PA’s Act 13 Shale Law has Led to Huge Investments in the State
The Marcellus Shale Coalition, in a recent blog post, highlights Pennsylvania’s Act 13 of 2012 as a landmark energy law demonstrating how a comprehensive regulatory framework can guide natural gas development and investment while delivering tangible community benefits. We were there to chronicle the debate and passage of this critically important law 14 years ago (see Gov. Corbett Signs New Marcellus Drilling Law). Central to the success of Act 13 is the Impact Fee, a unique production tax (rather than a severance tax) that has generated over $3 billion statewide, providing hundreds of millions annually to local governments. These funds support diverse projects, including road improvements, water infrastructure upgrades, emergency services, and economic development, particularly crucial for rural areas. Read More “PA’s Act 13 Shale Law has Led to Huge Investments in the State”
AI data centers are in the news every single day. We don’t think it’s melodramatic to say that AI is changing the world right now. We also believe it’s accurate to say that everyone (yes, you reading this) will use AI at some level (if you don’t already) within the next year or two. AI, or artificial intelligence, requires, in the aggregate, millions of computers. All of those computers need a place to live (i.e., data centers). And those data centers need electricity to run. Tapping into the local electric grid is not a good option because it takes the grid years to plan, build, and add new sources of power. “Hyperscalers” (massive cloud service providers like Amazon’s AWS, Microsoft’s Azure, or Google’s Cloud, offering scalable, on-demand computing, storage, and networking resources) need to build data centers to house the computers that power AI today. Not years from now. This is a conundrum. A Pittsburgh battery company has partnered with a Houston, Texas, turbine maker to provide a natural gas-based solution ready in months, not years. 
MDN first tipped you back in July 2025 that the Democrat anti-fracking movement in Pennsylvania (and beyond) was rapidly becoming anti-data center (see 
From time to time, we highlight research with the potential to impact the Marcellus/Utica region. In 2023, we told you about Japanese researchers discovering a new (and cheaper) way to convert natural gas into methanol at room temperature in water using a special enzyme (see 
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: New statewide polling shows Illinois voters want to preserve energy choice; No to an “all of the above” energy policy; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas edges up ahead of storage data; INTERNATIONAL: Oil stabilizes on supply, diplomacy mix; Demand for Colombia LNG shipments set to surge; European buyers hold talks to ship Canadian LNG via Panama Canal to diversify supply; A clash over natural gas is brewing as Canada readies more action on green investing; Europe energy traders brace for 21-hour day as volatility surges. 
As we report in today’s lead story, Williams held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project in New York City yesterday (see Groundbreaking Ceremony for NESE Pipe in NYC an All-Star Event). One of the speakers at the event, the master of ceremonies, was Williams CEO Chad Zamarin. One of the comments he made at the event that deserves its own post here on MDN was news about the Constitution Pipeline project, a 124-mile greenfield pipeline from the Marcellus gas fields of Susquehanna County, PA, to Schoharie County, NY, to move Marcellus gas into New York State and New England. 
The highly functional and responsible Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), unlike its highly dysfunctional and irresponsible counterpart, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), continues to support the shale energy industry by approving water withdrawals and consumptive use for responsible and safe shale drilling. The SRBC also tells shale drillers when to stop withdrawing if low water flow (i.e., drought) conditions exist. That’s what the SRBC did yesterday. The agency, via its Hydrologic Conditions Monitor, warned shale drillers that, at 15 listed locations (all in Pennsylvania), they must stop water withdrawals until streamflow reaches a specific “trigger flow” target (different for each location). Another 9 locations are approaching restrictions. 
EOG Resources, one of the largest crude oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the U.S., is shifting its focus from simply drilling more wells to improving well completion techniques to boost recovery rates in U.S. shale assets such as the Eagle Ford, Delaware Basin, and Utica. The company anticipates achieving reductions in average well costs and enhanced recovery through longer laterals and refined completion methods, such as higher-density fracture stages and optimized fracture spacing. This strategy, developed initially in South Texas, enables EOG to increase production while controlling costs, aiming for incremental yet significant productivity gains across its projects, including gas-focused opportunities in the Utica shale. 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) announced a $14 million project to test enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in Pennsylvania. Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the initiative will leverage existing oil and gas infrastructure, specifically the Appalachian Utica Shale, to explore the efficacy and scalability of EGS in the eastern U.S. This project aims to convert a horizontal shale gas well for geothermal use, assessing optimal well placements and fracturing techniques. If successful, it could provide a replicable model for expanding reliable, cost-effective geothermal electricity nationwide, utilizing abundant underground heat resources. 
The Philadelphia Gas Commission postponed a vote on Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) $182 million proposal to replace and expand its natural gas liquefier (LNG plant) in Port Richmond. The commission’s staff and the Public Advocate recommended rejecting the project, arguing it was oversized and could burden customers with unnecessary debt. They also cited incomplete plant and project designs. PGW argued the upgrade is crucial for safety and affordability, preventing potential harm to customers during cold winters and avoiding the need to truck in liquefied natural gas. 
As we reported last week, anti-fossil fuel fanatics haven’t given up on trying to block construction of the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline, a $1 billion+ project designed to increase Transco pipeline capacity and flows of Marcellus gas heading into New York City and other northeastern markets (see 
We spotted an interesting article that posits Williams’ strategy is to expand its mighty Transco natural gas pipeline system by increasing the capacity of existing infrastructure rather than building new pipelines. The Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) is the largest-volume, highest-capacity interstate natural gas transmission system in the U.S. It spans roughly 10,000 miles (with 60+ compressor stations) from the Gulf Coast (Texas/Louisiana) to New York City. The Williams strategy of expanding Transco rather than building new pipes minimizes disruption to communities and the environment while meeting growing demand from residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation sectors. 
Infinity Natural Resources (INR), a pureplay driller focused on Appalachian shale—the Utica in eastern Ohio and the Marcellus (and Utica) in southwestern Pennsylvania—has appointed Scott McNeill to its Board of Directors. McNeill brings over two decades of experience in energy investment banking, capital markets, and operating leadership, having served as a CEO, CFO, and board member for both public and private energy companies. His background includes roles at Raymond James, RSP Permian, Switchback, and Black Mountain Sand. Infinity’s President and CEO, Zack Arnold, stated that McNeill’s expertise will be valuable as the company executes its strategy in the Appalachian Basin, focusing on the Utica and Marcellus Shales.