Environmental Issues
Drilling and pipelines have the very real potential of affecting water quality and quantity, forest fragmentation, wildlife, viewsheds, land use, and other important factors.
Several major agencies have regulatory authority over Marcellus natural gas, and thus can help influence what occurs and its impacts at the local, regional, and state level.
Environmental Presentations
Above the Marcellus Shale - Minimizing Impacts to Forests and Wildlife
3-18-09 webinar. Margaret Brittingham, Professor of Wildlife Resources and Extension Wildlife Specialist
Community Environmental Considerations
Rebecca Dunlap
Gas Well Drilling and Water Resources
Bryan Swistock VTC 1-8-09
Natural Gas Development and Impacts on Agriculture
Mark Madden and Gary Sheppard, Penn State Extension Educators
Natural Gas Development's Impact on Forestlands
Ellen Shultzabarger, Chief, Forest Resource Planning, Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources and Tony Quadro, Forester and Asst. District Manager, Westmoreland Conservation District
Natural Resources Above the Shale
Video: Margaret Brittingham discusses the value of the natural resources that sit above the Marcellus Shale, and the proactive measures that can minimize the risks involved.
Questions and Comments from the Webinar
Karen Johnson's Answers to questions raised at 2-18-10 Webinar. Underground Injection Wells as an Option for Disposal of Shale Gas Wastewaters: Policies and Practicality.
Soft Footprints - Reducing the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities
Webinar February 23, 2010 with Patrick O'Dell Petroleum Engineer of the National Park Service shares steps the Park Service can take in reducing the effects of drilling in the parks
Treatment/Disposal Options for Wastewaters from Shale Gas Drilling
Webinar: 10-28-09. Bryan Swistock, Water Resources Specialist, School of Forest Resources, Penn State University
Underground Injection Wells as an Option
2-18-10 Webinar. Underground Injection Wells as an Option for Disposal of Shale Gas Wastewaters: Policies and Practicality. Karen D. Johnson, Chief, Ground Water & Enforcement Branch, US EPA, Region 3, Philadelphia
Waste Water Disposal Option
2-18-10 Webinar. Underground Injection Wells as an Option for Disposal of Shale Gas Wastewaters: Policies and Practicality. Karen D. Johnson, Chief, Ground Water & Enforcement Branch, US EPA, Region 3, Philadelphia
Wastewater Issues and Technologies
Bryan Swistock
Water Issues Surrounding Natural Gas Extraction
January 10, 2011, Taped program with Dr. Terry Engelder, Professor of Geosciences, Penn State University, Scott Perry, Director, Bureau of Oil and Gas Management, DEP, and Joe Lima, Program Manager, Schlumberger
Water Use and Water Quality Issues
2-19-09 Webinar and Q and A. . Bryan Swistock, Penn State Water Resources Specialist
Environmental Publications
Additional Environmental Resources
“Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Inventory of Natural Gas Extraction, Delivery and Electricity Production”
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) report details the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from six domestic sources of natural gas and a national average mix for extraction and delivery to a large end user.
Marcellus Shale Lease Guide: Principles for the Conservation-Minded Landowner
A June 2011 publication by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Water Issues
The millions of gallons of water required for drilling and the associated waste products are major concerns here in Pennsylvania.
Natural Gas Impacts Mapping Analysis
A series of GIS maps showing how additional natural gas leasing on state forest land will impact water quality, ecological integrity, backcountry recreation, scenic beauty and other social and environmental values to demonstrate whether a moratorium is needed.
