Even as an administrative process is ongoing to hammer out new state rules on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) by oil/gas regulators, the California Senate on Thursday passed on a 27-11 vote a measure (SB 4) to cover chemical disclosure requirements and public notice before fracking can take place. It drew short, at the industry’s urging, of placing any moratorium on the practice for an interim period.
Advisory
Articles from Advisory
Maryland Unconventional Drilling on Hold
Indications from a meeting last week of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative Advisory Commission in Annapolis are that Maryland will continue to chart a cautious course for exploiting its unconventional energy resources, said commission member and Republican State Sen. George Edwards, who represents three counties in western Maryland.
Maryland State Senator: Fracking Won’t Occur Anytime Soon
Indications from a meeting on Monday of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative Advisory Commission in Annapolis are that Maryland will continue to chart a cautious course for the exploitation of its unconventional energy resources, said commission member and Republican State Sen. George Edwards, who represents three counties in western Maryland.
Lawyer: Industry Should Follow Basin Issues, Especially at DRBC
Oil and natural gas companies looking to drill within regulated interstate river basins need to familiarize themselves with issues facing the local river basin commission and take those issues seriously before ultimately deciding whether to drill, an industry attorney said.
Wyoming Gets Citizens’ Air Quality Recommendations
A citizens’ advisory task force on Wednesday submitted its final recommendation for cleaning up the air in the Upper Green River Basin to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), prompting praise from Gov. Matt Mead.
Report: Shale Gas Possible Windfall for Maryland
Although only two of its counties overlay the Marcellus Shale, Maryland could earn on average about $441 million in severance taxes over a 30-year period if drilling were permitted there, according to a report released Thursday by the Maryland Petroleum Council (MPC).
People
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Citizens Advisory Council has appointed Marjorie Hughes as executive director. The 18-member council reviews the work of the DEP and makes recommendations to the department, the governor and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Hughes comes to the position following 35 years working on environmental and transportation issues for state and local governments, most recently serving as the chief of the DEP’s Conservation District Support Division in the Bureau of Waterways and Wetlands. She is replacing Sue Wilson, who retired from the position in December after 19 years.
Transportation Notes
Gulfstream ended Thursday morning the Operations Advisory it had issued on Dec. 2 due to high linepack.
SEAB Not Pleased With Shale Progress
Everyone involved in shale gas development needs to do a better job, the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) subcommittee on shale gas production said in its final report.
SEAB Not Pleased With Shale Progress
Everyone involved in shale gas development needs to do a better job, the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) subcommittee on shale gas production said in its final report.