ShaleBlog.com » Government & Politics

Shale Gas Advisory Board Recommendations

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:33:59 +0000

The Shale Gas Advisory Board called for “making information about shale gas production operations more accessible to the public; taking immediate and long-term actions to reduce the environmental and safety risks of shale gas operations, with a particular focus on protecting air and water quality; creating a Shale Gas Industry Operation organization committed to improving operating practices; and continuing research and development to improve safety and environmental performance.”

More at UPI.com.

Reconsidering the New Martinsville, WV Drilling Ban

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:28:24 +0000

The City Council of New Martinsville, West Virginia voted to ban Marcellus Shale gas drilling within their city limits. However, their next meeting was filled with people who objected to the ban. Now they plan to reconsider.

More at FuelFix.com.

New York Sues Federal Government Over Hydraulic Fracturing

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:10:28 +0000

An article in the New York Times reports that the State of New York has sued the federal government to force an environmental assessment of the potential risks of hydraulic fracturing, a widely used method for enhancing natural gas and oil production from tight reservoirs.

Expert Panel has 90 Days to Make Fracking Cleaner and Safer

admin — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:33:31 +0000

Natural gas is a key factor in our long-term energy strategy. A panel of experts has been tasked with finding immediate steps to make hydraulic fracturing cleaner and safer. More in the New York Times.

Drilling the Marcellus Shale on Pennsylvania Game Lands

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:05:23 +0000

The Pennsylvania Game Commission hopes to generate millions of dollars in revenue by expanding the natural gas leasing program on Pennsylvania Game Lands. More in the Wall Street Journal.

Buffalo Common Council Bans Hydraulic Fracturing

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:57:00 +0000

Hydraulic fracturing was banned within the city limits of Buffalo, New York as the Buffalo Common Council passed the “Buffalo Community Protection from Natural Gas Extraction Ordinance”. An article on the EPOnline.com website reports on the vote and includes a video showing some of the public testimony that was received before passing.

Are Ohio Severance Taxes on Oil and Natural Gas Too Low?

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:10:43 +0000

An article in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette explains how the State of Ohio is taking in very little from oil and gas drilling being done in the state and compares their income with that of other oil and gas producing states.

Foreign Ownership of United States Gas Shales

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:45:37 +0000

A letter published in The Ithaca Journal complains about the many foreign companies who have purchased major stakes in United States gas shale companies.

Drilling for Shale Gas in Ohio State Parks?

admin — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 17:31:15 +0000

The Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and Upper Devonian Shales are beneath many of Ohio’s State Parks. Some members of Ohio State Government would like to obtain the lease and royalty monies from those lands while environmentalists oppose that drilling. More in the Columbus Dispatch.

Two Year Marcellus Shale Drilling Delay in Maryland?

admin — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:43:49 +0000

The Baltimore Sun has an article reporting that Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s administration wants to delay Marcellus Shale drilling in Western Maryland for two years – which is needed for a study of drilling risks.

No Hydraulic Fracturing or Waste Water Disposal in Buffalo

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:08:38 +0000

The Common Council of Buffalo, New York voted to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing within city limits. In addition, it bans the disposal of drilling waste water anywhere within the city. More at Empire State News.

Local Government Groups Want to Cash in on Gas Shales

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:59:38 +0000

An article in the Business Journal Daily explains why many state, county and community governments are interested in offering their land for natural gas drilling. This article focuses on county governments in northeastern Ohio who consider leasing their Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale acreages.

Public Opposition to Utica Shale Development in Quebec

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:50:51 +0000

An article in the Montreal Gazette says that development of the Utica Shale in Quebec is encountering public opposition. In Quebec, landowners do not directly participate in natural gas royalties and lease payments as is customary in the United States.

Out-of-State Gas Workers

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:22:22 +0000

An article on the WBOY.com website explores some issues related to out-of-state workers who have jobs in the new shale gas plays. The article seems to be written from the understandable perspective of an unemployed person who lives in the gas play rather than a gas industry manager who needs to get wells or pipeline completed as rapidly as possible.

Can the Nitrogen Content of Natural Gas Determine Its Source?

admin — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:11:19 +0000

Natural gas has been found in two private water wells in Parker County, Texas. The nitrogen content of the gas may determine if Barnett Shale drilling activity by Range Resources is the source or if the source is shallower rock units. More in the Washington Examiner.