Posts Tagged ‘chesapeake energy corporation’

Natural Gas Vehicles: A Clear, Cleaner, Cost-Effective Alternative

Canonsburg, PA – While it is widely known that the Marcellus Shale’s abundant, clean-burning natural gas resources represent one of the world’s largest energy reserves, a new study — Roadmap for Pennsylvania Jobs, Energy Security and Clean Air — examines one of the many long-term benefits associated with the responsible development of the Marcellus, in both the natural gas and transportation sectors.

The Roadmap provides a common sense, workable pathway to achieve a host of benefits, such as lower-cost fuel, more robust job creation, expanded energy security, and a cleaner environment for the region and nation. Specifically, the study — sponsored by the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) — focuses on expanding Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs), which has the potential to provide Pennsylvania with a unique opportunity to achieve a more economically and environmentally sustainable future.

“Leveraging our region’s clean-burning, job-creating resources from the Marcellus Shale, through smarter technologies, will generate huge economic and environmental benefits for Pennsylvania businesses, consumers, and public transportation systems,” said Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the MSC.

Added Klaber: “More effectively using American natural gas as a transportation fuel offers a clear, clean and cost-effective alternative to address air quality challenges, while providing a reliable, homegrown energy source to fuel economic growth. New sources of domestic energy, specifically shale gas, provides this region and our nation with a transformative opportunity. As shown in The Roadmap, the transportation sector will certainly be a part of that transformation.”

MSC members Chesapeake Energy Corporation, EQT Production Company, Range Resources, and UGI Energy Services co-sponsored the study.

“Natural gas continues to prove it will play a significant and necessary role in the Commonwealth’s – and the nation’s – clean-energy future,” noted Barbara Sexton, Director of Governmental Affairs for Chesapeake Energy Corporation.  “This Roadmap is a definitive guide for creating a profitable, sustainable and growing market for vehicles powered by natural gas.”

“This project is an important and effective first step toward achieving energy security for our country and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said David Ross EQT’s Director of Technical Marketing and Business Development. “The cost savings and environmental benefits of transitioning to NGV’s illustrated in the report underscore the importance of natural gas to this country’s energy future.”

Dan Cotherman, Manager of Business Development for Range Resources, noted, “Pennsylvania consumers have a significant stake in the future of clean-burning, abundant natural gas, and Range Resources supports this Roadmap to expand and enhance the use of this resource. Developing forward-thinking and innovative uses of natural gas in this way will further secure our energy future and solidify benefits for the entire Commonwealth.”

“UGI Utilities, Inc. supports the MSC’s Roadmap for Pennsylvania Jobs, Energy Security and Clean Air report which provides key recommendations for the transportation sector to transition to a cleaner transportation future,” said Anthony Cox, Director of Marketing for UGI Utilities, Inc. “Reducing our reliance on one fuel source with a lower cost, lower emitting, Pennsylvania produced-alternative, will create jobs and further stimulate our region’s economy.”

The Roadmap, available online HERE, projects a more than $200 million investment in the Commonwealth’s economy while yielding other benefits, including:

• A reduction in annual fuel costs for Pennsylvania fleet operators of $9.2 million – savings that can then be reinvested into their businesses, personnel hiring, and the overall Pennsylvania economy.

• A direct impact on more than 1,300 Pennsylvania jobs.

• A reduction of nitrogren oxides (NOx) emissions by 702 tons, particulate matter (PM) emissions by 14.5 tons, and greenhouse gas emissions by 21,000 metric tons each year.

An overview of The Roadmap is available HERE.

Copyright Marcellus Shale Coalition

Chesapeake Energy explains protections it practices during drilling for natural gas.

By Rory Sweeneyrsweeney@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

PLAINS TWP. – As negative issues arise related to natural-gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, at least one company is being careful to keep residents informed about the industry’s benefits and distance itself from concerns.

Speaking on Thursday at the “Executive Management Breakfast Series” put on by Penn State Wilkes-Barre, a spokesman for Chesapeake Energy detailed the environmental protections his company uses when drilling and outlined the positive economic effect the industry has had in Pennsylvania.

Chesapeake has paid out $700 million to landowners since 2008, along with $100 million to contractors in the state and $500,000 to community projects in 2009, according to Brian Grove, the director of corporate development for the company’s eastern division.

But the growth – a plan for 200 more wells in 2010 – isn’t at the expense of precautions, he said. Wells receive five layers of protection from ground water, he said, and “all of the chemicals (used in the hydraulic fracturing process) are stuff you will find in your home.”

The statement comes weeks after driller Cabot Oil and Gas was fined by the state Department of Environmental Protection for spilling fluids that contaminated a nearby wetland and a day after the department announced another fine against Cabot and ordered that alternative water supplies be provided to Susquehanna County residents whose water wells have been contaminated with methane.

“Certainly, when an operation isn’t meeting the regulations laid out by the state, it doesn’t reflect well on the industry,” Grove acknowledged, adding that Chesapeake is striving to remain free of such image-tarnishing incidents.

At least one of Chesapeake’s operating practices impressed Mary Felley, the executive director at Countryside Conservancy in La Plume, for its environmental protection beyond state regulations. Drillers must collect water contaminated by drilling activities, but they’re only required to store it in open-air pits. When Grove noted that Chesapeake stores all of it in closed containers, Felley complimented the company on its additional protections.

Grove also assured members of the Wyoming County Landowners Group whose land rights are confirmed will be receiving the full up-front payments the group negotiated, which was a particular concern for Marisa Litwinsky, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. Group members and others who have recently signed with Chesapeake have worried that the driller might back out on paying the balance of those deals.

“We’re committed to” the land group, Grove assured. “Anyone who’s got a good title, they’re going to have a lease.”

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

Copyright: Times Leader