New Energy Information Administration forecasts indicate rising power generation from renewable energy will reduce generation from fossil fuel-fired power plants over the next two years. The forecast share of generation for U.S. non-hydropower renewable sources from 2021 to 2023, including solar and wind, grows from 13% to 17% while power generation from natural gas and coal will fall from 37% to 34%, and 23% to 22%, respectively. More information can be found here: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=50918#
2021
New data released by the Energy Information Administration show renewable energy became the second highest source of electricity in the United States behind natural gas in 2020. Wind, hydroelectric, solar, biomass and geothermal combined accounted for 834 billion kilowatt hours, or about 21% of all power generation in 2020. Natural gas still leads as the nation’s top source of electricity, generating 1,617 kWh last year, or about 40% of U.S. power generation. The new figures can be found here: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=48896
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently released its 2020 Oil and Gas Annual Report which can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/af368dfb17bd4f219ea0ee22bd4c514a In 2020 total unconventional gas production in Pennsylvania continued to increase to 7.1 trillion cubic feet, compared to 6.8 trillion cubic feet in 2019. This report provides highlights on well permitting and drilling activity, well site inspections, compliance and enforcement statistics, department accomplishments and future regulatory initiatives related to both conventional and unconventional oil and gas development in Pennsylvania.
2020
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently released its 2019 Oil and Gas Annual Report which can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3f99825a393d4fe080d6d1c8e74b6f34 In 2019 total unconventional gas production in Pennsylvania continued to increase to 6.8 trillion cubic feet, compared to 6.1 trillion cubic feet in 2018. This report provides highlights on well permitting and drilling activity, well site inspections, compliance and enforcement statistics, department accomplishments and future regulatory initiatives related to both conventional and unconventional oil and gas development in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently released its 2018 Oil and Gas Annual Report which can be found here: https://www.depgis.state.pa.us/2018OilGasAnnualReport/index.html This report provides highlights on well permitting and drilling activity, well site inspections, compliance and enforcement statistics, department accomplishments and future regulatory initiatives related to both conventional and unconventional oil and gas development in Pennsylvania.
2018
Author of ‘The Fracking Debate’ to speak at Penn State March 1
Daniel Raimi, who will bring a holistic perspective on shale energy from his travels talking to people and communities affected, will speak from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the Sutliff Auditorium in the Lewis Katz Building at the University Park campus. See flyer for details.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently released its 2017 Oil and Gas Annual Report which can be found here: https://www.depgis.state.pa.us/2017oilandgasannualreport/index.html
This report provides highlights on well permitting and drilling activity, well site inspections, compliance and enforcement statistics, department accomplishments and future regulatory initiatives related to both conventional and unconventional oil and gas development in Pennsylvania.
Natural gas overtook coal as the top source of U.S. electric power generation for the first time ever earlier this year, a milestone that has been in the making for years as the price of gas slides and new regulations make coal more risky for power generators. About 31 percent of electric power generation in April came from natural gas, and 30 percent from coal, according to a recently released report from the research company SNL Energy, which used data from the U.S. Department of Energy. – Link to NYT article expired.
The Bureau of Technical Utility Services prepared and released the Pennsylvania Natural Gas Outlook Report to summarize the 2014 financial and supply data for the Pennsylvania natural gas distribution companies to present relevant topics of interest with regard to the Pennsylvania natural gas industry. National trends including utilization, macroeconomic and industry data for the U.S. as a whole are included in this report for context since shale development in Pennsylvania impacts the entire nation.
How much natural gas can the Marcellus Shale produce? An explanation. The key to comprehending the wide-ranging estimates of the Marcellus shale’s natural gas reserves lies in understanding the nuances of the terms applied to oil and gas reserve estimates–namely, proved, unproved, undiscovered and technically recoverable.
January
Pennsylania Department of Environmental Protection – Utilization of Mine Influenced Water for Natural Gas Extraction Activities This paper outlines: (i) a process for DEP review of proposals to utilize MIW; (ii) possible options for storing MIW used for natural gas extraction activities; and, (iii) potential solutions to address long-term liability issues. DEP is available to any interested parties to discuss potential sites and technical issues, to help structure a project with respect to permitting requirements and liability issues, and to assist with developing partnerships between oil and gas industry representatives and local watershed organizations or other organizations involved in MIW treatment or abandoned mine reclamation efforts.
2011
October
Study looks at water quality in private wells near Marcellus drilling – A study of more than 200 drinking water wells near Marcellus Shale natural gas wells in 20 counties did not find statistically significant evidence of contamination from hydraulic fracturing – a process used by gas drillers to release natural gas using a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemical additives.
Marcellus Shale Research Network to track shale region’s water quality – Development of a database that will be able to track potential impacts of Marcellus Shale activity on water quality is the focus of a new $750,000 research collaboration led by Penn State researchers.
September
MCOR to Lead NSF Science Education Grant on Shale Gas, Energy – A multidisciplinary team of Penn State researchers will pilot science- and energy-based programming to Pennsylvania counties experiencing natural gas exploration and production as part of a $2.5-million grant from the National Science Foundation
August
Study indicates economic benefits from Marcellus Shale, but questions remain – A new study examining the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom in Pennsylvania suggests that, although development of this resource is having a positive economic impact in the state, the net benefits may be more modest than previously reported.
Natural Gas Utilization Workshop – June 29-30, 2011; University Park, Pa. A new industry-led initiative to promote in-state utilization of Marcellus Shale natural gas by developing combined-heat-and-power (CHP) systems was announced Thursday at the Natural Gas Utilization Workshop at Penn State.
Marcellus Shale Multi-State Academic Research Conference – May 10-11, 2011; Altoona, Pa. The conference aims to bring together academic researchers across the Mid-Atlantic region to build multi-institutional academic partnerships focused on Marcellus Shale and to identify a broad applied research agenda that includes natural resources, wildlife, community and economic implications and production technologies. Note: Participants need to be affiliated with a university in order to attend.
March
State Tax Implications of Marcellus Shale: What the Pennsylvania Data Say in 2010.. This new Penn State publication examines state tax collection data, specifically comparing Marcellus and non-Marcellus counties. Recent state tax collection information gathered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue provides some insight into the short run economic and state tax implications of gas development in the Commonwealth.
MCOR Extension Associate Yoxtheimer to present at Marcellus Shale Water Resources Workshop David Yoxtheimer, MCOR Extension Associate, will discuss “Water Use and Treatment in Natural Gas Drilling” at the “Marcellus Shale in the Shenandoah Valley: Opportunities and Issues” workshop on Thursday, Oct. 28. Held in Winchester, Va., the workshop (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) is sponsored by Regional Water Resources Policy Committee and the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission.
Water Management for Marcellus Shale Gas Production a Growing Issue Webinar with David Yoxtheimer, Extension Associate, Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research
Grant to Help Penn College Deliver Marcellus Shale Training Federal grant funding totaling nearly $5 million will enable Pennsylvania College of Technology to serve as one of two regional hubs coordinating the delivery of job recruitment, training and placement services for the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry across several states. Penn College and Westmoreland County Community College will lead a consortium of colleges and training organizations tasked with training qualified workers in 69 counties in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
DEP Proposes New Regulations for Oil and Gas Wells The PA Department of Environmental Protection is proposing new regulations that will update existing rules for drilling, casing, cementing, testing, monitoring, and plugging of oil and gas wells. The new regulations will also update rules for protecting public and private water supplies.
Hydrogeologist Joins Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research David Yoxtheimer, P.G., a Penn State alumnus with 18 years of hydrogeologic consulting experience, has joined the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research as an Extension Associate in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) effective July 15.
Penn State Offers New Rural Economic Development Clinic Penn State Law has established a Rural Economic Development Clinic to provide services and resources on legal issues encountered by agricultural businesses and rural communities. The clinic is stafafed by law students under the supervision of licensed attorneys.
Co-Director Murphy Honored with 2010 DEP Environmental Excellence Award Tom Murphty, co-director of the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research and Extension Educator, Lycoming County, was one of 16 Pennsylvania individuals, organizations and businesses honored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday (April 20) for outstanding efforts to protect and restore watersheds, reduce pollution and conserve energy, educate the public on environmental issues and revitalize communities.
March
Research Survey Form Complete this form for the research database of Marcellus expertise to be created for the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research web site (please download and complete form and return to marcellus@psu.edu).
Marcellus Matters Investigating the Human/Societal Impacts and Environmental Issues Related to Development of the Marcellus Shale, 3 p.m., Friday, March 26; 16 Ritenour. Opportunity for Penn State researchers to discuss research collaborations
