by Randy Shannon

click this link for campaign finance report or go to end of story:  http://www.campaignfinance.state.pa.us/CFReport.aspx?CFReportID=73134&Section=III

The Marcellus Shale and Responsible Development
http://joehoeffel2010.com/environment/marcellus-shale

UPDATE: Joe’s December 17 testimony to the DEP advocating tougher regulations for wastewater discharges and toxic pollutants.

Pennsylvania sits above a veritable “gold mine” of natural gas: a layer of rock called the Marcellus Shale which lies underneath 2/3 of the commonwealth (as well as much of our neighboring states) and contains what may be the largest natural gas reserve in the United States.

In 2008, a study estimated the size of the Marcellus Shale to be 80-250 times greater than previously thought, which attracted the attention of the natural gas industry — the substantial investment to drill wells more than a mile deep suddenly seemed extremely profitable — and in the last two years companies have flocked to Pennsylvania to apply for drilling permits and build wells. Already, there are nearly 600 wells in operation in Pennsylvania, with many more permits pending and expected.

Continue reading Democrat Candidate for Governor Joe Hoeffel: We must take strong, swift action to ensure drilling is conducted safely and responsibly →

Pennsylvania lawsuit says drilling polluted water

AVELLA, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – A Pennsylvania landowner is suing an energy company for polluting his soil and water in an attempt to link a natural gas drilling technique with environmental contamination.

George Zimmermann, the owner of 480 acres in Washington County, southwest Pennsylvania, says Atlas Energy Inc. ruined his land with toxic chemicals used in or released there by hydraulic fracturing.

Water tests at three locations by gas wells on Zimmermann’s property — one is 1,500 feet from his home — found seven potentially carcinogenic chemicals above “screening levels” set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as warranting further investigation.

Continue reading Atlas Energy Sued for Poisoning Avella, PA Water with 7 carcinogens →

Pause the Pa. gas rush

The state must deal with environmental questions before it allows more drilling.

By Greg Vitali

Gov. Rendell plans to lease more state forest land for Marcellus Shale gas drilling, perhaps as early as this spring, to raise an additional $180 million for the 2010-11 budget. This would be in addition to the almost 700,000 acres of state forest land already available for drilling.

But no one knows what the environmental impact of the anticipated drilling will be. That’s why I have introduced legislation to impose a moratorium on further leasing until we know more.

One-and-a-half million acres of Pennsylvania forest land sits atop the Marcellus Shale formation. With the leasing of 32,000 acres last month, 692,000 acres of state forest land is now available for drilling. The remaining unleased public land is environmentally sensitive, containing old-growth forests, fragile ecosystems, and rare and endangered species.

Continue reading PA Democrat Rep. Greg Vitali Calls for Suspension of New Gas Drilling Permits →