News & Press

News Clips 6/23/23

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 19:18:00 GMT

Weekly News Clips

Week of 6.19 – 6.23.23

National/International:

U.S. Pipeline Giant: Energy Transition Will Need More Natural Gas Infrastructure

U.S. natural gas infrastructure will have to expand so that gas can serve as a backup power generation fuel amid soaring wind and solar capacity in the energy transition, says the chief executive of the pipeline giant handling one-third of U.S. gas deliveries.

European gas prices are soaring again. Full tanks should avert a new energy crisis

Europe’s natural gas prices have shot up by more than half so far in June following months of declines, in a troubling reminder of last year’s energy crisis.

Republicans want to cut rural energy program they once loved

Republicans cut $500 million from the program to express disapproval over last year’s Inflation Reduction Act — and at one point considered doubling the reduction. Advocates were caught off guard.

House spending bill targets climate, gas stove rules

House Republicans are using their Financial Services-General Government spending bill to attack a Biden administration rule for publicly traded companies to disclose climate change-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions.

A majority of Americans are against banning gas stoves

A majority of 69% of Americans are against a ban on gas stoves, a poll conducted by the Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris.

State/Regional:

A Pa. community wins a reprieve on toxic fracking wastewater

Update on Grant Township – Pa General Energy plugging well; charter lawsuit Pa Supreme Court; and what this means for the state.

Secretive state climate talks stir discontent with Pennsylvania governor

Three weeks after he was elected governor of Pennsylvania last fall, Josh Shapiro held a press conference at the county courthouse in Montrose, Pa., to announce what he called a “historic” settlement with the oil and gas company Coterra Energy. Coterra would pay $16.29 million to build a public water line in Dimock, a small town where Coterra’s fracking operations were blamed for contaminating the water, and would plead no contest to a misdemeanor charge under the Clean Streams Law.

PUC Vice Chairman: During Winter Storm Elliot We Learned Natural Gas Can Be An Intermittent Generator Of Electricity Just Like Renewables

Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille told the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee Winter Storm Elliot has again demonstrated extreme weather can have a significant impact on electric grid operations in terms of reliability and resilience. Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware) noted the PUC’s testimony said natural gas provides 53% of elected generation in Pennsylvania in 2021, nuclear power 33%, coal just 12% and renewables and other sources the remainder.

Bill To Decrease Natural Gas Use Stalls

Legislation to hasten New York’s transition away from natural gas isn’t likely to become law this year — but that doesn’t mean the proposal won’t be back in 2024.

CNX to sell $125M in assets

Natural gas producer CNX Resources Corp. will sell about $125 million in oil and gas assets to an unspecified third party, the Canonsburg-based company disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

PUC Details $279 Million Distribution of Gas Drilling Impact Fees

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today posted detailed information about this year’s distribution of impact fees on natural gas producers – totaling $278,881,450 – on the PUC’s Act 13 website.

Ohio's largest oil producer partners with Muskingum Watershed to boost community and environment

The largest oil producer in Ohio has ignited a partnership in Harrison County that will support the community and environment. Encino Energy and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation will work on local legacy projects in the area.

Ohio natural gas and oil will continue to be needed for modern life: Rob Brundrett

Opinion Article

PIOGA eWeekly 12/19/2022

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:16:00 GMT

Click here to read the PIOGA eWeekly for 12/19/2022.

PIOGA eWeekly 12/12/2022

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:47:00 GMT

Click here to read the PIOGA eWeekly for 12/12/2022.

Weekly News Clips 4/11/22

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 13:36:00 GMT

04-04-2021

Pandemic accelerating shift toward electric vehicles
The U.S. transportation system could go through a major overhaul as thecountry comes out of the COVID-19 pandemic.President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan and a pair of studies, allreleased last week, point to a major shift over the next 10 to 15 years to...- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-04-2021

Natural gas driller to pay $1.9 million to resolve Clean Water Act lawsuit
Natural gas driller Chesapeake Appalachia agreed to pay a $1.9 millioncivil penalty and restore or mitigate damage caused when it dischargeddredge material into waterways and wetlands at 76 sites in five NortheastPennsylvania counties.The agreement resolves a lawsuit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...- Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

04-04-2021

Newsom California fracking ban vision exceeds original scope
When Gov. Gavin Newsom voiced his support last year for a ban on hydraulicfracturing by oil and gas companies, an effort long fought by the industryand trade unions alike, he gave Democrats a green light to send himlegislation to achieve that goal as they saw fit....- Los Angeles Times

More articles of interest:

PIOGA eWeekly 3/21/22

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 18:02:00 GMT

Click here to read the PIOGA eWeekly of March 21, 2022.

Weekly News Clips 6/7/21

Mon, 7 Jun 2021 00:20:22 GMT

06-04-2021

RGGI supporters say initiative could provide resources for when plants, mines close
An Indiana Borough councilman joined other supporters of the RegionalGreenhouse Gas Initiative in stressing that Gov. Tom Wolf’s effort tobring Pennsylvania into the multi-state combine could open up vastopportunities for businesses working on energy efficiency projects and...- Indiana Gazette

06-03-2021

DEP fines Olympus Energy $175,000 for Marcellus Shale site violation
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collected a $175,000fine from Olympus Energy for environmental issues at its Marcellus wellsite in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County.The fine was for erosion and sedimentation violations in 2019 when Olympus...- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

06-02-2021

Mariner East 2 pipeline in West Goshen develops small leak; evacuations not ordered
WEST GOSHEN—A small leak was detected along the active Sunoco MarinerEast 2 pipeline at the Boot Road pumping station near Route 202, Mondaynight.No evacuations or injuries were reported. Neighbors were left in the darkand were not notified.The following statement was issued by the Chester County Department of...- Phoenixville News

06-02-2021

Environmental groups appeal DEP approval for Renovo Energy Center project
HARRISBURG, PA – Clean Air Council, Penn Future, and the Center forBiological Diversity?have announced they filed an appeal of the air qualitypermit the Department of Environmental Protection issued recently for theRenovo Energy Center, a gas-fired power plant proposed for Renovo....- Lock Haven Record

06-02-2021

Water quality impact to be key consideration as Mountain Valley Pipeline hangs in limbo
The Mountain Valley Pipeline faces a consequential summer. So do thestreams and wetlands that the pipeline’s developers are seekingpermission to cross.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will decide by July 2 whether to grant ordeny additional time to West Virginia and Virginia environmental regulators...- Charleston Gazette-Mail

06-01-2021

Network of companies looking to move fracking wastewater in barges up and down Pittsburgh’s rivers
Millions of gallons of briny, toxic, wastewater fromshale gas drilling and fracking operations could soon be loadedonto barges and pushed down the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohiorivers.A loose network of river tank terminal and bargecompanies has floated plans to begin shipping wastewater...- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

06-01-2021

Colonial hack exposed government’s light-touch oversight of pipeline cybersecurity
Three times over the past year, Colonial Pipeline and the TransportationSecurity Administration discussed scheduling a voluntary, in-depthcybersecurity review — an assessment the federal agency began doing inlate 2018 to strengthen the digital defenses of oil and natural gas...- Washington Post

Additional articles of interest:

PIOGA eWeekly 6/1/21

Tue, 1 Jun 2021 18:21:22 GMT

June 1, 2021

House of Representatives approves Conventional Oil and Gas Act bill

By a vote of 113-88, the state House of Representatives on May 26 approved House Bill 1144, creating a separate regulatory program for conventional oil and gas operations. The bill has been referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Last session, Conventional and Gas Act legislation was approved by both chambers, only to be vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf. It's not clear how a bill would avoid the same fate this time around, particularly with Wolf's Department of Environmental Protection focused on updating Chapter 78 regulations governing conventional oil and gas activities.

Related article: Causer bill to address conventional oil and gas act earns House approval

Pennsylvania Treasurer Garrity warns banks against divesting from fossil fuel companies

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity joined 14 other state treasurers last week in calling on the Biden administration to stop encouraging banks to cut off capital to oil, gas and coal companies.

At the same time, the treasurers warned banks that they may withdraw billions of dollars they control from financial institutions that will not lend money to fossil fuel companies.

The Biden administration is taking a holistic approach to combatting climate change, including building climate considerations into economic policies and pushing lenders to use financing as a tool to shift the world away from climate-warming fuels.

In a Tuesday retort led by West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore, the trustees of hundreds of billions of dollars of state funds wrote that the coal, oil and natural gas industries "are vital to our nation's economy" and efforts to discourage banks from lending to them amounted to picking economic losers. The letter - also signed by the treasurers of Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky and other states - was sent to John Kerry, the president's special envoy for climate.

Continue reading >>

Keynote address at PIOGA's Spring Meeting

CNX's CEO, Nick DeIuliis, addressed PIOGA's Spring Meeting audience on May 19 with very powerful messages. He covered a range of topics regarding the natural gas industry in Appalachia and far beyond, and issued a challenge to our industry. It's a must watch! See it here.

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips >>

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PIOGA News

TODAY is the last day to register for the Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry, coming up on Monday, June 7, at Wanango Country Club outside Oil City. Don't miss this opportunity to spend a day or fun and networking with your industry colleagues at one of northwestern Pennsylvania's finest golf courses. Don't care to golf? You also have the option to join us just for the reception and dinner. Click here to register now!

Nominations are open for elections to the PIOGA Board of Directors. As explained in an email sent earlier today, PIOGA's Executive Committee is soliciting nominees to fill open board seats. Nominees will serve a three-year term, 2021-2024. Under to the bylaws any Full PIOGA Member (this excludes Associate, Royalty Owner, Student and Emeritus) is eligible for nomination and election. If you would like to nominate a candidate or self-nominate, email Danielle Boston (danielle@pioga.org) the name, contact information and, if possible, bio/resume of the candidate. The nominations deadline is June 30 at 5 p.m. It is recommended that each nominator review the General Board Expectations prior to making a nomination.

Read the latest issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events
and Webinars

Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry, June 7, Wanango Country Club, Reno. Today is the deadline to register!

The Great Gathering (GGVII), July 14, Washington Wild Things Park, Washington, PA. $30 registration discount for PIOGA members

Cigar dinner networking event, July 15, BURN by Rocky Patel, Pittsburgh

LDC Forum Northeast, July 19-21, Boston. $125 registration discount for PIOGA members

PIOGATech: Safety topic TBA, July 22

PIOGATech: Water & Waste Management, August 18, The Chadwick, Wexford

24th Annual Divot Diggers Golf Outing, August 19, Tam O'Shanter of PA, Hermitage

Find more upcoming PIOGA events here

Quick Links

PIOGA COVID-19 Information Page

News and Events

PIOGA Buyers Guide

PIOGA Members Only site

The PIOGA Press

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Member recruitment incentive program

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Follow PIOGA on social media for daily updates:

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Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

Weekly News Clips 6/1/21

Tue, 1 Jun 2021 18:10:18 GMT

06-01-2021

05-26-2021

Shapiro, lawmakers tout new batch of fracking oversight bills
State lawmakers on Tuesday pitched new legislation to tighten frackingindustry oversight and accountability standards.Pennsylvania Senate Democrats, joined by Attorney General Josh Shapiro,said the package of bills was drafted in response to last year’s grand...- Beaver County Times

05-26-2021

Causer bill to address conventional oil and gas act earns House approval
A bill that would distinguish the oversight needed for conventional andunconventional oil and gas industries has passed the state House ofRepresentatives.Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint, sponsored the bill, again, to continueadvocating for jobs in energy production in his district....- Bradford Era

05-26-2021

Treasurer Garrity warns banks against divesting from fossil fuel companies
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity joined 14 other state treasurers thisweek in calling on the Biden administration to stop encouraging banks tocut off capital to oil, gas and coal companies.At the same time, the treasurers warned banks that they may withdraw...- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

05-25-2021

Proposed gas facility in Marple brings community opposition
MARPLE — A gas reduction facility belongs in an industrial park oranother remote location, not in a neighborhood. That’s what members ofthe Maple Safety Coalition will tell Administrative Law Judge Emily DeFoeand the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission when the PUC holds a virtual...- Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Additional articles of interest:

PIOGA eWeekly 5/17/21

Mon, 17 May 2021 15:25:09 GMT

May 17, 2021

Pa. bill seeks to block towns from banning natural gas connections

(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Pennsylvania is joining a host of states in considering bills promoted by natural gas utilities that would prohibit local governments from restricting or banning utility hookups based on the type of energy they supply.

The bill is part of a nationwide effort by the natural gas industry to prevent more towns from following the example of communities in California, Washington and Massachusetts that passed local ordinances to restrict new gas connections to buildings as a tool for combating climate change.

There is no sign that any community in Pennsylvania is considering such a ban, officials representing Pennsylvania township, borough and city governments said at a hearing of the state Senate's local government and environmental resources committees Tuesday.

Both critics and supporters of the bill said municipalities are already prevented by other state laws from regulating utility service. But local government officials are concerned that the bill, Senate Bill 275, is so broad and ambiguous it could be read to limit local governments from using their existing power to incentivize energy efficiency upgrades, for example, or regulate outdoor wood-fired boilers.

Continue reading >>

PA updates mask rule to match CDC

Pennsylvania will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidance on masking, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam confirmed last week.

According to the CDC guidance updated Thursday, fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks or social distancing except for when on buses, trains, planes and other forms of public transport, or while in hospitals, doctors' offices and other health care settings.

The Commonwealth's existing mask order includes language directing to the CDC's guidance for fully vaccinated people, which allows for no face coverings. "That means that today's CDC guidelines automatically go into effect in Pennsylvania," the state Department of Health said.

The masking requirement will still be in place for unvaccinated individuals until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

"If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Thursday. "We have all longed for this moment, when we can get back to some sense of normalcy."

More information is posted on PIOGA's COVID-19 Response Page.

StoneX School of Futures 10-part virtual training

PIOGA member StoneX Group Inc. is introducing the StoneX School of Futures -- a comprehensive, pure education, 40-hour virtual course designed to provide both a solid theoretical foundation of the commodity markets and practical, hands-on training to help you diversify your trading portfolio to include the world of commodities. The 10-part virtual training will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from June 1 to July 1.

Led by a group of expert lecturers and savvy practitioners, each session will present a comprehensive introduction to the commodity markets, with each session covering a specific market concept, product complex and/or segment of the economy in an interactive, easy-to-understand way. With an emphasis on futures and options trading from a speculative perspective, the StoneX School of Futures course will give you an understanding of how to diversify your options beyond the traditional stock markets. You'll get the added practical futures trading experience with a specially designed trading simulation developed exclusively for the StoneX School of Futures.

For more information and a link to registration, click here.

RIP, Art Van Tyne

"Old timers" in the oil and gas industry in northwest Pennsylvania and western New York will remember Art Van Tyne for his work as a petroleum geologist and his involvement with the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York and other industry organizations. He was also a veteran of World War Two and very involved in his community.

Van Tyne, of Wellsville, New York, died Monday, May 10, at the age of 95. Services were held this past Saturday. You can read about his life here. Our condolences to Art's family.

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips >>

Thanks to our 2021 PIOGA Partners


Meeting Partners:


Golf Partners:

Committee Partner:

Engineer Partners:

Driller Partners:

Learn how to become a 2021 PIOGA Partner

PIOGA News

Even if you missed the registration deadline you can still attend! We are accepting onsite registration at the PIOGA Spring Meeting & Exhibition this Wednesday, May 19, at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with the conference kicking off at 9. Onsite registration is $425 for PIOGA members and $500 for nonmembers.

The Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry is coming up on Monday, June 7 at Wanango Country Club outside Oil City, and registration is now open. Come spend a day or fun and networking with your industry colleagues at one of northwestern Pennsylvania's finest golf courses. Click here for information, including sponsorship opportunities.

Read the May issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events
and Webinars

Spring Meeting & Exhibition, May 19, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. Onsite registration is available.

Entering the Shale Energy Supply Chain, May 25, ShalePOWER webinar or attend in person in St. Clairsville, OH

Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry, June 7, Wanango Country Club, Reno

The Great Gathering (GGVII), July 14, Washington Wild Things Park, Washington, PA. $30 registration discount for PIOGA members

Cigar dinner networking event, July 15

LDC Forum Northeast, July 19-21, Boston. $125 registration discount for PIOGA members

PIOGATech: Safety topic TBA, July 22

PIOGATech: Water & Waste Management, August 18, venue TBA

24th Annual Divot Diggers Golf Outing, August 19, Tam O'Shanter of PA, Hermitage

Find more upcoming PIOGA events here

Quick Links

PIOGA COVID-19 Information Page

News and Events

PIOGA Buyers Guide

PIOGA Members Only site

The PIOGA Press

Career Center

Member recruitment incentive program

PIOGA Partners Program

Follow PIOGA on social media for daily updates:

Post an opening or look for a career opportunity

Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

Weekly News Clips 11/16/20

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 18:40:12 GMT

11-16-2020

With climate challenges looming, Seth Shapiro faces a tough balancing act at Philadelphia’s gas utility
Philadelphia Gas Works got its start in 1836 manufacturing gas for publicstreet lights. The production of gas from coal was a foul business, but onecould argue that it was an environmental trade-off since fossil fuelseventually displaced whale oil in the lighting market. Whales were spared...- Philadelphia Inquirer

11-16-2020

State Climate Action Unlikely After Democrats Fail to Flip Statehouses
Amid predictions of a November Democratic election sweep, climate leadersin states including North Carolina, Arizona and Pennsylvania were hopefulthey could finally pass legislation to bolster clean energy, cut emissionsand limit fossil fuel development.But while President-elect Joe Biden found success at the top of the ticket,...- Stateline.org

11-15-2020

Regulators order Revolution Pipeline owners to further stabilize slopes
Pennsylvania.s Department of Environmental Protection issued an order thisweek preventing ETC Northeast Pipeline, a subsidiary of Dallas-based EnergyTransfer, from putting any liquid in areas of the line running throughunstable hillsides or steep slopes. Regulators identified 26 sections of...- Beaver County Times

11-12-2020

How One Firm Drove Influence Campaigns Nationwide for Big Oil
In early 2017, the Texans for Natural Gas website went live to urge votersto .thank a roughneck. and support fracking. Around the same time, theArctic Energy Center ramped up its advocacy for drilling in Alaskan watersand in a vast Arctic wildlife refuge. The next year, the Main Street...- New York Times

11-11-2020

Renewable Power Grows Strongly, Despite the Pandemic
The energy industry has experienced its worst year in decades because ofthe pandemic, but clean sources for generating electricity have stillmanaged to grow, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday.Consumption of electricity generated by wind, solar and hydroelectric...- New York Times

11-10-2020

Federal court grants stay of Mountain Valley Pipeline waterbody construction
The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s legal limbo continued Monday as a panelof federal judges granted a stay of construction of the pipeline acrossabout 1,000 waterbodies in West Virginia and Virginia.The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the stay following oral...- Charleston Gazette-Mail

11-09-2020

DEP accepting public comments for greenhouse gas initiative
The next round of public comment regarding Pennsylvania’s entry intothe Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has begun.The state Department of Environmental Protection said its EnvironmentalQuality Board began accepting public comments this past weekend and will...- Indiana Gazette

Also:

Pittsburgh Mayor Supports ‘Marshall Plan’ For Transition From Fossil Fuels To Greener Energy In Appalachia

PIOGA eWeekly 7/6/20

Mon, 6 Jul 2020 18:09:52 GMT

July 6, 2020

Developers cancel long-delayed, $8B Atlantic Coast Pipeline

(Associated Press) The developers of the long-delayed, $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline announced the cancellation of the multi-state natural gas project Sunday, citing uncertainties about costs, permitting and litigation.

Despite a victory last month at the United States Supreme Court over a critical permit, Dominion Energy and Duke Energy said in a news release that "recent developments have created an unacceptable layer of uncertainty and anticipated delays" for the 600-mile (965-kilometer) project designed to cross West Virginia and Virginia into North Carolina.

The companies said a recent pair of court rulings that have thrown into question a permitting program used around the nation to approve oil and gas pipelines and other utility work through wetlands and streams presented "new and serious challenges."

"This new information and litigation risk, among other continuing execution risks, make the project too uncertain to justify investing more shareholder capital," the news release said.

Continue reading >>

Also see: Berkshire Hathaway Energy to Acquire Dominion Energy Gas Transmission and Storage Business

PIOGA response to attorney general's report

In last Monday's eWeekly, we told you about the release of a report by Pennsylvania's attorney general that makes a wide range of allegations against the state departments of Environmental Protection and Health about allegedly lax management of the unconventional natural gas industry.

PIOGA has issued a detailed response to the main conclusions of the politically motivated report. The post in the News section of our website also includes links to a rebuttal by Energy In Depth and a very comprehensive defense of DEP's oil and gas program by former department Secretary Mike Krancer.

PIOGA launches video series

PIOGA is pleased to announce our new video series called PIOGA Points to Ponder. Watch Episode 1 as our President & Executive Director, Dan Weaver, talks about pipelines - history, facts/data about the crucial role pipelines play in moving energy, safety and new innovations.

This and future episodes will be posted on PIOGA's LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips >>

Thanks to our 2020 PIOGA Partners

Keystone Partners:


Executive Partners:


Meeting Partners:



Golf Partners:


Committee Partner:

Engineer Partners:

Learn how to become a PIOGA Partner

PIOGA News

Transportation safety training goes virtual. The PIOGATech refresher on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations that was postponed earlier in the year is now on for July 21 and will take place via webinar. Organized by the PIOGA Safety Committee, the two-hour presentation will cover the drug and alcohol clearinghouse, new hours-of-service rules, the Crash Preventability Determination Program and end with Q&A. Continuing education credits are available. Find out more here and register by July 17.

Register now to attend, sponsor or exhibit at our water and waste management PIOGATech. The annual Water and Waste Management Training hosted by the PIOGA Environmental Committee is the best-attended PIOGATech of the year, and if you want to ensure your spot at the August 19 event in Wexford, you can act now. Our event page has all the details. Presenter opportunities are still available too.

Divot Diggers #23. If you're attending the August 19 PIOGATech in Wexford, why not also take in the 23rd Annual Divot Diggers Golf Outing the very next day?

UGI Save Smart Program. UGI Gas wants PIOGA members to know about an incentive program for commercial customers that can help pay for energy efficiency improvements for new and existing buildings. If your business is served by UGI, learn more about the program here.

Read the latest issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events

PIOGA Clay Shoot Networking Event, July 9, Promise Land Sporting Clays, Freeport. Registration is closed.

PIOGATech: Water & Waste Management, August 19, The Chadwick, Wexford

23rd Annual PIOGA Divot Diggers Golf Outing, August 20, Tam O'Shanter of PA Golf Course, Hermitage

PIOGA Fall Conference, Technology Showcase and Sports Outing, September 22-24, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion

Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry, October 8, Wanango Country Club, Reno

Find all PIOGA events here.

Webinars

Energy Outlook Analysis: Navigating Through Current Market Conditions, July 6-10, INTL FCStone Financial, Inc. Summary: This year we've seen incredible volatility in the markets due to geopolitical issues, global unrest and environmental concerns among other issues. To help manage significant uncertainty, INTL FCStone Financial Inc. will conduct a free series of market outlook virtual events to address specific concerns for the crude oil, distillate, gasoline, NGLs and natural gas markets.

PIOGATech: Federal Transportation Safety Regulations Refresher,

July 21

Quick Links

PIOGA COVID-19 Information Page

News and Events

PIOGA Buyers Guide

PIOGA Members Only site

The PIOGA Press

Career Center

Member recruitment incentive program

PIOGA Partners Program

Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

PIOGA eWeekly 3/30/20

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 19:30:39 GMT

March 30, 2020

PIOGA: Helping the industry to continue operating safely during the COVID-19 crisis

As all levels of government take steps to contain the coronavirus, PIOGA is helping keep members informed so that they can safely continue the essential job of providing crude oil and natural gas for Pennsylvania and beyond. We are continually updating the PIOGA COVID-19 Response Page of our website with information and resources aimed first at the oil and gas industry and secondly at small and midsize businesses.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announcement below about the agency's new enforcement discretion policy is among the most recent updates. Other items added over the past week include:

Information about new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act
What's happening with Pennsylvania's state agencies
Identifying your employees as workers in a life-sustaining business
Federal government energy-related waivers
Pennsylvania Governor: Oil & Natural Gas Industry is a "Life-Sustaining Business"
Department of Labor information about the new paid leave act (Families First Coronavirus Response Act)
Links to a variety of state, federal and industry resources

We encourage you to visit this page daily. PIOGA also wants you to know that we stand ready to assist members with any issues related to continuing your operations at this time. Please see Dan Weaver's contact information at right to discuss any such matters.

EPA announces enforcement discretion policy for COVID-19 pandemic

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on March 26 announced a temporary policy regarding its enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy applies to civil violations during the COVID-19 outbreak. The policy addresses different categories of noncompliance differently. For example, under the policy EPA does not expect to seek penalties for noncompliance with routine monitoring and reporting obligations that are the result of the COVID-19 pandemic but does expect operators of public water systems to continue to ensure the safety of our drinking water supplies. The policy also describes the steps that regulated facilities should take to qualify for enforcement discretion.

The temporary policy makes it clear that EPA expects regulated facilities to comply with regulatory requirements, where reasonably practicable, and to return to compliance as quickly as possible. To be eligible for enforcement discretion, the policy also requires facilities to document decisions made to prevent or mitigate noncompliance and demonstrate how the noncompliance was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy does not provide leniency for intentional criminal violations of law. The policy does not apply to activities that are carried out under Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action enforcement instruments.

EPA's policy will apply retroactively beginning on March 13, 2020. EPA will assess the continued need for and scope of this temporary policy on a regular basis and will update it if EPA determines modifications are necessary. In order to provide fair and sufficient notice to the public, EPA will post a notification on the page linked below at least 7 days prior to terminating this temporary policy.

Click here for the EPA Policy on Enforcement during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tax credit legislation vetoed

In the end, Governor Tom Wolf did what he said he was going to do, on Friday vetoing legislation establishing a tax credit for petrochemical facilities using Pennsylvania-produced natural gas. House Bill 1100 had the strong support of the building trades and passed both chambers of the legislature by large majorities.

HB 1100 would have provided a tax credit to companies that used Pennsylvania natural gas to create fertilizer or petrochemicals at Pennsylvania-based plants. The legislation would have required companies to make a $450 million investment in the plant and hire at least 800 full-time workers across the construction and operational phases of the plant's life in order to receive a tax credit, which they would have been able to apply against up to 20 percent of their tax liability.

The bill would require that companies pay the prevailing wage to workers that build, maintain and repair the facility. However, Wolf wrote in his veto message that the bill lacks enforcement safeguards to ensure that workers are paid the prevailing wage.

The governor also cited the COVID-19 crisis as a reason to axe the legislation. "Rather than enacting this bill, which gives a significant tax credit for energy and fertilizer manufacturing projects, we need to work together in a bipartisan manner to promote job creation and to enact financial stimulus packages for the benefit of Pennsylvanians who are hurting as they struggle with the substantial economic fallout of COVID-19," Wolf said.

According to one published report, legislative leaders intend to work to convince their colleagues to override Wolf's veto - something they have until the end of November to accomplish.

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips >>

Thanks to our 2020 PIOGA Partners

Keystone Partners:


Executive Partners:


Meeting Partners:



Golf Partners:


Committee Partner:

Engineer Partners:

Learn how to become a PIOGA Partner

PIOGA News

PIOGA is working remotely, but we continue to work for our members! Our office is closed in compliance with directives to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, staff members are working from home to continue to provide all regular association services, as well as to help with industry response to the coronavirus pandemic. Please contact us via email or any of the phone numbers below:

Dan Weaver
724-814-7270

dan@pioga.org

Kevin Moody
717-525-1556
kevin@pioga.org

Joyce Turkaly
724-900-0028
joyce@pioga.org

Matt Benson
814-778-2291
matt@pioga.org

Debbie Oyler
debbie@pioga.org

Danielle Boston
danielle@pioga.org

Deana McMahan

deana@pioga.org

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Read the latest issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events

PIOGA Clay Shoot Networking Event, May 7, Promised Land Sporting Clays, Freeport

MSC Dissolved Gas Study Seminar, May 28, Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe

Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry, June 1, Wanango Country Club, Reno

USACE and PADEP Wetland and Stream Permit Training, June 25, Hershey Lodge, Hershey

PIOGATech: Federal Transportation Safety Regulations Refresher, July 21, The Chadwick, Wexford. Rescheduled from March 17

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Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

PIOGA eWeekly 3/16/20

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:06:32 GMT

March 16, 2020

PIOGA Spring Meeting postponed

Recent local and national developments in the efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus have forced the association to postpone this spring's conference, which was scheduled for April 1 at Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended over the weekend that gatherings of more than 50 people be cancelled, and the City of Pittsburgh followed by announcing this morning that such gatherings are banned, with no mention of an end date. As you may also know, Gov. Tom Wolf has announced a halt to dine-in service at restaurants and bars in Allegheny County, and the county is encouraging non-essential businesses to close. These announcements leave us with no choice but to postpone the conference.

PIOGA was excited about our lineup of speakers and panelists at this meeting, and plans to add those speakers to the agenda of our upcoming conference in the fall, essentially combining the content of the two meetings.

If you already registered to attend, sponsor or exhibit, we will CREDIT your account for our future event. However, if you prefer a REFUND, we ask you to email Debbie Oyler at debbie@pioga.org. We also ask for your patience as we complete that process.

Thank you for understanding. We encourage you to be safe as the battle against the coronavirus pandemic continues.

OSHA COVID-19 workplace guidelines

The following comes from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration:

Measures for protecting workers from exposure to, and infection with, the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 depend on the type of work being performed and exposure risk, including potential for interaction with infectious people and contamination of the work environment. Employers should adapt infection control strategies based on a thorough hazard assessment, using appropriate combinations of engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent worker exposures. Some OSHA standards that apply to preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19 also require employers to train workers on elements of infection prevention, including PPE.

OSHA has developed this interim guidance to help prevent worker exposure to COVID-19.

Regardless of specific exposure risks, following good hand hygiene practices can help workers stay healthy year round.

For all workers, regardless of specific exposure risks, it is always a good practice to:

Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Continue reading >>

Analyst: Oil price war might actually be good for Pennsylvania shale industry

(StateImpact Pennsylvania) Saudi Arabia and Russia are in the midst of a price war against one another that is also meant to hurt American oil companies, and analysts say it could hurt American shale companies that produce oil.

But it might not actually hurt the shale gas industry in Pennsylvania, according to one analyst. That's because the companies that drill for oil in places like Texas and North Dakota also extract natural gas - mostly as a byproduct - and if they stop drilling for oil, their natural gas output will fall, too.

"The ramifications of that is ... oil production will start to decline. The associated gas that comes with it will start to decline" too, said Sam Andrus, executive director of North American natural gas, for the IHS Markit.

That could increase demand from the gas-rich Utica and Marcellus shale region in Pennsylvania, said Anne Robba, head of Americas gas & power for S&P Global Platts.

"If we do lose that kind of (natural gas) volume from crude producers, (the market) is going to turn to Marcellus producers in Pennsylvania to make up" for the loss in production, Robba said. "Because they're able to ramp up volumes fairly quickly to meet demand."

Prices for natural gas, at some of their lowest levels since the 1970s, have actually increased this week, by about 10 percent since Monday, Robba said.

Continue reading >>

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips >>

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PIOGA News

Due to travel restrictions imposed on our presenters, we have been forced to postpone the March 17, Transportation Safety Regulations Compliance PIOGATech. We are looking to reschedule this training for July 21 and will provide updates as soon as they are available. Registrants will receive a refund, and we sincerely apologize for this situation. If you have a question about the event, please contact Deana McMahan at deana@pioga.org.

Great Gathering postponed. In response to the escalating coronavirus situation, the Pittsburgh Business Exchange has postponed the 7th Annual Great Gathering Event (GGVII) until July 15. Please note that all tickets already purchased will be honored for the July 15 date if they have already registered for the March 18 event.

Read the March issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events

PIOGA 2020 Spring Meeting, April 1, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. Postponed

MSC Air Quality Compliance, Reporting and Testing Training, April 16, The Penn Stater, State College

PIOGA Clay Shoot Networking Event, May 2, Promised Land Sporting Clays, Freeport

MSC Dissolved Gas Study Seminar, May 28, Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe

Ted Cranmer Memorial Golf Outing and Steak Fry, June 1, Wanango Country Club, Reno

USACE and PADEP Wetland and Stream Permit Training, June 25, Hershey Lodge, Hershey

Find all PIOGA events here.

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Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

Weekly News Clips 4/7/19

Sun, 7 Apr 2019 19:08:24 GMT

04-07-2019 Wild trout, a canary in the coal mine of water conservation
Wild trout are clearly one of Pennsylvania’s greatest conservationsuccess stories. In the fifth most-populated American state -- recognizedworldwide for its industry, once notorious for its pollution -- wild troutare making a dramatic comeback.The true value of the delicate fish is appreciated beyond angler circles....- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-07-2019 Wolf supports studying petition to cap greenhouse gases
Gov. Tom Wolf supports allowing his administration to formally study apetition that calls for Pennsylvania to impose a cap-and-trade program tomake Pennsylvania carbon neutral by 2052...- AP

04-05-2019 Report: Pennsylvania largest net exporter of electricity in U.S.
Pennsylvania was the largest net exporter of electricity in the UnitedStates from 2013-17, according to the U.S. Energy InformationAdministration.California was the largest net importer during the same time period.The EIA said Pennsylvania sent an annual average of 59 million megawatt...- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-05-2019 Mariner East: Sunoco proposes $200K fine, ‘remaining life’ study of leaky 88-year-old pipeline
Sunoco Pipeline LP would pay a $200,000 fine and conduct a “remaininglife study” to determine the forecasted retirement age of its88-year-old Mariner East 1 pipeline to settle a complaint with stateregulators stemming from a 2017 leak of natural gas liquids in Berks...- Philadelphia Inquirer

04-05-2019 State DEP investigating Plum well water contamination
State Department of Environmental Protection officials are investigatingcomplaints of well water contamination in Plum.The department received two complaints in August, a few months after thedrilling for natural gas at Monroeville-based Huntley & Huntley Energy...- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-04-2019 Pa.'s $500M nuclear rescue bill: A giveaway to one industry, or a clean-energy salvation?
A new version of Pennsylvania’s contentious nuclear rescue proposalwould steer as much as $541 million of ratepayer subsidies annually toclean-energy power producers, though in a nod to environmentalists, not allof it would go to nuclear generators.State Sen. Ryan P. Aument, (R., Lancaster), who has led a two-year...- Philadelphia Inquirer

04-04-2019 Small Indiana County community assessed legal fees in injection well dispute
A rural Indiana County township that fought a gas company’s plan to putan injection well within its boundaries has lost its fight in court infederal court and must pay the gas company’s legal fees.StateImpactPA reports a federal judge has ordered Grant Township, a small...- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-03-2019 Democrat Pam Iovino wins Pa. Senate seat
The last time Pam Iovino was subject to a high-stakes vote tally, it was2004 and she was unanimously confirmed to lead the Department of VeteransAffairs congressional and legislative affairs offices.On Tuesday, the Democrat and Navy veteran was elected to the Pennsylvania...- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-03-2019 Shell leaves trade group over climate change
Royal Dutch Shell will not renew its membership in a large lobbyingorganization because of a disagreement about climate issues.The company announced Tuesday it will not renew its annual membership withthe American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers organization, which is...- Beaver County Times

04-03-2019 Marcellus opportunity booming
Three years ago when Ben Whitaker graduated from Valley View High School,he wasn’t quite sure about his future, but knew he would like it to beoutdoors.Today as a lead well tender for Cabot Oil & Gas, he likes the opportunitiesplaced before him.A graduate of a 2-year program in Lackawanna College’s School of...- Tunkhannock The New Age Examiner

04-03-2019 Exelon spent millions in lobbying after announcing TMI closure
Exelon Corp. nearly tripled its lobbying expenditures in Pennsylvaniabetween 2016 and 2018 — and it will soon see if that paid off ashearings about subsidizing nuclear energy begin next week.The struggling nuclear energy industry has attempted to seize on the...- York Dispatch

04-03-2019 Local lawmakers, municipal leaders push for renewable energy
WEST WHITELAND—Local lawmakers and municipal leaders found out what itwill take to transition to 100 percent renewable energy at PennEnvironmentand Sierra Club’s Chester County Ready for 100 program in WestWhiteland.More than 150 Chester County residents explored clean energy and energy...- West Chester Daily Local News

PIOGA eWeekly 10/8/18

Mon, 8 Oct 2018 18:43:58 GMT

October 8, 2018

Haven't registered for the Oktoberfest? The deadline is today!

Today is the last day to register for the October 17-18 PIOGA Oktoberfest, Conference and Annual Meeting at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, as well as to sign on as a sponsor or exhibitor. Don't miss this opportunity to attend our great new fall event! Click here to register now.

Wednesday, the 17th will feature an outstanding conference with the theme, "2019: Challenges, Changes and Opportunities." Check out the lineup of speakers and their presentations here. Afterward, stay for the Oktoberfest-themed networking reception, followed by the return of the always-popular Casino Night.

Thursday the 18th kicks off with the Annual Membership Meeting (see below), followed by a clay shoot on the excellent Seven Springs sporting clays course. We've structured things so you can easily take in just one day or both, and we do hope you'll join us there!

Annual Membership Meeting

PIOGA's Annual Membership Meeting will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 18, in the Snowflake Room at Seven Springs. In addition to hearing reports from PIOGA leaders and committee chairs, you will also have the opportunity to vote on an important proposed bylaws change regarding the makeup of the Board of Directors. There is no cost to participate in the meeting, but we do ask that you RSVP by this Wednesday, October 10.

Finally, don't forget that this Friday, October 12, is the deadline to return your ballot for PIOGA Board of Directors voting. Board members who are elected will begin their three-year terms at the Annual Meeting.

Attention, conventional producers: Peoples retainage rates update

In the Peoples companies' 2018 Section 1307(f), or "purchased gas costs" (PGC), proceedings, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved - over PIOGA's vigorous, well-grounded objections - minimum retainage rates on producers' deliveries of natural gas from conventional wells of 2 percent for the Peoples Natural Gas Company-Peoples Division system and 2.9 percent for the Peoples Gas (formerly Peoples TWP) system, effective October 1, 2018.

The retainage rate for the Peoples-Equitable Division per PIOGA's Confidential Rate AGS Agreement, also effective October 1, has been reduced from the prior year and is available upon request from Dan Weaver (dan@pioga.org, 724-933-7306, ext. 30), Kevin Moody (kevin@pioga.org, 717-234-8525) or Debbie Oyler (debbie@pioga.org, 724-933-7306, ext. 22).

ESCGP-3 published; DEP offers training

The Department of Environmental Protection announced in the October 6 Pennsylvania Bulletin the availability of the final version of the Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit-3 (ESCGP-3) for earth disturbances related to oil and gas activities. The permit and associated documents can be found here in DEP's eLibrary.

According to the Pennsylvania Bulletin notice, DEP will continue to accept applications for ESCGP-2 until October 15. The department must act on all Notices of Intent (NOI) submitted for coverage under ESCGP-2 by December 29. Additionally, any project that was authorized for coverage under ESCGP-2 prior to this date will have coverage administratively extended under the terms and conditions of ESCGP-2 for the remainder of the period of the original coverage.

Additionally, when warranted due to project characteristics, including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-regulated pipelines, DEP will publish notice of receipt of NOI for coverage in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and provide a public comment period. The Department will publish notice of every approval of coverage under the ESCGP-3 in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

ESCGP-3 training
DEP scheduled two trainings for the updated permit. The registration deadline for the October 10 training in Pittsburgh was last Friday. The second training opportunity is October 18 at the Ramada Inn State College (1450 S. Atherton St.) There is no cost for the training, but participants must register by Friday, October 12.

Download the registration form here and return the completed form by email to RA-epOilandGas@pa.gov. An agenda for the training can be downloaded here.

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips

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Golf Partner:

Committee Partner:

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Learn how to become a PIOGA Partner

PIOGA News

Marcellus to Manufacturing Conference. Join us November 9 at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh

for an interactive conference combining knowledge and experience to help attendees develop long-term strategies to capitalize on the Marcellus phenomenon that will ensure attractive energy costs for industrial and commercial concerns for decades to come. The morning session focuses on commodity-driven considerations: market dynamics, economic, world view and the advantages of locating in the Appalachian Basin. The second half of the day will examine the criteria for state financial incentives, resources at the economic development level, project cases studies and lessons learned from from companies involved with project completion. Visit the event page for more.

PIOGA Centennial
Commemorative knife. As part of PIOGA's celebration of 100 years of working together on behalf of Pennsylvania's crude oil and natural gas industry, we commissioned a commemorative knife from W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. The limited edition, collector quality knife and wooden storage box feature PIOGA's 100th Anniversary logo. Click here to learn how to get yours before they're gone.

Read the latest issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events

PIOGA Oktoberfest, Conference and Annual Meeting, October 17-18, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion. Registration closes today!

Addressing Orphan and Abandoned Wells from a Regulatory and Industry Perspective, October 23, Penn State Extension webinar

PIOGATech: Job Safety Analysis, November 1, PIOGA offices, Wexford

PIOGA's Marcellus to Manufacturing, November 8-9, Energy Innovation Center, Pittsburgh

PIOGA Annual Oil & Gas Tax and Accounting Seminar, November 15, RLA Learning and Conference Center, Cranberry Township

Save the date:

PIOGATech: Air Quality Compliance Update, December 18, The Chadwick, Wexford

PIOGA Holiday Mixer, December 18, The Chadwick, Wexford

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New: Member recruitment incentive program

Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

PIOGA eWeekly 6/18/18

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 19:32:53 GMT

June 18, 2018

Happening in Harrisburg

PIOGA's latest billboard (shown above) is at westbound mile 143 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and delivers a strong message about a natural gas severance tax. We're pleased to report that indications are the tax advocated by Governor Wolf is off the table as part the current state budget negotiations (although, as they say, it's not over until it's over).

That wasn't the only interesting news out of Harrisburg last week. Another development was Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee passage on Tuesday of Senate Bill 1189, a measure that would require compensation for mineral owners if the Delaware River Basin Commission adopts regulations banning unconventional natural gas development within the basin. Additionally, the committee did not act as scheduled on House Bill 2154, which would place conventional oil and gas operations under their own statute separate from Act 13 of 2012. PIOGA and other advocates for the legislation are continuing to work on the bill so that its passage can be assured.

Tomorrow, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to take up HB 2304 implementing permitting reforms proposed in a DEP white paper in January, including permitting of multiple wells on one pad with one application, allowing adjustments to the well bore location by up to 50 feet without permit amendments and eliminating the requirement a well be constructed in one year and replace it with a three-year term.

An invitation to participate in The Environmental Partnership

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has launched a new collaborative initiative for producers and midstream operators aimed at voluntarily reducing air emissions. Called The Environmental Partnership, the program was

was founded on three pillars: Taking Action, Learning and Collaborating.Participant companies will initially agree to "take action" by implementing one or more of the three performance program areas aimed at reducing air emissions, related to LDAR, high-bleed pneumatic controllers and liquids unloading operations.

Workshops and conferences will also be held to learn from other operators' experiences and successes, and collaborate by sharing the latest science, technology and data. A workshop for the week of July 23 is being planned for Canonsburg.

There is no cost to participate, and more than 35 companies nationwide have signed on so far. PIOGA supports the initiative and we encourage producers and midstream companies to learn more about the Partnership to determine if it something you can incorporate into your operations. Click on the link above to find out more, or you can contact Matthew Todd, Program Director, at 202-682-8319 or toddm@theenvironmentalpartnership.org.

PIOGA will provide more information about the Canonsburg workshop when available. The event will be free to attend.

Penn State study: Bradford County water quality improves; impacts rare near shale gas wells

A new Penn State study of groundwater in a rural Pennsylvania county shows only rare instances of possible gas contamination amid an overall trend of improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development.

By investigating data from gas companies, the state, and the U.S. Geological Survey, researchers saw possible contamination by natural gas near no more than seven out of 1,385 shale wells studied in heavily drilled Bradford County. The rest of the water chemistry data highlighted that groundwater had either improved or remained level from samples taken prior to the 1990s.

"The most interesting thing we discovered was the groundwater chemistry in one of the areas most heavily developed for shale gas - an area with 1400 new gas wells - does not appear to be getting worse with time, and may even be getting better," said Susan Brantley, director of Penn State's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and distinguished professor of geosciences. "But using data analytics we could also see rare sites that warrant more investigation for possible gas anomalies."

Continue reading >>

Weekly News Clips

Articles of interest to Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry from publications around the region over the past week. Here are some highlights:

See all of the clips

Thanks to our 2018 PIOGA Partners


Meeting Partners:



Golf Partner:

Committee Partner:

Engineer Level Partner:

Learn how to become a 2018 PIOGA Partner

PIOGA News

PIOGA centennial celebration: All the details! We hope you'll join us on Wednesday, July 18, to celebrate 100 years of serving Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry. The festivities occur at Drake Well Museum and Park in Titusville and kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a short ceremony with special guests, followed by a barbecue lunch and free tours of the museum. Things should wrap up by 3 p.m. We also invite you to take part the evening before in a reception and excursion train ride on the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad as a fundraiser for PIOGA's political action committee. Complete details and registration are available here.

Read the June issue of The PIOGA Press

Upcoming Events

Biomethanation: A Unique and Sustainable Approach to Renewable Natural Gas, June 28, Penn State Extension webinar

PIOGA Political Action Committee excursion train ride and reception, July 17, Titusville

PIOGA's 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 18, Drake Well Museum and Park, Titusville

PIOGATech: Threatened & Endangered Species and Erosion & Sedimentation training, July 26, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Pittsburgh. Watch for details soon!

PIOGA's 21st Annual Divot Diggers Golf Outing, August 23, Tam O'Shanter Golf Club, Hermitage

PIOGA Oktoberfest, Conference and Annual Meeting, October 17-18, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion

Quick Links

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New: Member recruitment incentive program

Pennsylvania: The Keystone to America's Energy Future^®

Member incentive program: Recruit a new member, get rewarded!

Mon, 14 May 2018 14:56:11 GMT

Questions? Want to participate?

Contact Robert H. Beatty, Jr., Membership Committee Chair, at rhbeatty@gmail.com or 814-590-4498, or Debbie Oyler, Director of Member Services, at debbie@pioga.org or 724-933-7306 ext. 22.

Southwestern Energy "rule of capture" case application for rehearing documents

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 19:17:16 GMT

An April 2, 2018, decision by the Pennsylvania Superior Court in the case Briggs v. Southwestern Energy Production called into question the longstanding principle of rule of capture when it comes to hydraulic fracturing. An article about the decision can be found in the April 2018 issue of The PIOGA Press (page 12).

The outcome of the case is of utmost interest to our industry. Southwestern has requested a rehearing before the full Superior Court, and PIOGA is among the groups filing amicus briefs in support of the Southwestern application. You can download rehearing and amicus filings here.

What has PIOGA done for you? We'd like to tell you!

Fri, 2 Dec 2016 21:04:26 GMT

That’s why we have put together a packet of material that shows that PIOGA membership is not just a great value, but also an important tool to help you succeed in today’s fast-changing world of energy production and usage. The primary contact from each PIOGA member company has been mailed this packet, and it is also available for download using the link below.

MSC Chapter 78a Commonwealth Court Injunction Implementation Advisory

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:35:41 GMT

The Marcellus Shale Coalition has developed an advisory for its members to clarify the injunction issued by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania on November 8, 2016, regarding the Chapter 78a regulations being challenged by the MSC, and has authorized PIOGA to provide the advisory to our members. The status of the injunction can change if DEP appeals the injunction, and the MSC will update this advisory if any changes occur.

Please consult with your own counsel if you have specific questions about your company's operations relating to the injunction.

Shell petrochemical plant opportunities

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 13:07:46 GMT

Interested in finding out how your company might become involved in Shell's upcoming ethane cracker plant in Beaver County? Follow this link to a form where you can submit your information for consideration.