial rush of voting where it seemed MDN readers would not support the concept that it’s time to litigate for landowners’ rights in New York, the tide turned later in the week and a clear majority of NY landowners (and those who support them) have said it’s now time to sue the DEC…
A shock result from this past week’s poll, which had the second highest number of voters ever, and the most voters in a single seven day period. It appears a majority who read MDN don’t agree with MDN editor Jim Willis that the EPA should not be in the business of regulating that which the…
MDN is somewhat surprised at the poll results from the most recent poll which asked if PA should redefine natural gas as a “mineral right” for purposes of deeds and real estate transactions. Since 1882 it has not been considered a mineral right. If the courts in PA change it now, it is akin to…
According to last week’s poll, more MDN readers do not believe in the theory that man causes global warming than do. Looks like MDN editor Jim Willis is not so out-of-the-mainstream as some would charge. A conclusion I draw from this: the so-called science of global warming is far from settled. Those who believe in…
Below are the results of last week’s poll on whether or not so-called “vandalism” against drilling sites should be considered an act of domestic terrorism. Seems the MDN audience is split almost evenly on this one. Should vandalism at drilling sites be considered an act of terrorism? Yes (51%, 129 Votes) No (46%, 116 Votes)…
Below are the results of last week’s poll on whether or not local governments should be able to ban drilling. Should local municipalities have the power to ban gas drilling? No (70%, 190 Votes) Yes (26%, 72 Votes) Not sure (4%, 10 Votes) Total Voters: 272 Should vandalism at drilling sites be considered an act…
Below are the results of last week’s poll on exporting shale gas to other countries. Should the U.S. allow shale gas to be exported? Yes (54%, 119 Votes) No (39%, 86 Votes) Not sure (7%, 16 Votes) Total Voters: 221 Should local municipalities have the power to ban gas drilling? New York, as many of…
MDN enjoyed the last two weeks of August off, so this is the first weekly update since returning. Thank you for the kind notes received of both “have a great break” and “welcome back.” My wife and I recently observed our 25th wedding anniversary, so we thought we would celebrate with a cruise. Our cruise…
To the relief of those who oppose drilling, and the dismay of those who support it, MDN will take a vacation break for the next two weeks, starting August 22nd. We will not publish daily articles during that time. We will resume publishing on Tuesday, September 6th. The current poll will be left open during…
It seems the New York Times does not enjoy the same reputation it once did—at least with MDN readers. The results of last week’s poll, which asked: With respect to shale gas drilling, is the New York Times a reliable source of information? No (81%, 173 Votes) Yes (16%, 35 Votes) Not sure (3%, 6…
The results of last week’s poll, which asked: Should those who support drilling boycott businesses in municipalities that ban drilling until the ban is lifted? Yes (76%, 151 Votes) No (23%, 45 Votes) Not sure (1%, 3 Votes) Total Voters: 199 Regardless of your opinion and whether or not you support or would engage in…
First, the results of last week’s poll, which asked: If anti-drillers engage in civil disobedience to prevent drilling, should those who support drilling retaliate and engage in civil disobedience too? No (63%, 143 Votes) Yes (33%, 76 Votes) Not sure (4%, 8 Votes) Total Voters: 227 Current Poll – No Stomach for Civil Disobedience, but…