Posts Tagged ‘Marcellus Shale’

Reports today note that a New York natural gas company and Pennsylvania natural gas company are at odds over the distribution of natural gas to residential and business consumers in Susquehanna County Pennsylvania. Both companies are trying to capitalize on the Marcellus Shale gas boom taking place it NEPA and elsewhere throughout the state. Proponents of natural gas drilling have predicted that competition from companies would occur and would benefit users with lower gas prices. The right to distribute natural gas by the two companies is being reviewed by the PUC.

The 13 trial lawyers at DOUGHERTY LEVENTHAL PRICE LLP–DLP—PENNSYLVANIA GAS TRUCK, AUTOMOBILE, GAS DRILLING RIG AND EXPLOSION ACCIDENT LAWYERS—-continue to follow this and other gas drilling stories in NEPA and Central Pennsylvania.

Republican legislators in Harrisburg continue to push for elimination of local control through traditional zoning laws and regulations of the location of drill rig pads in city, towns and boroughs throughout the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Although local zoning has controlled municipal planning for decades of all businesses, the Republican leadership is seeking to carve out exceptions for the natural gas industry. Under proposed legislation local towns that enforce zoning laws would not receive funding from taxes (or “impact fees) imposed on gas drillers per gas drilling rigs in a town. The new law would give authority to the State Attorney General over where a drilling site can be located. Many residents, both Republican and Democrat are protesting the proposed law.

Today’s Marcellus Shale news includes the Republican dominated Legislature in Harrisburg failing to reach a compromise on major tax and regulatory legislation affecting Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling companies but passing noncontroversial legislation requiring signs to spell out the GPS location of drilling pads and drilling rig sites.  With primary elections only months away, and even the most conservative constituents calling for taxing and regulating of gas drillers  in light of service cuts and local school district tax increases, the Republican Senate and House leaders are calling for Governor Corbett to alter his pro gas industry no tax/no regulation policies and reach a compromise quickly avoiding campaign issues. Additionally, DEP officials announced the proposed construction of two (2) deep well fracking waste water disposal sites in Warren County. Deep well disposal sites recently came under scrutiny after earthquakes near deep well disposal sites occurred in Youngstown, Ohio. Finally, Pennsylvania electric producers are pushing to take advantage of the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom in Pennsylvania and are moving to switch from coal dependent to natural gas dependent electrical generation plants. The electric companies are hoping to lower the cost of electricity for Pennsylvania residential and business consumers. Natural gas drilling industry leaders have predicted this positive development for Pennsylvania consumers for some time.

The (13) trial lawyers at Dougherty Leventhal Price LLP–DLP—PENNSYLVANIA TRUCK ACCIDENT AND AUTO ACCIDENT CATASTROPHIC INJURY LAWYERS—contnue to follow these and other natural gas drilling rig issues in NEPA, Central and elsewhere in Pennsylvania including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Bradford, Tioga, Potter, Cameron, Clinton and Lycoming Counties.

As natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale regions of Pennsylvania intensifies and expands, Pennsylvania Republican dominated Legislature and Governor Corbett continue to delay passage of regulations to regulate or tax the expanding industry. This is so even though so called “conservative” and “gas industry friendly” states such as Texas continue to tax gas profits at significant rates, but also continue to pass and enforce regulations on almost every portion of the gas drilling industry. Case in point are the new disclosure regulations which become enforceable in Texas on February 1, 2012. The new regulations require gas companies to report the nature of chemicals used in the fracking process. These reporting requirements have been sought by environmental groups and landowners for some time. Additionally, gas drilling companies in Texas must now report the amounts of fresh water used daily at each natural gas drilling pad. This is significant because Texas is in the grasp of its worst drought in state history. Estimates are that between one (1) per cent and two (2) per cent of all fresh water in Texas is utilized in the fracking process. Critics say this could be higher. These issues have not been officially regulated to any extent in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile the debate, mostly among controlling Republican members–many receiving significant criticism in their home districts—continues in Harrisburg.

The thirteen (13) Trial Lawyers at Dougherty Leventhal Price LLP–DLP–PENNSYLVANIA CATASTROPHIC AND SERIOUS INJURY ATTORNEYS—-continue to follow closely these and other Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling rig issues throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Bradford, Tioga, Potter, and Lycoming Counties.

News in and around the Marcellus shale natural gas drilling region continues to mount at a staggering rate. Stories today include a push by Pennsylvania’s top government officials, including Senator Bob Casey to encourage Shell Oil and Gas to build a huge natural gas processing plant in Pennsylvania. Additionally, today is the last day for public comment on the pending natural gas drilling regulations in New York. Other reports note a fracking liquid spill caused intentionally  by vandals in Bradford County; a pipe line easement deal on a rails to trails project in Susquehanna County and reports of significant positive hotel and airport usage increases throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.

The thirteen (13) trial lawyers ant Dougherty Leventhal Price LLP–DLP–PENNSYLVANIA CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT LAWYERS–continue to follow these and othe natural gas drilling issues throughout the Marcellus Shale Regions of Pennsylvania and New York.

With the ever-growing number of employees working in the Marcellus Shale gas drilling field comes the increasing risk of workers being injured on the job. Here at Dougherty, Leventhal & Price, we have the experience to assist you in the litigation of your workers compensation injury claim should you be injured on the job. A work injury can often be the result of the negligence of a third party. In such situations, the injured worker, in addition to having a claim against his employer under the Workers Compenastion Act, may also have a civil liability claim against the negligent third party whose action caused or contributed to the injury. The lawyers at DLP will carefully review your case to insure that all of your rights are properly protected and that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.

The strength of Washington County’s economy was again confirmed last week as the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that Washington County had the third highest percentage increase of employment in the entire country

By Jeff Kotula; Originally published on October 16 in the Observer Reporter

The strength of Washington County’s economy was again confirmed last week as the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that Washington County had the third highest percentage increase of employment in the entire country. The bureau determined that between March 2010 and March 2011, Washington County’s employment growth was 4.3 percent. Only two other counties in the U.S. – Elkhart County in Indiana and Ottawa County in Michigan had higher employment growth rates. This is a significant finding and is directly related to the positive economic impact of the Marcellus Shale industry in our county.

We have every reason to feel energized about Washington County’s future as we are at the epicenter of Pennsylvania’s natural gas development. The county was the home to the first Marcellus Shale well and the first horizontal well. We have one of the highest rates of drilling activity and production in the state. With an abundant supply of these natural resources, our county is attracting energy companies every day and this means jobs for our residents.

In Southpointe alone, over 50 energy and energy-related companies have located offices and operations. Companies such as Consol Energy, one of the nation’s largest producers of natural resources, chose Southpointe for its world headquarters and Range Resources, the first company to test modern drilling and completion techniques in the Marcellus Shale, will expand on its already significant presence when it opens its new headquarters in Southpointe later this year. In addition, energy and energy-related companies such as Chesapeake Energy, Rice Energy, UniversalPegasus, Select Energy, Steptoe & Johnson and others have established operations or expanded across our county. While these companies alone are creating jobs and investment, we should not forget the positive secondary effects of the energy industry on our local economy.

New industry also brings new opportunities for local businesses and residents. Many local industrial suppliers, manufacturers, restaurants, hotels, shops and services in our county are all experiencing an increase in business because of the energy industry. New business means new jobs. In addition, our agricultural sector, which is still one of the county’s largest industries, is being re-energized by leasing activities and is re-investing those resources into new equipment and improvements. This translates into new customers for farm suppliers and other businesses that support our local agricultural communities. The natural gas industry has created “economies of shale” that not only provides jobs and economic benefits for those in the energy industry itself, but also for local businesses, services and residents that are experiencing new growth by supporting the industry. All of these new jobs are why Washington County is third in the nation in percentage increase of employment growth, has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the region and why we are now considered “The Energy Capital of the East.”

Washington County is at the center of the largest nonconventional natural gas reserve in the world, and it is up to us to make the most of it. Exploring for and producing clean-burning natural gas in the Marcellus Shale will generate billions of dollars and continue to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania, many of them in Washington County. With states such as Ohio and West Virginia also looking to capitalize on natural gas opportunities, we must continue to support the industry locally and work with our legislators and business community to insure their growth continues to be ours. In Washington County we do not just believe the energy industry is revitalizing our county and creating jobs, we can prove it.

The writer is president of Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Posted at Pioga.org

In it’s continuing efforts to build out infrastructure to transport the Marcellus Shale natural gas found in Northeastern Pennsylvania to market, a pipe line company reported another drilling mud spill during construction.  The company reports that the drilling mud spill was contained and did not pollute the pristine streams in the construction area.  DEP was called and is on site investigating the spill.  The twelve lawyers at DLP, PENNSYLVANIA TRUCK ACCIDENT AND DRILLING RIG ACCIDENT/INJURY LAWYERS, continue to monitor this and other drilling rig issues in Bradford, Susquehanna, Tioga, Potter, Wyoming, Sullivan,Lycoming and other locations in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.  

“Local business owners taking advantage of Marcellus Shale”

Canonsburg, Pa. – As responsible Marcellus Shale natural gas development continues to expand across the commonwealth, so too are the opportunities for Pennsylvania-based businesses and workers. That was the topic of discussion at two events held yesterday in Johnstown and La Plume, Pa., where more than 275 small business owners and representatives attended seminars to learn more about the Marcellus-related supply chain opportunities. Partnering with Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Catalyst Connection (Regional Industrial Resources Center), members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition spoke directly to the needs of the industry and the host of business opportunities associated with this fast-growing industry. The La Plume (Lackawanna County) event was hosted by the Scranton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s MetroAction and Keystone College. Following are highlights from the forums:

• Mighty Marcellus “Outproducing Expectations”: “The Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania appears to be outproducing expectations, area business owners were told at a meeting Tuesday in Johnstown. More than 150 people packed the Holiday Inn along Market Street to learn how they can cash in on the lucrative and expanding natural gas industry. The event was organized by Johnstown Area Regional Industries and Catalyst Connection, a Pittsburgh-based manufacturing consulting group.” (Daily American, 8/23/11)
• “Businesses Learn To Tap Economic Potential Of Marcellus Shale Drilling”: “With Marcellus Shale drilling becoming a major player in Pennsylvania’s economy, the industry is now impacting other smaller businesses that can supply its needs. … Representatives of 155 small businesses attended to the forum…made up of Marcellus shale business experts, gave an insider’s perspective on what it takes to do business with the natural gas industry. “What’s so important it that the businesses, the employers, throughout the commonwealth understand what this industry can do for them for growing their businesses,” said Kathryn Klaber of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.” (WJAC-TV, 8/23/11)

• Seminar Informs Small Businesses on Marcellus Opportunities: “Keystone College and MetroAction, a division of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, recently hosted ‘Marcellus Shale and Your Business,’ a seminar designed to help local businesses learn more about opportunities in the Marcellus Shale region. Approximately 125 local business professionals attended the event, held in Keystone’s Hibbard Campus Center.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 8/24/11)
• Johnstown Small Business Benefiting from the Marcellus Multiplier: “RNDT Inc. President Fred Raco said his Johnstown-based commercial testing company has found work running industrial X-rays on pipelines and castings for natural gas drillers. “We were a perfect fit,” Raco said. “We were a local company. They didn’t have to bring companies in from out of state, or even Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.” Raco encouraged local businesses to attend industry trade shows to network. U.S. Rep. Mark Critz gave the opening remarks. Interviewed after his speech, Critz said Tuesday’s event was about networking not only with corporations, but also connecting small businesses along the ‘supply chain’ of the Marcellus Shale.” (Daily American, 8/23/11)

Additional information:

• Fact Sheet: Marcellus Multiplier, Powering Pennsylvania’s Supply Chain

Posted at MarcellusCoalition.org

Pennsylvania gas drilling remains in a constant state of change and updates.  Reports today indicate that the Marcellus Shale gas field in Pennsylvania holds significantly more natural gas deposits than even recent estimates.  Good news.  However, other reports today note another reported methane gas problem in water wells and possibly a pond in Lenox, Susquehanna County.  The gas drilling company is investigating and no conclusions have been reached.  Bad news for an industry trying to avoid environmental problems, especially water pollution.  Pennsylvania truck accident and drilling rig injury lawyers Dougherty Leventhal & Price  LLP, DLP, continue to monitor these and other Marcellus Shale gas drilling issues in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania.