Gas news at a glance

• PA EYES ROUND TWO FOR LEASING STATE LANDS: With 75 percent (or 1.5 million acres) of state forest land overlying the Marcellus Shale formation, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is preparing to again accept bids for natural gas drilling rights in Northeastern and Northcentral Pennsylvania.

The first leasing round produced $190 million in return for rights to 74,000 acres of state forest lands in Tioga, Lycoming and Clinton counties last fall. Pipeline access is expected to help determine where the next acreage will be made available.

The bidding could take place in late 2009, according to Michael DiBerardinis, DCNR secretary, who will vacate his post in April.

• PA GAS TAX APPLAUDED: PennFuture, a coalition of environmental and sporting groups, is backing Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s (D) proposed tax on natural gas drilling in Marcellus Shale, as reported in E&E News. The group supports dedicating some tax revenues to conservation and mitigating environmental damage, and released a poll showing support from fellow Pennsylvanians.

The survey ( www.pennfuture.org/UserFiles09/220-2696PublicSummaryMemoFinal.pdf ) found the majority of the respondents supporting Rendell’s proposal for a severance tax on drilling. Nearly 90 percent said they supported using a portion of the revenue to protect Pennsylvania’s water, land and wildlife.

Although industry opposes the tax, 39 other states, including Texas, Louisiana and West Virginia, impose severance taxes on natural gas production.

• GAS GUIDE AVAILABLE: The Oil and Gas Accountability Project has produced “Oil and Gas at Your Door? A landowner’s guide to oil and gas development.” The 200-page book helps to demystify oil and gas development and educate landowners on their legal rights and the laws that pertain to oil and gas. Go to www.earthworksaction.org/LOguidechapters.cfm to download or order this guide.