WVU releases study of “The Economic Impacts of the Natural Gas Industry & Marcellus Shale Developments in West Virginia”

January 26, 2011

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research at West Virginia University has released a study of the economic benefits to the State of the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry, according to an article in the Charleston Gazette. In 2009, the study shows, West Virginia’s natural gas industry generated more than $12 billion in business, created [...]

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EPA Analysis: Emissions Higher than previously Estimated

January 26, 2011

Based upon a new EPA analysis, gas may not be as clean as previously predicted.  The  new analysis doubles its previous estimates for the amount of methane gas that leaks from loose pipe fittings and is vented from gas wells.  When all these emissions are counted, gas may be as little as 25 % cleaner [...]

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Poll: 72% of Americans say Don’t Trade Health, Clean Water for Energy

January 25, 2011

A national poll conducted by the nonprofit think tank Civil Society Institute shows nearly half of Americans are aware of the  hydrofracking issue and more than two out of three (69 precent) who are aware are concerned about the potential threat to clean drinking water.  From the CSI website: Nearly three out of five (72 [...]

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Upcoming Events in West Virginia

January 24, 2011

E-Day in Charleston, organized by the West Virginia Environmental Council, will take place on Wednesday, February 9th.  Focus will be on citizen lobbying and exhibits (environmental groups, small green businesses). For more information and to participate: deniseap@earthlink.net ora_clean_wv@yahoo.com The WV/PA Watersheds Compact will meet on Wednesday, February 16th at 1:00PM at the Morgantown Airport Annex  (building [...]

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Visual Assessment Training Workshop in Washington, PA

January 24, 2011

The Marcellus Citizen Stewardship Project will host a visual assessment training for citizens in Washington, PA on January 27, 2011.  Topics covered include permitting and regulations, air and water pollution, the use of the FracTracker data platform, filing a complaint, and safety.  Once participants have completed this training there will be additional opportunities for air and [...]

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Shareholders Press Drillers to Reduce Fracking Risks

January 23, 2011

Activist shareholder groups are pressing the drilling companies to reduce the risks of hydraulic fracturing, the drilling technique that is now being used in the Marcellus Shale formation of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Huge volumes of previously inaccessible natural gas are released while raising concerns about environmental contamination of the land, water [...]

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Brace Yourself: Record Production of Natural Gas Expected in West Virginia Next Year

January 23, 2011

The Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia held a meeting in Charleston on Thursday. Among discussion topics were the high production expectations for Marcellus drilling in West Virginia, beginning next year, and why Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubry McClendon no longer “loves” West Virginia.  He had some intriguing things to say about the state’s [...]

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Marshall County Industry Activity, Trans Energy and Dominion

January 19, 2011

St. Mary’s based  company Trans Energy announced it has begun drilling Lucey No. 1H,  its seventh Marcellus shale gas well in Marshall County.   “Trans Energy continues to move to a development phase from an exploration phase as it develops its acreage position in northern West Virginia” , Trans Energy President John Corp stated in [...]

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Monroe citizens fight Fracking

January 18, 2011

For generations, Monroe County, WV has enjoyed a quiet, rural way of life.   It’s an area rich in multi-generational farms, scenic byways, historic sites, and a unique geology called karst.  The residents are proud of the lack of industry and generally happy with the fact that there is no fast food chain outlet.   [...]

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“A good whiff will put blisters up your nose”

January 17, 2011

Phyllis Carr, 58, and her family share a house and a trailer in a valley along Hope Hollow Road in Fayette County near Lake Lynn, PA.  On the hill above her home, three natural gas compressors operated by Williams Pipeline noisily work away.  But it’s not the noise that has turned Phyllis’s life into a [...]

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