Information about natural gas drilling in Marcellus shale is available from the PA League of Women Voters, Delaware Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, Pro Publica, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's special report on Marcellus Shale, the New York Times' "Drilling Down" series, and MarcellusMoney.org.
FracTracker--Marcellus Shale Data Tracking is a site managed by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Healthy Environments and Communities (CHEC).
The Landman Report Card is produced by the ExtrAct group at MIT in collaboration with citizens' alliances in Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio and West Virginia as well as the Oil and Gas Accountability Project.
American Rivers named the Upper Delaware the #1 Most Endangered River in 2010: "The Upper Delaware River provides drinking water for 17 million people across Pennsylvania and New York. However, this clean water source is threatened by natural gas extraction activities in the Marcellus Shale, where chemicals injected into the ground create untreatable toxic wastewater. Until a thorough study of these critical impacts is completed, the Delaware River Basin Commission must not issue permits that will allow gas drilling in this watershed. In addition, Congress must pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2009 to help protect all rivers within the Marcellus Shale region." [Read more.]
"Overview of Current Pennsylvania Law Related to Local Ordinances Affecting the Use of Land for Drilling Oil & Gas Wells," a legal memorandum prepared for Damascus Citizens for Sustainability by Jordan Yeager, to facilitate the drafting of zoning ordinances by municipalities in PA.
Delaware Riverkeeper's Pennsylvania petition to the DRBC: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/Petition_PA%20final5%2023%2011.pdf
Delaware Riverkeeper's global Delaware Valley petition to the DRBC: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/global.petition.DRBC.pdf
Joint letter and petition opposing stripping of municipal drilling authority, as in SB 1100.
"Does an Old EPA Fracking Study Provide Proof of Contamination?" by Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, August 4, 2011.
"Cawley touts job creation at gas drilling sites," "Research group calls Cawley's statements 'misleading,'" Bucks County Herald, July 14, 2011, C1.
"EPA questions need for gas line through Pa. forest," WSJ.com, http://on.wsj.com/oB7HOk.
"Game Changer," episode 440 of This American Life, originally aired July 8, 2011.
"Commission needs to keep moratorium," letter to the editor of the Intelligencer by Madeline Rawley, June 12, 2011.
PennEnvironment petition: "Protect our rivers from gas drilling" at https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1971
PennEnvironment's 2011 Lobby Day, June 7: Details at https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1965
"Pa. wants to end gas-drilling wastewater discharge," by Marc Levy, Associated Press, April 19, 2011.
"Feds receive thousands of anti-drilling comments," by Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press via Philly.com, April 14, 2011.
"AP: Pa. Accused of Rubber-Stamping Gas Permits," Associated Press via NPR, April 13, 2011.
"Marcellus shale gas may head overseas," by Lou Kilzer and Andrew Conte, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 11, 2011.
"Why we need to study first and drill when it's safe," by Elizabeth Tatham, Intelligencer Soapbox guest opinion, April 8, 2011.
"Is our water safe?" Inquirer editorial, March 20, 2011.
"Despite overhaul, gas wastewater still a problem," by David B. Caruso, Associated Press, March 1, 2011.
"Regulation lax as gas wells' tainted water hits rivers," by Ian Urbina, New York Times, February 26, 2011.
"Pa. official defends rules on gas drilling waste," by David B. Caruso, Associated Press, January 5, 2011.
"Authority: Discharge met its regulations," by Rich Pietras, Intelligencer, January 5, 2011.
"Pa. allows dumping of tainted waters from gas boom," by David B. Caruso, Associated Press, January 3, 2011.
"Natural gas drilling issue heating up for new year," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, December 22, 2010.
"Nockamixon officials deserve credit," Letter to the Editor of the Intelligencer, November 28, 2010.
"Pittsburgh first Pa. city to ban gas drilling," by Jennifer C. Yates, AP/TimesUnion.com, November 16, 2010.
"More gas drilling chemicals in Pa. disclosed," by Marc Levy, AP/Businessweek, November 15, 2010.
"GOP victory could boost natural gas drilling," by Marc Levy, AP/Washington Post, November 11, 2010.
"Gas Drilling and Your Rights," October 23, 2010, a free public forum sponsored by the Bucks Transition Group. Details.
"Officials credit resolve in forcing gas firm out," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, October 22, 2010.
"Driller cancels permit," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, October 21, 2010.
"Drilling firm to sit out hearing," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, October 3, 2010.
"The Shale Game" on WHYY/NPR, September 27-October 1, 2010.
"Residents get lessons in 'fracking' dangers," by Annie Tasker, Intelligencer, August 29, 2010.
Town hall meeting on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, August 28, 2010. Focus on Nockamixon. Details.
"Learning the ins and outs of gas drilling," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, August 27, 2010.
"EAC's produce event on natural gas extraction in Nockamixon Township and the Marcellus," August 19, 2010.
"From 'Dump the Pump' to kill the drill," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, August 15, 2010.
"Gas drillers break rules," by Marc Levy, AP/Oneida Dispatch, August 3, 2010.
"Federal study to tackle fracking impact," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, July 25, 2010.
"Residents at Pa. hearing tell EPA natural gas drilling technique is poisoning their water," by Marc Levy, AP, July 22, 2010.
"Environmental report calls for oversight of drilling," Bucks County Herald, July 22, 2010, A9.
"EPA to again review drilling, fracking issues," by Marc Levy and Mary Esch, AP/Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, July 21, 2010.
"Gas drilling churning out dollars, but at what cost?" by Dale Machesic, Intelligencer, July 19, 2010.
"Hundreds say ban gas drilling," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, July 15, 2010.
"Components of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid," www.fractracker.org, July 14, 2010, citing the PA DEP's list.
"Potentially Harmful Chemicals Used in Pa. Drilling," AP/NYT, June 28, 2010.
"A Colossal Fracking Mess," by Christopher Bateman, Vanity Fair, June 21, 2010.
"Some seller's remorse in Nockamixon," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, June 20, 2010.
"Key approval given to Pa. drilling wastewater rule," by Marc Levy, AP, June 18, 2010.
"New HBO documentary exposes gas drilling hazards," by Michael Rubinkam, AP, June 17, 2010.
"West Chester company finds new way to treat drilling water," by Susan Phillips, WHYY, June 16, 2010.
"Pennsylvania bill to tax natural gas drilling on hold," by Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 16, 2010.
"Exploratory drilling put on hold in Northeastern Pa.," by Susan Phillips, WHYY.org, June 14, 2010.
Fresh Air on WHYY/NPR, June 10, 2010, features both Pro Publica reporter Abrahm Lustgarten, speaking about BP plus natural gas drilling, and Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox.
"Pa. halts drilling by company after gas accident," by Marc Levy, AP, June 7, 2010.
"Gas spews for hours from out-of-control Pa. well," by Marc Levy, AP, June 4, 2010.
Gasland premieres at County Theater, Doylestown, June 2, 2010.
"Company hopes to find gas in Upper Bucks," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, May 23, 2010.
"Natural Gas Drilling Permit Legally Challenged by Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Nockamixon Township," May 20, 2010.
"Delaware River Basin Commission Declares Moratorium on Shale Gas Production Wells," May 6, 2010.
"Gas drilling debate rages in Del. River watershed," by Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press, April 18, 2010.
"Eminent domain an issue in siting Pa. gas lines," by Andrew Maykuth, Philadelphia Inquirer, April 16, 2010: "Texas pipeline companies have the power of eminent domain, which allows them to site pipelines even over the objection of property owners. Can they do that in Pennsylvania? The short answer: Yes. . . ."
FracTracker--Marcellus Shale Data Tracking is a site managed by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Healthy Environments and Communities (CHEC).
The Landman Report Card is produced by the ExtrAct group at MIT in collaboration with citizens' alliances in Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio and West Virginia as well as the Oil and Gas Accountability Project.
American Rivers named the Upper Delaware the #1 Most Endangered River in 2010: "The Upper Delaware River provides drinking water for 17 million people across Pennsylvania and New York. However, this clean water source is threatened by natural gas extraction activities in the Marcellus Shale, where chemicals injected into the ground create untreatable toxic wastewater. Until a thorough study of these critical impacts is completed, the Delaware River Basin Commission must not issue permits that will allow gas drilling in this watershed. In addition, Congress must pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2009 to help protect all rivers within the Marcellus Shale region." [Read more.]
"Overview of Current Pennsylvania Law Related to Local Ordinances Affecting the Use of Land for Drilling Oil & Gas Wells," a legal memorandum prepared for Damascus Citizens for Sustainability by Jordan Yeager, to facilitate the drafting of zoning ordinances by municipalities in PA.
Delaware Riverkeeper's Pennsylvania petition to the DRBC: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/Petition_PA%20final5%2023%2011.pdf
Delaware Riverkeeper's global Delaware Valley petition to the DRBC: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/resources/Factsheets/global.petition.DRBC.pdf
Joint letter and petition opposing stripping of municipal drilling authority, as in SB 1100.
"Does an Old EPA Fracking Study Provide Proof of Contamination?" by Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, August 4, 2011.
"Cawley touts job creation at gas drilling sites," "Research group calls Cawley's statements 'misleading,'" Bucks County Herald, July 14, 2011, C1.
"EPA questions need for gas line through Pa. forest," WSJ.com, http://on.wsj.com/oB7HOk.
"Game Changer," episode 440 of This American Life, originally aired July 8, 2011.
"Commission needs to keep moratorium," letter to the editor of the Intelligencer by Madeline Rawley, June 12, 2011.
PennEnvironment petition: "Protect our rivers from gas drilling" at https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1971
PennEnvironment's 2011 Lobby Day, June 7: Details at https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1965
"Pa. wants to end gas-drilling wastewater discharge," by Marc Levy, Associated Press, April 19, 2011.
"Feds receive thousands of anti-drilling comments," by Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press via Philly.com, April 14, 2011.
"AP: Pa. Accused of Rubber-Stamping Gas Permits," Associated Press via NPR, April 13, 2011.
"Marcellus shale gas may head overseas," by Lou Kilzer and Andrew Conte, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 11, 2011.
"Why we need to study first and drill when it's safe," by Elizabeth Tatham, Intelligencer Soapbox guest opinion, April 8, 2011.
"Is our water safe?" Inquirer editorial, March 20, 2011.
"Despite overhaul, gas wastewater still a problem," by David B. Caruso, Associated Press, March 1, 2011.
"Regulation lax as gas wells' tainted water hits rivers," by Ian Urbina, New York Times, February 26, 2011.
"Pa. official defends rules on gas drilling waste," by David B. Caruso, Associated Press, January 5, 2011.
"Authority: Discharge met its regulations," by Rich Pietras, Intelligencer, January 5, 2011.
"Pa. allows dumping of tainted waters from gas boom," by David B. Caruso, Associated Press, January 3, 2011.
"Natural gas drilling issue heating up for new year," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, December 22, 2010.
"Nockamixon officials deserve credit," Letter to the Editor of the Intelligencer, November 28, 2010.
"Pittsburgh first Pa. city to ban gas drilling," by Jennifer C. Yates, AP/TimesUnion.com, November 16, 2010.
"More gas drilling chemicals in Pa. disclosed," by Marc Levy, AP/Businessweek, November 15, 2010.
"GOP victory could boost natural gas drilling," by Marc Levy, AP/Washington Post, November 11, 2010.
"Gas Drilling and Your Rights," October 23, 2010, a free public forum sponsored by the Bucks Transition Group. Details.
"Officials credit resolve in forcing gas firm out," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, October 22, 2010.
"Driller cancels permit," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, October 21, 2010.
"Drilling firm to sit out hearing," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, October 3, 2010.
"The Shale Game" on WHYY/NPR, September 27-October 1, 2010.
"Residents get lessons in 'fracking' dangers," by Annie Tasker, Intelligencer, August 29, 2010.
Town hall meeting on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, August 28, 2010. Focus on Nockamixon. Details.
"Learning the ins and outs of gas drilling," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, August 27, 2010.
"EAC's produce event on natural gas extraction in Nockamixon Township and the Marcellus," August 19, 2010.
"From 'Dump the Pump' to kill the drill," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, August 15, 2010.
"Gas drillers break rules," by Marc Levy, AP/Oneida Dispatch, August 3, 2010.
"Federal study to tackle fracking impact," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, July 25, 2010.
"Residents at Pa. hearing tell EPA natural gas drilling technique is poisoning their water," by Marc Levy, AP, July 22, 2010.
"Environmental report calls for oversight of drilling," Bucks County Herald, July 22, 2010, A9.
"EPA to again review drilling, fracking issues," by Marc Levy and Mary Esch, AP/Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, July 21, 2010.
"Gas drilling churning out dollars, but at what cost?" by Dale Machesic, Intelligencer, July 19, 2010.
"Hundreds say ban gas drilling," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, July 15, 2010.
"Components of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid," www.fractracker.org, July 14, 2010, citing the PA DEP's list.
"Potentially Harmful Chemicals Used in Pa. Drilling," AP/NYT, June 28, 2010.
"A Colossal Fracking Mess," by Christopher Bateman, Vanity Fair, June 21, 2010.
"Some seller's remorse in Nockamixon," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, June 20, 2010.
"Key approval given to Pa. drilling wastewater rule," by Marc Levy, AP, June 18, 2010.
"New HBO documentary exposes gas drilling hazards," by Michael Rubinkam, AP, June 17, 2010.
"West Chester company finds new way to treat drilling water," by Susan Phillips, WHYY, June 16, 2010.
"Pennsylvania bill to tax natural gas drilling on hold," by Brad Bumsted, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 16, 2010.
"Exploratory drilling put on hold in Northeastern Pa.," by Susan Phillips, WHYY.org, June 14, 2010.
Fresh Air on WHYY/NPR, June 10, 2010, features both Pro Publica reporter Abrahm Lustgarten, speaking about BP plus natural gas drilling, and Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox.
"Pa. halts drilling by company after gas accident," by Marc Levy, AP, June 7, 2010.
"Gas spews for hours from out-of-control Pa. well," by Marc Levy, AP, June 4, 2010.
Gasland premieres at County Theater, Doylestown, June 2, 2010.
"Company hopes to find gas in Upper Bucks," by Amanda Cregan, Intelligencer, May 23, 2010.
"Natural Gas Drilling Permit Legally Challenged by Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Nockamixon Township," May 20, 2010.
"Delaware River Basin Commission Declares Moratorium on Shale Gas Production Wells," May 6, 2010.
"Gas drilling debate rages in Del. River watershed," by Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press, April 18, 2010.
"Eminent domain an issue in siting Pa. gas lines," by Andrew Maykuth, Philadelphia Inquirer, April 16, 2010: "Texas pipeline companies have the power of eminent domain, which allows them to site pipelines even over the objection of property owners. Can they do that in Pennsylvania? The short answer: Yes. . . ."
"A forest of monstrosities looms," by Paul Carpenter, Morning Call, March 28, 2010, and the response from the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania.
See also the Pro Publica series "Buried Secrets: Gas Drilling's Environmental Woes," including:
"Pennsylvania's Gas Wells Booming--But So Are Spills," by Sabrina Shankman, January 27, 2010;
"Pa. Residents Sue Gas Driller for Contamination, Health Concerns," by Abrahm Lustgarten, November 20, 2009;
"With Natural Gas Drilling Boom, Pennsylvania Faces an Onslaught of Wastewater," by Joaquin Sapien, October 3, 2009;
"Pennsylvania Orders Cabot Oil and Gas to Stop Fracturing in Troubled County," by Abrahm Lustgarten, September 25, 2009;
"Water Problems from Drilling Are More Frequent Than PA Officials Said," by Abrahm Lustgarten, July 31, 2009;
"Officials in Three States [including PA] Pin Water Woes on Gas Drilling," by Abrahm Lustgarten, April 26, 2009;
"Buried Secrets: Is Natural Gas Drilling Endangering U.S. Water Supplies?" by Abrahm Lustgarten, November 13, 2008.
