Archive for the ‘Pennsylvania Natural Gas Drilling’ Category

Canonsburg, PA – Following a vote today by the Pittsburgh City Council to deny private property and mineral owners their right to responsibly produce clean-burning natural gas resources within the city’s limit, Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC), issued this statement:

“Today’s city council vote delivered an expected, yet disappointing outcome. The vote represents a blow to the city’s weak financial standing, and at the same time is a straightforward attack on individual property rights. At a time when the natural gas industry is generating jobs and prosperity for tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians and economic development across the Commonwealth, it’s unfortunate that the council continues to maintain a shortsighted view regarding responsible shale gas development and its overwhelmingly positive economic, environmental and energy security benefits.”

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This month’s Marcellus Educational Webinar program hosts Dana Aunkst and Eugene Pine from DEP discussing new regulations for natural gas drilling.

As the natural-gas drilling boom into the deep Marcellus Shale formation has unfolded, state regulators have become increasingly aware of pollution risks to ground and surface water, and they have scrambled to develop regulations to protect precious natural resources.

Two experts with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will offer a look at the current situation in a free web-based seminar presented by Penn State Cooperative Extension at 1 p.m. on Nov. 18, titled “Pa. DEP Regulatory Update.” Dana Aunkst, director of DEP’s bureau of water standards and facilities regulation, and Eugene Pine, professional geologist manager with the agency, will present details about the current regulatory environment.

“A properly cased and cemented oil and gas well is critical to protecting fresh groundwater, public health, safety and the environment,” explained Pine. “Many of the regulations governing well construction were promulgated in 1989 and remain largely unchanged.

“New well drilling and completion practices used to develop Marcellus shale wells, as well as recent impacts to drinking water supplies and the environment by both ‘traditional’ and Marcellus shale wells, prompted the department to reevaluate existing requirements.”

With the continued development of the oil and gas industry, the potential exists for natural gas to migrate from the wellbore by either improperly constructed wells or older, deteriorated wells, according to Pine. “This migration could adversely affect underground sources of drinking water and pose a threat to public safety and the environment,” he said. “Accordingly, DEP has revised Chapter 78, Subchapter D, for its well-drilling and operation regulations.”

Pine’s webinar presentation will explain how his department is making changes to the regulations, and will detail the proposed and final rulemaking process (timeframes, public-comment periods, etc.). “I will generally explain where we are in this process and then highlight the more significant revisions to the existing regulations,” he said. “The regulatory revisions emphasize, and are intended to strengthen, proper well drilling, construction and operational practices.”

Aunkst, on the other hand, will talk about new treatment standards for gas well wastewater. “In 2010, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board amended Chapter 95 of Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code to include new treatment requirements for total dissolved solids,” he said. “This final form rulemaking ensures the continued protection of this commonwealth’s water resources from new and expanded sources of TDS.”

Most importantly, Aunkst noted, the final-form rulemaking guarantees that state waters will not exceed a threshold of 500 milligrams per liter. “In doing so, the final-form rulemaking assures the continued use and protection of drinking water intakes on streams throughout this commonwealth,” he said. “That provides the required protection of our aquatic life resources and maintains continued economic viability of the current water users.”

Based on stakeholder comments received during an extensive public and stakeholder participation process, the final-form rulemaking adopts a combination of recommended approaches for addressing these larger loadings of TDS, Aunkst pointed out. This combination of approaches includes an industrial sector-based regulation along with a watershed-based analysis.

“The sector-based piece focuses on the natural-gas industry, mandating the treatment of wastewater,” he said. “In addition, this treatment must be performed at a centralized wastewater treatment facility to the standards in the proposed rulemaking. This approach sets treatment requirements for natural-gas well wastewaters, based on available, proven treatment technologies for this industry and takes cost into consideration.

“These requirements will assure that any threat of water pollution from this rapidly growing industry is prevented in accordance with the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law.”

Aunkst’s webinar presentation will provide background on the need for the new regulation, a history of the development of the regulation and a summary of the current status of implementation of the new requirements.
Information about how to register for the webinar is available athttp://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/webinars. Online participants will have the opportunity to ask the speaker questions during the session.
The webinar “Pa. DEP Regulatory Update” is part of an ongoing series of workshops and events addressing issues related to the state’s Marcellus Shale gas boom, which can be viewed at Penn State Cooperative Extension’s natural-gas website, http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas.
Previous webinars, which covered topics such as water use and quality, zoning, gas-leasing considerations for landowners and implications for local communities, can be viewed online athttp://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/webinars.
Additional one-hour webinars will be held at 1 p.m. on the following dates:
–Dec. 16: “Plumbing the Depths in Pa.: A Primer on Marcellus Shale Geology and Technology.”  Presenter: Mike Arthur, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
–Jan. 20, 2011: “Marcellus Shale Legislation: What Was Accomplished in the 2009-10 Session and What Issues Remain to be Addressed.” Presenter: Ross Pifer, Dickinson School of Law, Penn State.
–Feb. 16, 2011: “Dealing with Gas Tax Issues: What You Need to Know.” Presenter: Mike Jacobson, Penn State School of Forest Resources.
–Mar. 17, 2011: “Natural Gas Well Development and Emergency Response and Management.” Presenter: Craig Konkle, Lycoming County Office of Emergency Management.

For more information, contact John Turack, extension educator in Westmoreland County, at 724-837-1402 or by e-mail at jdt15@psu.edu.

From Penn Live, Jeff Mulhollem

Originally Posted At: PSU.edu

By Tom Ridge
November 12, 2010

It’s an honor to join my fellow Pennsylvanians in welcoming Gov.-elect Tom Corbett and his team to Harrisburg in this new capacity. While we have a new administration, many challenges await them as they embark on a new beginning for Pennsylvania state government.

These challenges bring with them great opportunity for our commonwealth, but it is essential that we get “it” right. Fortunately, Gov.-elect Corbett and his team begin their days of renewal with a state that is blessed with a talented workforce, an unrivaled work ethic, and a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that can make us leaders in the 21st century economy.

We also are blessed with abundant natural resources that when developed responsibly, will make us a global leader in the production of clean energy. My great affection for Penn’s Woods, the 12 million Pennsylvanians I was privileged to serve, and the need for domestic energy security has called me to action.

The Marcellus Shale represents a transformational opportunity for the commonwealth; one that will use our skilled workforce, reduce energy costs for consumers and enhance our economic and environmental well-being.

I stand ready to work with our governor-elect, the newly elected state officials and all of my fellow citizens to make sure we develop this resource the right way. With the campaign ads and election season now behind us, it is time to develop a plan for the future of Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 30, I joined with the leadership of the Marcellus Shale Coalition as we made a pledge to all Pennsylvanians when we released our “Guiding Principles: Our Commitment to the Community.” It is under these principles that the shale gas industry will operate and ultimately be judged in Pennsylvania.

Environmental protection, workplace safety, developing an engaged local workforce and involvement in our local communities are commitments that we have made together. The jobs that are being created are substantial; the tax revenues significant.

The progress on regulatory modernization for this industry in Pennsylvania is already moving us forward, and the benefits for all Pennsylvanians, including the development of new markets for clean natural gas, are very exciting.

In the coming months, we plan to expand upon our “Guiding Principles” one-by-one, highlighting innovations and best practices being employed by our members. We are already re-doubling our efforts to reach out to the leaders of Pennsylvania’s workforce: our farmers and landowners, conservationists, sportsmen and community leaders to learn about their concerns in the interest of improving the industry’s performance in every respect.

As the Marcellus Shale is developed, every issue needs to be addressed, and continuous improvement in every aspect is a daily goal. We are developing this clean energy resource for the benefit of our environment, communities and the nation. No corner can be cut, and our commitment to safety and the safeguarding of our air and water is an absolute priority.

When I was governor, we were successful in achieving many of our goals. I insisted as we moved forward that we take a long-term view and execute a comprehensive plan, always in an effort to make Pennsylvania a “leader among states and a competitor among nations.”

As the plan for the development of the Marcellus Shale continues to evolve, we stand ready to work with the new team in Harrisburg not just to get something done, but to get something done right. By working together, once again, Pennsylvania has the opportunity to grow and prosper by offering our very best for the benefit of our state and our nation.

Tom Ridge is the former governor of Pennsylvania and former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security. He has been hired as a strategic adviser to the Marcellus Shale Coalition (marcelluscoalition.org).

This op-ed originally ran in the Patriot News on November 12, 2010.

Shale Gas Industry Continues to Put America’s Vets to Work

Canonsburg, PA – With more than 1 million veterans in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth, our families, and communities across the region understand full-well the sacrifice that our brave servicemembers make to preserve America’s freedoms. Through the responsible development of the Marcellus Shale’s clean-buring energy resources, the natural gas industry is helping to put local veterans to work, a commitment underscored in the Marcellus Shale Coalition’s (MSC) Guiding Principles.

“Today, we thank our veterans for their service and for keeping our homeland safe. Transitioning from the battlefield to civilian life can be challenging, especially during one of the deepest economic downturns in our nation’s history. Thankfully, as Marcellus development expands, job opportunities for our nation’s heroes do as well,” said Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the MSC, whose father served in the U.S. Navy. “Consistent with our Guiding Principles, our industry continues to ‘attract and retain a talented and engaged local workforce.’ Our region’s veterans represent some of America’s most dedicated and hard-working individuals, and it’s a privilege and an honor to have so many of them working throughout our industry.”

“We take pause today to thank our service members and their families. As a nation, we are indebted for their sacrifices and service. It is our solemn duty to never forget the courageous, honorable and selfless acts of America’s veterans and troops. Because of so many brave servicemen and women, America’s freedoms remain the envy of the world,” said Gov. Tom Ridge, an MSC strategic advisor who served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star for Valor.

The following is a compilation of remarks from veterans working in the Marcellus Shale industry:

• “As a Veteran, native to Pennsylvania and Penn College Graduate, Anadarko Petroleum has given me the opportunity to work locally and maintain a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship.” — Mark Barbier, Environmental Representative, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; U.S. Navy
• “I definitely believe that I’m still serving my country by working for Chesapeake and by working in the natural gas industry. We are helping to provide a clean, abundant energy source that is right here in our back yard – an alternative to foreign oil, and I’m proud to be a part of that. I feel like I am part of something big and something that is very important for our country’s future – so in my mind my service definitely didn’t end when I left the Army.” — Adam Beck, Field Engineer, Chesapeake Midstream Development, L.P.; U.S. Army
• “I am extremely proud to have served my country and to work for Atlas Energy. My military experience has served me well as it relates to the oil and gas industry in leading a team of dedicated men and women in one common goal.” — Michael W. Beckett, Director of Land, Atlas Energy; U.S. Army, 101^st Airborne Division
• “I really enjoy working with Range. The military teaches its members about teamwork, selfless dedication and every facet of the organization working toward the same goal. Our industry is no different. Plus, we have the added benefit of creating jobs in our communities. That makes me feel great about waking up every morning and being a part of what we do.” — Jim Cannon, Public Affairs Specialist, Range Resources; U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army
• “It has been terrific working here at Atlas for the past ten years. It gives me a sense of pride and peace of mind.” — Gerry Kirch, Measurement Process Superintendent, Atlas Energy; U.S. Air Force (retired)
• “I have been with Atlas since 2004, and started as a well tender and worked my way up.” — Kent D Lowry, Production Foreman, Atlas Energy; U.S. Army (retired)
• “I’ve been impressed with the emphasis on safety and integrity by the entire team here at Williams, from the Board of Directors and our CEO, all the way to the individual field techs. Their dedication to the communities, our families, and the environment remind me of the commitment I experienced in the Army. It’s reassuring to know one of our nation’s major energy sources is in the hands of people of integrity.” — Susan Oliver, Corporate Communications, Williams; U.S. Army (Retired)
• “As someone who has lived in western Pennsylvania most of my life, it has been a wonderful experience being part of this new frontier of natural gas. The people who live in this region tend to stay. Now they are beginning to see the benefits of the land they inherited from their grandparents who were aware of the value of oil and gas. Grammy and Pappy are smiling down at them now.” — Rob Webb, Land Agent, Atlas Energy; U.S. Army (retired)

READ MORE:

• “Marcellus Shale companies lean toward veterans and those with farming or forestry backgrounds who are used to hard work, [Linda Vanderpool, administrator of the CareerLink office in Williamsport] said.” (Patriot-News, 8/24/10)
• “Chesapeake hiring veterans for leadership: Chesapeake is luring former junior military officers to the company, rather than relying exclusively on university-educated petroleum engineers to fill those jobs. … The Oklahoma City-based oil and natural gas company has hired nearly three dozen veterans since the hiring program meant to groom Chesapeake’s future leaders began in June 2008.” (Seeking Alpha, 11/11/10)
• “Companies exploring for natural gas in Western Pennsylvania are interested in veterans, said Terri Campbell, vice president of operations for Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., which operates employment, education and training programs. ‘The companies involved in the Marcellus shale look very favorably at veterans because of their work ethic,’ and the fact they are accustomed to working long hours, Campbell said. Chesapeake Energy Corp. has an active military recruitment campaign, said Michael Lucas, recruiting supervisor.” (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 10/4/10)
• “It’s no wonder that some of the first Pennsylvanians who are actually getting jobs doing the actual drilling are workers used to grueling schedules—war veterans. One of them is Joshua Cannon, 30, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who served three tours of duty in Iraq, the last two with the Army’s highly regarded 101st Airborne Division. He was discharged in 2008, just as the recession hit, and found nothing but heartache in his search for a salaried job to support his wife and two children.” (National Geographic, 10/14/10)
• “[Rick Woodbeck of Towanda] is a natural gas driller with Chesapeake Energy. A roughneck, as they are called. He drills into the Marcellus shale gas deposits miles below the surface of the earth. ‘I was in the Army National Guard and I came back from Iraq. Instead of going to sit behind a desk I decided to try something different and I had a friend who was on a rig. He told me about it and got me an interview. A couple weeks later I started out on a drilling rig,’ Woodbeck said.” (WNEP-TV, 5/19/10)

Published November 10, 2010

Three-quarters of haulers for drillers came up short in inspections, say state cops.

Three-quarters of trucks hauling water for natural-gas drillers stopped in a recent enforcement operation targeting the gas industry were cited, state police reported Tuesday.

State police on Tuesday released the results of their latest FracNET operation, an enforcement initiative targeting commercial vehicles hauling water for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling operations.

State police and the state Department of Environmental Protection cited 1,066 of the approximately 1,400 trucks they inspected in the operation, conducted Oct. 25 to 27 in areas of the state where Marcellus Shale gas drilling has created increased truck traffic.

“Large numbers of vehicles are required to support the drilling operations, and the state is committed to ensuring that those vehicles are in good condition and operated safely,” state police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said.

During FracNET inspections, state police teams check vehicle braking systems, exterior lighting and other equipment that plays a role in operational safety, as well as whether drivers possess the appropriate operator licenses. DEP inspects a more narrow range of issues pertaining to vehicle weight, proper waste-hauler authorizations and standards for maintaining safe and secure loads.

DEP Secretary John Hanger said DEP personnel inspected 254 other trucks during the operation, issuing notices of violation for 65 of the vehicles and nine citations.

“These inspections are crucial because they ensure that wastewater haulers are working to comply with the commonwealth’s environmental regulations and are keeping our roadways safe for other drivers,” Hanger said. “Taking the time to do so now will go a long way toward making a positive difference as drilling continues.”

State Police Troop P, Wyoming, which covers Bradford, Sullivan, Wyoming and part of Luzerne counties, conducted 202 inspections, issued 476 citations and placed 84 vehicles out of service.

In addition, DEP’s Northeast region, which covers Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming, conducted 78 inspections and issued four notices of violation and two citations.

In a similar operation in September, Troop P reported violations in 154 of 207 trucks inspected. They issued 401 citations and placed 75 vehicles out of service in that FracNET operation.

Contact the writer MATT HUGHES mhughes@timesleader.com

View article here.

Copyright:  The Times Leader

Proposed revisions to Pennsylvania’s oil and gas law will force drillers to disclose for the first time the names and amounts of chemicals they inject underground to coax oil and gas from rock.

But the final revision of those rules – earlier versions of which had been applauded by citizens and environmental groups as a step forward in terms of public health and safety – contain provisions that will limit the amount of information drillers have to disclose.

The new rules are meant to provide citizens and regulators with information about the specific chemicals that are used to hydraulically fracture gas wells drilled next to homes and water supplies.

The process, which the industry contends has never polluted drinking water, has been criticized because companies have been reluctant to reveal the chemicals they use – making it difficult to prove suspected pollution is caused by gas drilling.

Unlike earlier drafts of the regulations that were open for public review and comment, the final draft describes in detail the information drillers will have to disclose about each well, including the name and percent by volume of each chemical additive, as well as the names, unique identifying numbers and amounts of hazardous chemicals that make up those additives.

The final draft also describes the limits of that disclosure, including for the first time a provision that allows drillers to designate parts of the record as containing trade secrets that will be kept from the public, and another provision requiring drillers to disclose only the chemicals listed on federal safety documents – called material safety data sheets – instead of every toxic or nontoxic chemical injected in a well.

The changes were motivated by a comment letter submitted by Halliburton, the energy services giant, questioning the need for disclosure beyond what is contained in material safety data sheets and saying the draft regulations created “serious risks” to its trade secrets, including the identity of “specific proprietary chemicals.”

Halliburton “believes that any requirement that service companies routinely disclose information concerning the chemical constituents of frack fluid additives … would be inappropriate because it would require the disclosure of trade secret information when it is not needed and would serve as a disincentive to future frac fluid and technical innovation,” the company wrote.

The Department of Environmental Protection, which developed the revised regulations, said it struck an appropriate balance between public disclosure and protecting confidential information.

But critics of the final revisions look at similar rules adopted by the state of Wyoming this year and see Pennsylvania’s proposed standard as a step backward.

“I think it’s sad that when you’re writing new regulations you are actually doing less than what is state of the art,” said Deborah Goldberg, managing attorney of the eastern regional office of Earthjustice. “There are better regulations out there; you know what they look like; they are already in effect; they haven’t shut down the industry; and you still don’t do the best for your citizens. That’s a shame.”

The Wyoming rules – the first in the nation to require well-by-well disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing – require drillers to disclose all chemicals used in the process, not just those listed on material safety data sheets. That matters, Goldberg said, because many lesser-studied chemicals are not included on the safety sheets, even if they are known or suspected to be toxic. And nontoxic chemicals not on the sheets may combine with other chemicals to become toxic.

“MSDS sheets are widely known to be insufficient to really give people the information they need to protect themselves,” she said.

And although Wyoming also allows companies to invoke trade secrets claims, regulators there have committed to scrutinizing those claims as they are submitted and have routinely rejected drillers’ reports that incompletely identify the chemical constituents.

Under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, companies are allowed to designate information as a trade secret and the validity of that claim is only scrutinized once someone requests to see the record.

Scott Perry, the director of DEP’s Oil and Gas Bureau, said the agency is restricted in what it can ask drillers to disclose because of the trade secrets standard set in the state’s Right-to-Know Law.

“We don’t have the same statutory authority as Wyoming does to be requesting all of this other information,” he said.

“I think we’ve drawn an appropriate line that addresses the public’s right to know what’s being used at these sites without drifting into areas where, quite frankly, we would be in litigation.”

Legal challenges might have held up the full suite of oil and gas revisions, which include stronger casing and cementing standards, stricter provisions requiring drillers to respond when they impact drinking water supplies and greater use of well blowout prevention equipment, he said.

The rules face reviews by the House and Senate environmental resources committees and a vote this month by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission before they take effect next year.

llegere@timesshamrock.com

View article here.

Copyright:  The Citizens Voice

TUNKHANNOCK – A sand-and-gravel company in Falls Twp. secured local permission Thursday to withdraw water from Buttermilk Creek for gas well drilling.

The township zoning hearing board approved the variance for Geary Enterprises, which operates a quarry and processing plant along Buttermilk Road.

Owner William Geary Jr. told the board his company already has a permit from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission for the withdrawal of up to 99,999 gallons a day, with a maximum of 68 gallons a minute. Mr. Geary said the water will be taken from the site for use in the hydraulic fracturing process, or fracking, at gas wells.

Mr. Geary said he has not contracted with any gas company yet. The withdrawal operation is speculative, he said, based on the imminent expansion of the gas industry into Wyoming County.

He stated that there would be no fracking chemicals or any other substances on the site, which would merely be used for withdrawal of fresh water.

Mr. Geary told the board he is still awaiting a minor modification of his existing mining permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection to allow the withdrawal site. He said he has also applied for a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers for a minor encroachment on wetland adjacent to the creek.

The board granted the variance conditional on the receipt of those two permits.

Mr. Geary said studies of the creek dating back nearly 70 years have shown the average creek flow rate is about 3,000 gallons a minute, so the water taken out should have minimal effect.

In addition, Mr. Geary said the SRBC has tied its permit for the site to the flow rate of the Lackawaxen River in northern Wayne County. He said if that river’s rate falls below a certain level, the operation must shut down, and remain offline until the river is back over the minimum rate for at least 48 hours.

SRBC review docket No. 20100907 notes that the Lackawaxen gauge is used because “local stream monitoring may not be practicable.”

Mr. Geary said water will be drawn from the creek into storage tanks, then trucks will take water from the tanks to well sites. That will enable water to be pumped continuously, while having trucks coming in and out only during daylight hours.

He said there would be about 20 trucks a day accessing the site via Buttermilk Road and Route 92. Because his company already operates heavy trucks in the area, Mr. Geary said the extra traffic should have little to no additional effect on roads.

Contact the writer: mrudolf@wcexaminer.com

View article here.

Copyright: The Scranton Times

Canonsburg, PA – This week, Pittsburgh is playing host to the 2^nd annual Developing Unconventional Gas (DUG) East Conference & Exhibition. Attracting nearly 3,000 attendees, the event’s aim is to give “operators, investors, and the service industry the latest  economics, activity, and new technology needed to successfully develop the Marcellus” — the world’s second largest natural gas field.

“This week’s conference underscores the critical and growing role that responsible Marcellus Shale development will continue to play for our region’s economy. As the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate remains near 9 percent, events like this provide a much needed boost to Pittsburgh’s economy, small businesses, hotels and restaurants,” said Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) president Kathryn Klaber, a speaker and attendee at today’s session. “More than anything, though, it showcases that our region is a tremendous place to do business, invest and create jobs for Pennsylvanians.”

Commenting on yesterday’s demonstrations, Klaber remarked: “Regrettably, some who oppose job-creating, American energy development continue to inject inflammatory and offensive attacks toward the many individuals and companies who are delivering clean-burning natural gas to America; these disgraceful smears appeared to have reached a new low yesterday.”

“As laid out in the MSC’s Guiding Principles, ‘We encourage spirited public dialogue and fact-based education about responsible shale gas development’. We support a spirited public debate about the historic economic and energy security opportunity that the Marcellus presents. But let’s ensure that these conversations are grounded in science and facts, and not in hyperbole and personal attacks,” added Klaber.

NOTE: Yesterday’s protest, which drew 200 participants – far less than the anticipated 1,900 – was covered by several local news outlets:

• The protesters gathered at Allegheny Landing on the North Shore around 10:30 a.m., where organizers distributed pamphlets, banners and signs with slogans like“shut them down,” “gas holes stink” and“Ed Rendell will go to hell,” among others. … Some of 200 protesters attempted to hang a banner from a traffic light post that read, “Burn in Hell, Halliburton,” in reference to a corporation providing equipment and services to the drilling industry. Local police promptly removed it. (Pitt News, 11/4/10)

Canonsburg, PA – This week, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched its “Oil and Gas Electronic Reporting website – a first-of-its-kind tool that provides the public with greater insight into oil and gas operations across the state,” with a focus on making “the activities of drilling companies and their business partners more transparent.” The site — www.marcellusreporting.state.pa.us/ogrereports — provides information on production reports, which are broken down by operator and county, as well as a host of other relevant reports and data points.

“Within seconds, anyone with the internet, an iPhone or a Blackberry now has access to critical, up-to-date information about job-creating Marcellus development in Pennsylvania,” said Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC). “The natural gas industry is focused on ensuring that our operations are world-class, and that as an industry, we remain true to our Guiding Principles. This new and much-needed level of transparency not only reinforces our commitment to the community, but it also gives Pennsylvanians a unique opportunity to understand the specifics of our operations.”

Additionally, DEP released air emission data from southwestern Pennsylvaniayesterday afternoon, which, according to DEP Sec. John Hanger, “shows no emission levels that would constitute a concern to the health of residents living near these operations.”

“Maintaining environmental quality – air, rivers and streams, drinking water – is a shared goal, and a paramount responsibility of ours,” said Klaber, also a member of PA’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee. “As Marcellus development continues to expand, and more Pennsylvanians realize the limitless economic and energy security benefits associated with this historic opportunity, our industry is determinedly working to put in place procedures and leverage cutting-edge technologies to help meet these critical environmental goals and objectives, particularly as it relates to air quality and all areas of our environmental management.”