DEP ANNOUNCES CAUSE, CONSEQUENCES OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY WELL BLOWOUT

The Department of Environmental Protection announced the findings of an investigation into the causes of natural gas well blowout that occurred last month in Clearfield County. Secretary John Hanger announced the blowout resulted from poor practices by the well operator and was preventable. Secretary Hanger said the blowout, which occurred during the completion state and allowed natural gas and wastewater to escape from the well uncontrollably for 16 hours, “was caused by [operator] EOG Resources and its failure to have proper barriers in place. This incident was preventable and should never have occurred.” Check out the Press Conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.

PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL CALLS FOR STRONG OVERSIGHT OF “PENNSYLVANIA GAS RUSH”

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) released a new report entitled “Developing the Marcellus Shale,” which calls for stricter oversight and new regulations on the development of the natural gas field in Pennsylvania. The report, which was developed following a May policy conference on the Marcellus Shale sponsored by Duquesne University, includes a series of recommendations the Council believes are necessary to ensure the safe production

Continue reading Eye Opener – July 14, 2010