NY, PA, NJ, OH & WV

"Greene County businessman sentenced for dumping wastewater across six counties: "...The attorney general's office, which argued for jail time, said it was "extremely disappointed" in the sentence. Sentencing guidelines called for 16 months in prison. Spokesman Nils Frederiksen said the sentence of probation "sends the wrong message" about the seriousness of environmental crimes in Pennsylvania, especially one on the scale of Mr. Shipman's. He said Mr. Shipman's scheme went on for a long time, was carefully planned and also involved theft on a "massive" scale..." " (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/washington/green-county-businessman-sentenced-for-dumping-wastewater-across-six-counties-640556/

"No jail time in dumping case: "...After an eight-hour sentencing hearing, Greene County Judge Farley Toothman sentenced Robert Allan Shipman, 50, of New Freeport, former owner of Allan's Wastewater Service Inc., to seven years' probation...In addition to probation, Shipman was ordered to pay $257,316 in restitution; $100,000 in fines; $25,000 to the attorney general's office; and was ordered to serve 1,750 hours of community service with nonprofit water service-related organizations..." " (Observer-Reporter) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/greenecounty11/06-16-2012-Shipman-Sentencing

"EPA Refuses to Release Seismic Data on Proposed Inergy Finger Lakes Liquid Gas Cavern with a History of Earthquakes: "...The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims to hold documentation showing that the roof of the cavern

"Canadian Gas Leaks to Ground Water: "...I am a scientist with 30 years experience working in Western Canada in the oil and gas industry. I am suing EnCana , the Alberta Government and energy regulator for unlawful activities ( www.ernstversusencana.ca ). Albertans are told we have the best in the world regulations and regulators. My statement of claim tells a compelling tale of drinking water contamination cover-up and how even the best regulations and laws do not protect families, communities, water, lands and homes from hydraulic fracturing. I consider it part of this submission; it is available to the public on the case website at the above link..." " (Letter from Jessica Ernst to New York Department of Environmental Conservation)- http://www.scribd.com/doc/97289027/Canadian-Gas-Leaks-to-Ground-Water & http://archive.org/download/CanadianGasLeakstoGroundWater/CanadianGasLeakstoGroundWater.pdf (See also ""Scientist Fracking Concerns" 05-23-12 WIVT/WBGH Newschannel34"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCnq8grybx4 & "Truth and Consequences of Fracking"- http://shaleshockmedia.org/2012/06/10/truth-and-consequences-of-fracking/ )

"Reporter's Notebook: Pipeline will stir debate for weeks to come: "...Things normally slow down in the news business over the dog days of summer, although we don't see any letup ahead, largely because of an upcoming flurry of activity involving the proposed $750 million Constitution Pipeline. The steel pipe, which would be 30 inches in diameter, would stretch 121 miles, from Susquehanna County, Pa., to the Schoharie County town of Wright..." " (The Daily Star) (New York)- http://thedailystar.com/localnews/x1406730394/Reporters-Notebook-Pipeline-will-stir-debate-for-weeks-to-come

"Study predicts positive future for U.S. shale gas industry" (Houston Chronicle via The Buffalo News)- http://www.buffalonews.com/business/article905799.ece

"End gas industry's free pass on hazardous waste: "...As Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo deliberates whether to allow industrial gas drilling by means of high volume hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," it's about time the Empire State closed the hazardous fracking waste loophole. Because if the governor decides to allow fracking, one of the biggest challenges facing New York State will be holding drillers responsible for treating and disposing of hundreds of millions of gallons of toxic fracking waste..." " (Opinion, The Buffalo News) (New York)- http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/another-voice/article906135.ece

"Why are we letting Albany make our decisions?: "...At a recent board meeting, the Town of Wheeler followed in the footsteps of the Town of Bath by passing a non-binding resolution in support of fracking. These resolutions, drafted by out of town lobby groups representing certain landowners with gas leases, take any power municipalities have to assess whether they are adequately prepared for the adverse impact fracking will have on their respective communities and place it solely in the hands of Albany bureaucrats and gas industry executives..." " (Letter to editor, Steuben Courier) (New York)- http://www.steubencourier.com/news_now/x1179511122/Why-are-we-letting-Albany-make-our-decisions

"Revealed: NY Governor Plans to Experiment with Fracking in Impoverished Areas: "...The plan is part of a demonstration project in which the DEC would issue permits for a limited number of wells in certain areas and then monitor the fracking to see if the process could be done safely. Critics are calling on the governor not to use the residents of these impoverished territories as "guinea pigs." These struggling areas, which include Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Steuben and Tioga counties, make up what is known as the Southern Tier, a region in southwest New York that borders Pennsylvania, a state that allows fracking. This region lies on top of the Marcellus Shale, a rock formation stretching across the Appalachian Mountains to upstate and western New York, which is believed to contain a large supply of natural gas..." " (AlterNet) (New York)- http://www.alternet.org/story/155897/?page=entire

"Two More Utica Shale Gas Requests From Norse Energy: Total Now 21: "...The locations for the two most recent applications — both Utica projects, one in the Town of Smithville, Chenango County, and the other I believe a first for the Town of Georgetown, Madison County — are marked in purple pins partially hidden behind their pinkish "bottom holes." So you'll have to do some zooming for the best view. The pins should stay put. These sorts of subterranean news developments are distilled — not from our selectively unentrepreneurial Upstate media — but from checking in occasionally with the NYS DEC's wells database, which you can comb for yourself, later on. .." " (NY Shale Gas Now! Blog) (New York)- http://nyshalegasnow.blogspot.com/2012/03/norses-10th-another-marcellus-request.html

"DEC Region 7 Demonstration: "...hu, June 14, 2012 Rally for a STATEWIDE ban on fracking outside of the DEC regional headquarters in Syracuse, NY. The DEC office in Syracuse represents Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties. Frack Action NY and New Yorkers Against Fracking had already called for rallies across New York State when the New York Times published an article "Cuomo Proposal Would Restrict Gas Drilling to a Struggling Area" indicating a plan from the NYS DEC and Governor Cuomo to create sacrifice zones for fracking in the Southern Tier. .." " (Video, Shaleshock via YouTube) (New York)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIx1UKSLLQY

"Public notices must inform, not confuse: "...In its October 2010 notice seeking comment, Tennessee said it had already identified several issues that deserved public attention, including "route alternatives on and near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pike County, Pennsylvania and Sussex County, New Jersey." Pike County commissioners and others who monitor land development spoke out, but the public was mostly apathetic. It would have gotten noisy back in 2010 if it had been made clear that a seven-mile path of private, mostly forested properties would be disturbed. If the notice had mentioned specific landmarks, like Cummins Hill Road in Milford being affected, more people would have had something to say..." " (Opinion, Ponoco Record) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120616/NEWS/206160325/-1/NEWS

"Protesters picket planned Pike pipeline: "...About 20 people gathered at Stone Field Road to march down Cummins Hill to protest Tennessee Gas Pipeline Loop 323. The 30-inch-diameter pipeline will cut a 22.6-acre swath through Pike County, crossing Cummins Hill through the middle of the Peckham family’s property, taking with it myriad trees and cutting through an environmentally sensitive stream that is home to endangered species, according to protest organizer Linda Klee. “We will not be bullied,” she said. “They will be bulldozing trees. There are bald eagles on the ridge. We need to let everyone know what is going to happen.”..." " (Ponoco Record) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120616/NEWS/120619831

"Local officials say they aren’t told about spills: "...PITTSBURGH — Gas drilling-related companies spilled oils, gases or chemicals about 134 times onto land and into water across Pennsylvania since Jan. 1, 2011, but the state rarely, if ever, notified the public. By law, it doesn’t have to...State Department of Environmental Protection records obtained by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review show at least 27 spills from shale drilling in 19 townships in the agency’s 10-county southwestern region during that time. Most officials the newspaper contacted said they knew nothing about the incidents..." " (Associated Press) (Pennsylvania)- http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/06/16/local-officials-say-they-arent-told-about-spills/

"Drilling won’t threaten Pa. parks, officials say: "...What would happen if a well casing failed, or a blowout threatened the watershed or the creek? Poister said the DEP regularly inspects the wells, even when they are capped, to make sure no failed casings could allow fracking fluid or natural gas to migrate to ground water. Brady said it would be the DEP’s job to mitigate pollution from an accident such as a blowout. The DCNR, which manages Pennsylvania’s 129 state parks, gives 100 percent priority to public safety, Brady said..." " (Youngstown Vindicator) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jun/17/drilling-wont-threaten-pa-parks-official/

"Morrisville officials oppose drilling law: "...Debby Colgan, chairman of the MEAC, explained in a memo to borough council members why her group made the recommendation. “There are many, many flaws with Act 13,” Colgan wrote. “The most alarming for council is the reality that we have lost one of our most basic tools for shaping our community in a way that best meets our needs - zoning.” ..." " (The Trentonian) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.trentonian.com/article/20120616/NEWS01/120619804/morrisville-officials-ooppose-drilling-law&pager=full_story

"Chartiers residents voice concern over gas well: "...During a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed oil and gas extraction ordinance to make Chartiers Township compliant with the state's new gas drilling law, the supervisors heard from residents unhappy a gas well may be coming to their neighborhood..."We can't create ordinances contrary to Act 13," said Richard Metzler, chairman of the board of supervisors. "We are updating the ordinance to comply with state law, which is in many ways more restrictive than what we had in the past."..." " (Observer-Reporter) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/06-16-2012-chartiers-act-13-hearing

"Water test interpretation available at Expo: "...Penn State Extension will have an exhibit at the Northern-Tier Marcellus Shale Business Expo at Alparon Park on Saturday, June 23, where folks can bring their water test reports for help with interpretation and for more information on water quality..." " (Times-Shamrock Communications) (Pennsylvania)- http://thedailyreview.com/news/water-test-interpretation-available-at-expo-1.1330703

"West Virginia “Has Not Had Any Further Discussions” About Cracker With Shell" (NPR/StateImpact Pennsylvania) (Pennsylvania)- http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/06/15/west-virginia-has-not-had-any-further-discussions-about-cracker-with-shell/

"Cracker plant jobs claim may be way off: "...State leaders consistently have claimed there will be 10,000 to 20,000 new permanent jobs as part of a pitch for a $1.65 billion tax credit for Shell and related industry. As recently as Thursday, Corbett posted on his Twitter feed, "A crackerplant would create up to 20,000 permanent jobs in Southwest PA." The governor stands by those numbers, spokeswoman Kelli Roberts said on Friday when asked about the discrepancy. They were based on a report from the American Chemistry Council, a chemical industry group, she said. It estimated 17,000 new American jobs if a company spent $3.2 billion to build an ethylene production plant in Pennsylvania..." " (Tribune-Review) (Pennsylvania)- http://triblive.com/home/2008446-74/jobs-state-plant-permanent-shell-industry-corbett-numbers-tax-billion

"Shell cracks gas, Gov. cracks the bank, we crack wise: "...We didn’t make it out to CCBC on Thursday for Gov. Tom Corbett’s in absentia give-me-cracker-tax-credits-or-give-me-death plea. Unfortunately, we were, um, otherwise engaged with a grand jury in Pittsburgh — but nobody’s interested in that. While channel-surfing later that night, though, we caught a little bit of the PCN broadcast. Specifically, we were lucky enough to flip over as county Commissioner Joe Spanik was on the mic..." " (Opinion, Times Online) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.timesonline.com/columnists/j_d_prose/shell-cracks-gas-gov-cracks-the-bank-we-crack-wise/article_81896b4b-c932-5755-afad-bafbce09f947.html

"Business Forum: Increasing natural gas usage key to our future" (Opinion, Gene Barr, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/opinion/increasing-natural-gas-usage-key-to-our-future-640607/ & http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12168/1239868-432.stm

"Allentown explosion raises questions about gas odor: "...Seventy-four years later, despite the regulations that tragedy or inspired, no one reported smelling anything in the 1300 block of Allen Street in Allentown 16 months ago, when a leaking 12-inch cast-iron main allowed gas to build up, leading to a catastrophic explosion that killed five people and leveled eight rowhomes. The disaster illustrates how one of the gas companies' primary safety measures is far from foolproof..." " (The Morning Call) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pa-allentown-gas-explosion-odor-20120616,0,301373.story

"Fracking to begin at Brooke Hills Park: "...WELLSBURG - After working several months to establish a natural gas well at Brooke Hills Park, crews are slated to begin the next phase next week. Jacque Bland, media relations specialist for Chesapake Energy Corp., confirmed some time next week crews will begin hydraulic fracturing the two wells created at the site. Bland said the work will take two to three weeks because the company doesn't plan to do it on weekends..." " (The Herald-Star) (Ohio)- http://www.heraldstaronline.com/page/content.detail/id/574821/Fracking-to-begin-at-Brooke-Hills-Park.html

"Local educators learn about oil, gas industry: "...The Adamsville Elementary School math and science teacher strapped on a bright blue hard hat and spent Thursday visiting a pipeline and supply company, an oil gathering station, a compressor station and a pump station. Baughman was one of about 20 teachers participating in the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program's teacher workshop. The two-day event cost about $25,000 to host, but everything was paid for through donations from oil and gas companies, said Rhonda Reda, OOGEEP executive director..." " (GANNETT) (Ohio)- http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20120616/NEWS01/206160301/

"Ohio shale firms, activists revisit fracking film: "...COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio shale firms and anti-drilling activists are holding rival events sparked by a documentary against hydraulic fracturing. The Ohio Energy Resource Alliance, made up of oil and gas interests in the state, will screen the film "Truthland" at a Columbus science museum on Saturday..." " (Associated Press) (Ohio)- http://www.onntv.com/content/stories/apexchange/2012/06/16/oh--gas-drilling-film-wars.html , http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/ohio/shale-firms-activists-revisit-fracking-film & http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/ohio-shale-firms-activists-revisit-fracking-film-1392145.html

"Stark State oil and gas program develops: "...“We’re looking at it from all aspects and trying to address the needs,” said S. Kathleen Streere, a petroleum engineer who has been named coordinator of Stark State’s oil and gas programs. The initial class will teach “floor hand” duties to prospective workers on drilling rigs. Stark State is working with ShaleNET, a federal grant program developed to train oil field workers and place them with drilling companies. ShaleNET is based in Pennsylvania and provides training through 20 community colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio..." " (Canton Rep) (Ohio)- http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x681117343/Stark-State-oil-and-gas-program-develops

United States & Canada:

"Public Meeting on Draft Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels: "...The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or agency) is announcing a public meeting to discuss draft permitting guidance the agency has developed on the use of diesel fuels in oil and gas hydraulic fracturing and to solicit input during the public comment period. The meeting is open to all interested parties. The agency requests input on the following technical aspects of the draft permitting guidance: Diesel fuels description; diesel fuels usage information; permit duration and well closure; area of review; information submitted with the permit application; and monitoring...The meeting will take place on Monday, June 29, 2012, in Room 1153 EPA East, 1201 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. Participants may choose from two sessions, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To allow for maximum public participation, registrants are asked to select one session only..." " (Environmental Protection Agency)- https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/06/18/2012-14786/public-meeting-on-draft-permitting-guidance-for-oil-and-gas-hydraulic-fracturing-activities-using#p-4

"Coal use down in U.S.: "...Natural gas cheaper, better for environment...Demand for coal has fallen even faster than the environmentalists who have been lobbying against coal had anticipated. Bruce Nilles, director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign, says the shift was accelerated by the low price of natural gas. That, along with tougher environmental rules and alternatives such as wind and solar will keep the pressure on coal. "We won't go backwards," he says..." " (Associated Press)- http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jun/16/coal-use-down-in-us/

"Dallas: Sex, Scandal and...Fracking: "...Did the fracking debate dredge 'Dallas' — the redux — or was this soap opera's resurgence just another convenient mirror in which to reflect how central the nation's debate over energy has now become in our culture? Either way, the show's creators seem to have found the decades-old plot so evocative of the evolving contemporary debate over oil and gas drilling and the environment that they couldn't resist resurrecting it. Perhaps they should have..." " (ProPublica)- http://www.propublica.org/article/the-new-dallas-sex-scandal-and-u.s.-energy-policy & http://www.dailyyonder.com/dallas-sex-scandal-andfracking/2012/06/15/4101

"The Arithmetic of Shale Gas" (Yale Graduates Energy Study Group)- http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2085027

"Puerto Rico ponders alternatives to gas pipeline/Puerto Rico studies alternatives to controversial natural gas pipeline proposal: "...Nieves described the committee’s alternatives, including one to place a buoy in waters just north of the island that would carry natural gas to facilities of the state-owned power authority. A second alternative calls for construction of a floating terminal near the island’s south coast facilities that could be used by boats to distribute gas to a satellite terminal in the north. The third alternative is to supply compressed natural gas through a northern terminal built either on land or underwater. Juan Camacho, spokesman for a local group that opposes the original project, said he worries that building a smaller pipeline along the north coast is still a possibility, and said he favors the water-based alternatives. “For us, it is unacceptable that even one inch of a natural gas pipeline be built,” he said..." " (Associated Press) (Puerto Rico)- http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/puerto-rico-studies-alternatives-to-controversial-natural-gas-pipeline-proposal/2012/06/16/gJQAZchNhV_story.html & http://www.wboc.com/story/18805471/puerto-rico-ponders-alternatives-to-gas-pipeline

"Fracking low risk for causing earthquakes, new report says: "...Hydraulic fracturing has a low risk for causing earthquakes - but underground injection of fracking wastes and other energy technologies present greater seismic risks, a report from the National Research Council says. Oklahoma has seen a series of small but high-profile earthquakes in recent months. A 4.7-magnitude quake on Nov. 5 was felt widely across the state and a 5.6-magnitude shaker shortly thereafter may have been the biggest seismic event of the state's contemporary history. .." " (Tulsa World) (Oklahoma)- http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120616_16_A1_CUTLIN400850

"Waste-disposal wells from gas drilling linked to North Texas quakes: "...North Texas historically has been a sleepy backwater for earthquakes. But as the region has converted into a natural-gas frontier, things have gotten shakier. People in Johnson County felt new evidence of the trend early Friday..." " (The Dallas Morning News) (Texas)- http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20120615-waste-disposal-wells-from-gas-drilling-linked-to-north-texas-quakes.ece

"Dates for next City Council gas-drilling talks: Aug. 1, Aug. 15: "...On May 16, the last time the council kicked around where and how it would let gas companies drill, frack and pump, Mayor Mike Rawlings said he wanted more briefings before a vote. Assistant City Manager Jill A. Jordan sent a memo Thursday laying out the schedule. On Aug. 1, council members will hear from an environmental representative to be picked by member Scott Griggs, and a gas industry rep recruited by member Sheffie Kadane. Each speaker will have a half-hour to praise or blast the recommendations of the Dallas Gas Drilling Task Force. Then, on Aug. 15, the council will meet behind closed doors for lawyer-talk, presumably about the legal implications if the city were to restrict drilling on parcels where it’s already collected millions for drilling leases..." " (Dallas News City Hall Blog) (Texas)- http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/dates-for-next-city-council-gas-drilling-talks-aug-1-aug-15.html/

"House energy bill pushes for more oil, gas development on public land while opponents say industry lets thousands of acres sit idle: "...A bill moving through the U.S. House that seeks to expand domestic oil and gas drilling, especially on federal lands, either represents a boon to the nation’s economy, or a dangerous and unnecessary proposal that ignores the economic realities behind energy production, depending on whom you ask. “We’ve got to get our economy turned around, and I think energy development — as shown in Weld County — can be one way to get our economy turned around by hiring more people,” said Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., the primary sponsor of the bill. “We can start lowering the price at the pump by developing more domestic energy. This bill really does address both of those goals — getting more people back to work and achieving abundant affordable energy.”..." " (Greeley Tribune) (Colorado)- http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20120615/NEWS/706159970/1002&parentprofile=1

"All sides hold forth on oil, gas Loveland councilors and planning commissioners soak up expert views: "...Tisha Conaly Schuller, the chief spokeswoman for Colorado's oil and gas producers, got Loveland city councilors and planning commissioners started on a broad discussion of her industry's work in a most unexpected way Tuesday night. She said their inquiry, in the wake of councilors' vote for a moratorium on petroleum exploration and production in the city, was right on track. "There are a lot of trucks. There's dust. There's noise," she said. "Those are things that are appropriate for city councils to be concerned about. These are things that can be addressed, and those are very valuable conversations." ..." " (Loveland Reporter-Herald) (Colorado)- http://www.reporterherald.com/news/loveland-local-news/ci_20848837/all-sides-hold-forth-oil-gas-loveland-councilors

"Boulder County Planning Commission to consider oil, gas issues Wednesday: "...BOULDER -- Boulder County's Planning Commission, the nine-member panel that oversees the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, is scheduled on Wednesday to discuss drafts of amendments to update that document's provisions about oil and gas drilling and production in unincorporated areas of the county. Those comp plan revisions, if formally adopted by the Planning Commission during a subsequent meeting tentatively set for July 18, could then become part of the basis for revising the Boulder County Land Use Code's rules and regulations about oil and gas exploration and production later this year..." " (Longmont Times-Call) (Colorado)- http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_20874007/boulder-county-planning-commission-consider-oil-gas-issues

"Wyoming works quickly to replace oil and gas supervisor: "...Whoever’s chosen to succeed Doll will have to pick up where he left off on a number of important energy issues facing Wyoming right now, from flaring rules to handling the emerging Niobrara oil play in the southeast part of the state. But at the top of the list: the Pavillion fracking case, which is ongoing as state and federal officials are analyzing new groundwater samples. “It’s really a crucial time — it’s a bad time to lose a supervisor that’s got a lot of experience,” said Richard Garrett of the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “And so I bet it was a tough decision for the governor.” Doll himself played a pivotal role in Wyoming passing the nation’s first state fracking regulations in 2010. He’s also testified before Congress about the controversial procedure, which critics claim pollutes water supplies. Supporters say there is no proof of that..." " (Casper Star-Tribune) (Wyoming)- http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/wyoming-works-quickly-to-replace-oil-and-gas-supervisor/article_bef3d988-3805-5c6d-864e-0d7318116b5e.html

"Drilling's impact in other states supports pit rule: "...Back in New Mexico, a hearing was in progress, designed to scuttle our "pit rule," which requires lined pits or closed-loop tanks for drilling waste. Since the pit rule's enactment, official records of groundwater contamination by oil drilling have dropped from hundreds to none. Many New Mexico drillers support the pit rule, but a rogue handful want it revoked. If they succeed, New Mexico will be one long step closer to Pennsylvania, where total deregulation has spawned a destructive drill-and-be-damned mentality..." " (Opinion, Associate Professor and George Pearl Fellow at The University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning, The Santa Fe New Mexican) (New Mexico)- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Opinion/myview/My-View--Kim-Sorvig-Drilling-s-impact-in-other-states-supports-

"Huge shale-gas field discovered: "...Apache Corp. has made what it believes may be one of the world's largest shale-gas discoveries in a remote corner of northeastern B.C., a field containing as much as 48 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas...The well, which was "fracked" six times, delivered 21.3 million cubic feet of gas per day over its first 30 days of production, which, Apache said, was the most prolific shale-gas test well ever drilled..." " (Times Colonist) (Canada)- http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Huge+shale+field+discovered/6793591/story.html

"Ewart: Calls growing for probe of aging pipeline system: "...Pipelines were a big topic of conversation throughout the show because, at the same time, hundreds of workers were busy cleaning up after a rupture in a 46-year-old pipeline dumped up to 3,000 barrels of crude oil into the Red Deer River system. The river is the source of drinking water for 90,000 people in central Alberta farm country. In northern Alberta, workers are also mopping up at Rainbow Lake after a pipeline leak by Pace Oil & Gas spilled 5,000 barrels. It's the same area where Plains Midstream had released 28,000 barrels last year in one of Alberta's biggest spills..." " (The Calgary Herald) (Canada)- http://www.calgaryherald.com/Ewart+Calls+growing+probe+aging+pipeline+system/6793089/story.html

"DURHAM BRIDGE SHALE GAS MEETING 11/6/12: "...The New Brunswick government is encouraging "citizen engagement" re shale gas/natural gas? in their province. This is the second of nine meetings planned for rural areas in the province. Urban areas as well as Charlotte County have been excluded from representation..." " (YouTube) (Canada)- Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRFMJnPjAlg & Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRjxssG5-jY

International:

"Shift to shale could fracture Opec's world: "...But Paul Stevens of the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London says he believes Opec needs to be aware of it, not just because of America but because shale reserves could be exploited in other key markets, such as China. "If you had talked about North America ever being self-sufficient in oil five years ago," he says, "you would have been laughed out of court." But this situation has changed – to the west's advantage. US oil prices have slumped from above $100 a barrel in March to near $80, although North Sea Brent blend – most commonly used as a global price indicator – is still around $97. This is not so much about the development of shale or tar sands but about a slump in demand due to the stricken global economy..." " (The Guardian)- http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jun/17/opec-vienna-meeting-oil-quotas-shale

"James Lovelock: The UK should be going mad for fracking: "...Scientist James Lovelock is the man behind Gaia theory, and once predicted doom for our climate. He discusses nuclear (good), wind power (bad) and why fracking is the future..." " (The Guardian)- http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jun/15/james-lovelock-interview-gaia-theory

"MP calls for action on shaking homes: "...A FYLDE MP has called for a gas drilling company to take radical action following complaints from residents about shaking homes and explosions. Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, had demanded Cuadrilla Resources, the company behind controversial shale gas fracking in the area, reduce the impact of its geophysical surveying near residential areas. But after speaking to the company he now says he is happy with the measures they have put in place. The company is currently detonating charges underground in a bid to establish the best places to carry out the controversial gas drilling technique – but had to stop work following a flood of complaints from residents in Wesham..." " (Blackpool Gazette) (United Kingdom)- http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/mp-calls-for-action-on-shaking-homes-1-4651060\

"Russia oil firms face heavy fines for gas flaring: "...Russian oil companies are facing fines of hundreds of millions of dollars or more for polluting the atmosphere with excess amounts of flared gas, the newly appointed resources minister said on Saturday. Russia, the world's top energy producer, set a target for oil companies not to flare off more than 5 percent of the associated petroleum gas (APG) they produce as a byproduct of crude extraction by 2012...." " (Reuters)- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/16/russia-oil-flaring-idUSL5E8HG33G20120616 , http://www.cnbc.com/id/47841640 & http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=OBR&date=20120616&id=15231293

"Protest procession against changes in moratorium on shale gas extraction in Bulgaria’s Shumen: "...Shumen. A protest procession against the amendments to the moratorium on the shale gas extraction will take place in the town of Shumen on Sunday. Coordinator of the citizens’ structure that organises the protest, Svetlana Venelinova, announced the news for Radio FOCUS. The organisation of the event started online in a group on facebook. The procession is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Around 300 people are expected to join the demonstration. .." " (FOCUS Information Agency) (Bulgaria)- http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n280725

"US fuels giant ExxonMobil ends prospecting in Poland" (Agence France Presse)- http://www.france24.com/en/20120616-us-fuels-giant-exxonmobil-ends-prospecting-poland