Impact

Corbett wants an impact fee, but his proposal is closer to the House version. Still, following the Senate vote, he offered limited praise for the measure, calling it “a significant step forward toward finalizing a strong and sensible Marcellus Shale legislative package…While productive discussions are ongoing and continue to resolve the various issues related to the Marcellus Shale, [Wednesday’s] action reaffirms the strong commitment of the Senate to achieve out common goals of safe and responsible natural gas development in Pennsylvania.”

An advisory panel formed by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley will recommend that the state’s General Assembly impose a severance tax on natural gas production and a fee on gas leases, with the resulting revenue to be dedicated “to address impacts of gas exploration and production on the environment and natural resources” and to fund studies of issues related to the Marcellus Shale, according to a draft report by the state’s Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Commission.

While natural gas prices continue to languish, it’s likely that most producers care less than they did a year ago, thanks to the migration/stampede to liquids-rich production. The shift to liquids is expected by Barclays Capital analysts to continue, with a continuing effect on producer revenues.

A Pennsylvania Senate committee moved Marcellus Shale impact fee legislation forward on Wednesday, but observers suggest that the move is mainly procedural and say there is still much work to be done.

The oil and gas industry in the Eagle Ford Shale is growing so much that it is helping to create “entire communities” in some areas of South Texas, according to Kevin Robins, general manager of Job News USA in San Antonio.

An economic impact study released Tuesday by the Ohio Oil & Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP) found that more than 200,000 oil and natural gas jobs, generating $12 billion in wages and income, could be created in the Buckeye State’s portion of the Utica Shale by 2015.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is partnering with three universities in the state to conduct an economic impact study on shale development.

Transwestern issued a high-linepack Alert Day notice Sunday but lifted it on Monday.

Oil shale production’s impact on water supplies is potentially large but difficult to quantify and pinpoint, according to an official with the General Accountability Office (GAO) who testified Wednesday before a House natural resources subcommittee.