Gas at a Glance

Marcellus Shale seminar scheduled for February 19

The Susquehanna County League of Women Voters will present a series of educational seminars on the Marcellus Shale at Elk Lake School in Dimock, PA. The first session on February 19 will focus on air quality issues and will feature Mayor Calvin Tillman of DISH, TX and Terry Bossert, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Chief Oil & Gas. The session will run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information contact LWVSC@frontier.com.

DEP plans new oil and gas office in Scranton

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John Hanger announced plans to open a new Oil and Gas Management office in Scranton, Lackawanna County, to improve the agency’s ability to oversee and respond to issues stemming from increased natural gas drilling throughout the region. The exact location of the office has not yet been determined, but will be centrally located to provide the department with easier access to the hundreds of natural gas wells that are expected to be drilled in the region.

DEP will also hire 68 permitting and inspection staff, including 10 for the new Scranton office, in response to expectations that the industry will apply for 5,200 new Marcellus Shale drilling permits in 2010—nearly three times the number of permits issued during 2009.

DEP will also strengthen oil and gas regulations to improve well construction standards in order to prevent gas leaks that can pose risks to the public and water quality. Visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Employment, for information regarding the new positions.

DRBC hearing on Lackawaxen water withdrawal and well slated for February 24

A public hearing has been scheduled for February 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to receive comments on two dockets related to applications submitted by Stone Energy Corporation for (1) its gas well pad in Clinton Township, Wayne County; and (2) a water withdrawal of up to 21 million gallons within a 30-day period proposed for the West Branch of the Lackawaxen River in Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County. Visit www.drbc.net for additional details, including the draft dockets and other supplemental information such as hearing procedures. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on March 12, 2010. The hearing will take place at the Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing, 126 Routes 6 & 209, Matamoras, PA. Written comments may be submitted at the hearing and may also be sent as follows: via email to Paula.Schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us and otherwise to the attention of the Commission Secretary, DRBC, either by fax to 609/883-9522; U.S. mail to P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360; or delivery service to 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Regardless of the method of submission, comments should include the name, affiliation (if any) and address of the commenter and the subject line “Public Comment – Stone Energy Dockets.”