Entries by Guest Author

Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project

By Veronica Coptis, Mountain Watershed Association The Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project (MSCP) has been developed to empower citizens to take steps to protect their property, their health, and the environment, principally our water resources, from impacts of extracting Marcellus shale in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project will be a model so that other […]

From Spectra Energy Watch: Gas Exec ‘Willing to Engage in the Debate’

Reposted with permission from Mike Benard, Spectra Energy Watch Spectra Energy Watch recently conducted an email interview / conversation with Ben Wallace. Ben Wallace is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PENNECO, an oil and gas exploration company headquartered in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. PENNECO owns interests in more than 1,200 wells in 5 states, according to its […]

Earthworks says, Gas leasing: if you’re going to do it, do it right

Reposted with permission from Nadia Steinzor, Earthworks, OGAP When the landman comes knocking, it’s tempting to open the door wide. The promises made can be beguiling: fast cash, payments for years to come, and hardly any change on your property. Just sign up now… But harsh reality can set in fast. Maybe it’s a road […]

Forced Pooling FAQs

FracTracker’s blog and DataTool are at their strongest when people contribute to them and comment on the content. In line with that mission, Leslie Avakian of ProtectMyRightsPA has provided the following frequently asked questions on the issue of forced pooling. (Please keep in mind that these are the opinions of ProtectMyRights, not CHEC.) If there are […]

Mon River Declared ‘Impaired’

By Tim Puko Reposted from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The Monongahela River is at a crossroads.  Not just at the Point, where the dark, silty Mon — lifeblood to heavy industry — merges with the clearer Allegheny. The Mon might be one of the country’s most endangered rivers, according to scientists studying the river. Since 2008, […]

Event Notices for Public Participation in Marcellus Discussions

Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing Wednesday, September 15 Business meeting begins: 1:30 pm Public Comment Period starts at 2:30pm and will be over by 6:00pm. Join Protecting Our Waters at the Delaware River Basin Commission’s public hearing! The DRBC is being pressured to release rules for unconventional gas drilling in the Delaware River watershed – […]

EPA Finds Wyoming Drinking Water Wells Contaminated Near Gas Drilling Sites

Reposted Article – Reuters U.S. government officials urged residents of a Wyoming farming community near natural gas drilling sites not to use private well water for drinking or cooking because of chemical contamination. “Sample results indicate that the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons and other chemical compounds in groundwater represents a drinking water concern,” the Environmental […]

Potential Shale Gas Extraction Air Pollution Impacts

How Organic Compounds Contained in the Shale Layer Can Volatilize Into Air, Become Hazardous Air Pollutants and Cause Ozone Formation By: Conrad Dan Volz, DrPH, MPH; Drew Michanowicz, MPH, CPH; Charles Christen, DrPH, MEd; Samantha Malone, MPH, CPH; Kyle Ferrer, MPH – Center for Healthy Environments and Communities (CHEC), University of Pittsburgh, GSPH, EOH department […]