NY, PA, NJ, OH & WV:

"MUNICIPALITIES RESISTING FRACKING IN NYS THROUGH HOME RULE TELL THEIR STORY: "...Local officials who voted to impose municipal bans on hydraulic fracturing will gather in the state capitol in Albany on Monday 18 June to call attention to the rapidly expanding 'home rule' movement that is sweeping upstate New York..." " (ShaleShock Media)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZKJfVOd2q8 (See also "Interactive map: NY communities that have a fracking moratorium or fracking ban"- http://www.pressconnects.com/interactive/article/20120420/WIDGET/120420024/ )

"THE SKY IS PINK: ANNOTATED DOCUMENTS: "...If it is not possible for gas to migrate from targeted formations, why does industry show so much evidence to the contrary in these, their very own documents?..." " (Josh Fox/International WOW Company)- http://www1.rollingstone.com/extras/theskyispink_annotdoc-gasl4final.pdf (See also "THE SKY IS PINK"- http://vimeo.com/44367635 )

"Energy leaders defend fracking: "...“Well construction has been the issue, not hydraulic fracturing,” said Rhonda L. Reda, executive director of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program...." " (The Times-Reporter) (Ohio)- http://www.timesreporter.com/communities/x1446660369/Energy-leaders-defend-fracking

"Tompkins legislature chair visits Albany opposing leaked fracking plan: "...Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature Martha Robertson, D-Dryden, joined nine anti-hydrofracking speakers Wednesday at a press conference on the Capitol Steps in Albany. The press conference was in response to a New York Times article that Gov. Andrew Cuomo was considering allowing fracking in parts of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Steuben and Tioga counties. During Tuesday night's county legislature meeting, Robertson said it would amount to a horseshoe shaped area of fracking, with Tompkins and other counties at the center. After the conference, Robertson delivered a letter opposing fracking in New York signed by 10 county legislators. She said the group attempted to set an appointment to speak with Cuomo, but governor wasn't made available..." " (GANNETT) (New York)- http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20120621/NEWS01/206210400/

"Town supervisors call for allowing drilling in So. Tier: "...Town supervisors from upstate New York have appealed to state officials to allow drilling in the Marcellus and Utica shales for natural gas in their communities..." " (Olean Times Herald) (New York)- http://www.oleantimesherald.com/editorial/article_fdb28c1e-bbab-11e1-87ef-001a4bcf887a.html

"A Modest Proposal: Cuomo would start hydrofracking in a limited region rich with gas: "...The pushback continues. Dozens of municipalities elsewhere in the state — including Syracuse — have passed resolutions against hydrofracking. The state has declared the watersheds around New York City and Skaneateles Lake off-limits. Staff writer Glenn Coin reported recently that the Marcellus shale in Central New York is shallower, and that hydrofracking is not likely to come to this region anytime soon. But critics don’t want it anywhere. The process involves pumping millions of gallons of water laced with chemicals deep underground to crack the shale formations and release the natural gas. Concerns focus on contamination risks, air pollution, truck traffic and safe disposal of the wastewater. The critics argue that votes of town or village boards should not open the way to hydrofracking. Syracuse attorney Joe Heath claims the process was rushed. “If there were full public hearings and open votes, then we might know what the population wants to do,” he said. He also claimed some local leaders already have signed leases with drilling companies..." " (Opinion, The Post-Standard) (New York)- http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2012/06/a_modest_proposal_cuomo_would.html

"Will Fracking Hurt Pittsburgh?: "...PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) – Chris Moore talks with former City Councilman Doug Shields about the fracking industry. You can listen to the interview here..." " (Audio, 1020 KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh)- http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/06/24/will-fracking-hurt-pittsburgh/ (See also "6-24-doug-shields-hour-1.mp3"- http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/6-24-doug-shields-hour-1.mp3 , "6-24-doug-shields-hour-2.mp3"- http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/6-24-doug-shields-hour-2.mp3 & "6-24-doug-shields-hour-3.mp3"- http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/6-24-doug-shields-hour-3.mp3 )

"Studying the Marcellus Shale: Researchers develop collaborative tool for water quality data: "...A new database that channels available water quality data into a searchable format recently was demonstrated at the ShaleNetwork 2012 workshop at Penn State’s University Park campus. The workshop was part of the ShaleNetwork, a multi-institutional initiative funded by National Science Foundation to track potential impacts of gas shale activity, including that of the largest source of natural gas in the United States, the Marcellus Shale. The purpose of the event was to encourage participants to use and contribute data to a growing database of water quality for regions of shale gas development..." " (Centre Daily Times) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.centredaily.com/2012/06/24/3240040/marcellus-shale.html

"Show me the money: How much economic benefit is the Marcellus Shale bringing to the region and where are those dollars going?: "...Even now, more than seven years after the Marcellus land rush began, state officials, academics and economists who have the trust of the industry say they have only a partial picture of the overall economic effects it has already had, and can do little more than guess what the long-term economic effects will be. .." " (Pittsburgh Today) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.pittsburghtoday.org/special_marcellus_showme.html

"Financiers: Marcellus more than a trickle : "...But if you aren’t receiving royalty checks from a drilling company, Luschini said, you probably aren’t seeing the economic stimulation that has been promised. “Long-term benefits are undeniable,” Luschini said. “But the progress isn’t going to be linear. It is going to be driven by supply and demand, regulation and tax.” This helps explain why local industry has yet to see the expected boom, delayed in part by the remarkably mild winter of 2011-12 that kept the price of natural gas low. “But since energy represents a substantial portion of the stock market, there is an opportunity to avail yourself to companies that have exposure right there in the Marcellus Shale,” Luschini said. “This hopefully will be a win for us in western Pennsylvania, a win for the nation, and a win for your investment portfolio.”.." " (The Beaver County Times/Shale Reporter) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/financiers-marcellus-more-than-a-trickle/article_cfa2e234-cc5d-5623-a6b6-68457776c271.html & http://www.shalereporter.com/industry/article_f8e94b8a-bc9d-11e1-bfc0-001a4bcf6878.html

"Big bucks to smooth area travel: "...The Lycoming County Planning Commission on Thursday endorsed the Williamsport Area Transportation Study's four-year spending plan for local transportation upgrades. The commission also approved a stormwater management waiver for a water withdrawal facility proposed in the western part of the county. That project could remove several hundred gas industry trucks per day from local roads...Much of the transit plan focuses on converting the River Valley Transit bus fleet from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas, Murwawski said...In other business, Anadarko is proposing to build a water pump station and withdrawal facility that will remove up to 1.5 million gallons of water per day from the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and then transport that water by pipeline to gas drilling sites north of the river. According to George Logue Jr., commission chairman, piping 1.5 million gallons of water per day to drilling sites would remove 300 water hauling trucks per day from local roads. The proposed facility will be less than 2,000 square feet and will be located at the Susquehanna Campground between Route 220 and the river...The commission also approved land development plans for a compressor station that will be built by PVR Marcellus Gas Gathering LLC. The compressor station will be built in Cogan House Township on property owned by the Red Bend Hunting and Fishing Club. The project included two compressor station buildings, a control building and other compressor equipment, according to planning documents..." " (Williamsport Sun-Gazette) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/579974/Big-bucks-to-smooth-area-travel.html

"Oklahoma town Drumright celebrates 100 years since first oil rig striking: "...The Pennsylvania native and his contemporaries helped turn Oklahoma into one of the nation's energy hotbeds. In a testament to the cyclical, boom-bust world of energy production, that state now has expertise to send back to Pennsylvania, as drillers tap the new Marcellus Shale natural gas play. It's impossible to say if Drumright is a future version of today's shale towns, though it does offer an extreme example of what it's like to live not just above a fossil fuel but also to depend on it for a living -- from the difficulty of being a dissenting voice to the annual parade floats dictated by worldwide oil prices..." " (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) (Pennsylvania & Oklahoma)- http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/environment/oklahoma-town-drumright-celebrates-100-years-since-first-oil-rig-striking-641714/ , http://shale.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/news/archives/24650-oklahoma-town-drumright-celebrates-100-years-since-first-oil-rig-striking & http://futures.tradingcharts.com/news/futures/Oklahoma_town_Drumright_celebrates_100_years_since_first_oil_rig_striking_180750163.html

"Charges brought in copper thefts: "...State police charged two men for allegedly stealing copper wires from Williams Gas Pipeline in Lower Chanceford Township...Hoke is accused stealing copper from the site on four separate occasions between Nov. 23 and Feb. 28, police said. It cost $40,000 to replace the copper wire and repair damages, police said...Charges against Hoke were filed on March 13 and a pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 17 at the York County Judicial Center, documents state..." " (The York Dispatch) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_20929997/charges-brought-copper-thefts

"Montague couple fighting gas pipeline extension route: "...The project, which received approval in May from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), represents the final phase of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.'s Northeast Upgrade Project, which will involve adding 40 miles of pipeline to the company's existing transmission system from Pike County, Pa., to Mahwah. The system, which is part of a pipeline network originating in Texas and Louisiana, supplies natural gas to much of the Northeast U.S. from energy sources that until recently were located principally in and around the Gulf of Mexico. But with the development of new technologies that envision abundant, long-term supplies of domestic natural gas being harnessed from shale formations in Pennsylvania, the company says there is a need for additional capacity to supply growing markets in the Northeast. Tennessee Gas, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, says it expects to complete the project by November 2013 at a cost of about $400 million. .." " (New Jersey Herald) (New Jersey)- http://www.njherald.com/story/18864857/montague-couple-fighting-gas-pipeline-extension-route

"Jersey City Files Comprehensive Petition for Rehearing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Continued Fight to Stop the Proposed Spectra Pipeline: "...The City’s 43-page petition, among other things, calls into the question the constitutionality of FERC to fairly evaluate construction proposals for gas pipelines since the agency is funded entirely on fees generated by energy companies. “We have argued throughout this process that it has been one lacking any independent or thorough analysis by FERC,” said Mayor Healy. “The findings and arguments made by the pipeline company have been taken as gospel by FERC, while most, if not all, of our concerns have either been downplayed or disregarded.” ..." " (City of Jersey)- http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/uploadedFiles/Public_Notices/Press_Releases/2012%20Jersey%20City%20Files%20for%20Request%20for%20Rehearing%20with%20FERC.pdf (See also "Opposition to Proposed Spectra Energy Pipeline"- http://jerseycitynj.gov/resident.aspx?id=7184 & "Request for Rehearing of City of Jersey City under CP11-56" (Jersey City Petition to FERC)- http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/downloadOpen.asp?downloadfile=20120620%2D5085%2827380867%29%2Epdf&folder=2469266&fileid=13011365&trial=1

"Note of Thanks: Glad superintendent turned down well offer : "...We would like to give Hudson Schools Superintendent Steve Farnsworth a heartfelt thank you for his decision to not recommend that the gas well proposal at Evamere move forward. There were more than 30 parents of students and nearby residents voicing their opposition to this proposal at last month's Board of Education meeting. It is reassuring that school leadership carefully weighed safety and public sentiment over financial gain. We understand that this is a tough decision and appreciate what we believe to be a wise choice. We would, along with so many others, like to acknowledge his care and concern in this matter..." " (Letter to editor, Hudson Hub Times) (Ohio)- http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/5198729

"Gingrich addresses town hall event: "...HANOVERTON - Change is needed in the political climate locally and across the nation, former House speaker and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said Friday...According to Gingrich, those changes include taking advantage of drilling for oil and gas on our own soil. He said the country has been "trapped in the left on the idea of peak oil," which is the belief that the country is running out of fuel...During his speech Gingrich pointed out that the Sierra Club, the environmental organization of which he was formerly a member, has opposed natural gas drilling. "My belief is the Sierra Club is now keeping us in the dark," he said..." " (The Morning Sentinel) (Ohio)- http://www.morningjournalnews.com/page/content.detail/id/540893/Gingrich-addresses-town-hall-eve---.html

"Damascus Ruritans host state representative: "...DAMASCUS- The Damascus Ruritan met June 14 at the Damascus Methodist Church for dinner, with 22 members and five guests present...state Rep. Craig Newbold...After dinner Newbold spoke about some of his concerns with big government, both federal and state. He said he would like to see a change, returning more of governing back to the local level, and the state providing more funds for local government to manage their own local communities. He spoke about the Chesapeake boom (shale, oil and gas drilling) in Columbiana County, and that the county is not prepared for the influx and immediate needs that are here and will increase as the months go by. He said some of his concerns regarding the issue are housing and education for those that are in need of employment..." " (The Salem News) (Ohio)- http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/555722/Damascus-Ruritans-host-state-representative.html

"Transition period for grads: "...With the developing technologies associated with shale oil and gas hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and a graduate is willing to do manual labor, a trade school might be the way to go. The boom related to the Marcellus and Utica shale deposits hasn't hit the area just yet - the price of natural gas bottomed out - but many people who should know say it's coming and it will change the employment landscape for years to come..." " (Opinion, Tribune Chronicle) (Ohio)- http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/573334/Transition-period-for-grads.html

"Columbiana County signs shale gas lease worth $3.2 Million: "...LISBON, Ohio - A new shale gas lease agreement signed by Columbiana County Commissioner Mike Halleck, on behalf of the board, will bring a record $3.2-Million to the county's coffers. The lease with DPS Penn, an agent for Chesapeake Energy, is for approximately 550-acres of land owned by the county. Columbiana County will receive $5,850 for each acre, the highest fee ever paid to any government entity..." " (WFMJ) (Ohio)- http://www.wfmj.com/story/18851513/columbiana-county-signs-shale-gas-lease-worth-32-million & http://refinerynews.com/columbiana-county-signs-shale-gas-lease-worth-3-2-million/

"Plant Within State’s Grasp: W.Va. Eyed for Cracker: "...NEW MARTINSVILLE - West Virginia and Ohio may have lost out on Royal Dutch Shell's multibillion-dollar ethane cracker, but Aither Chemicals is making progress in bringing at least one petrochemical facility to the Mountain State. Last week, West Virginia-based Aither entered into an agreement with Bayer Corp. to "determine the market interest for chemicals and plastics" for an ethane cracker that would be built in the Charleston area. Bayer owns land in Institute, W.Va. (near Charleston) in addition to the New Martinsville plant, but Aither spokesman Jason Keeling said the agreement does not mean the plant will be built on Bayer's Institute site..." " (The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register) (West Virginia)- http://theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/571284/Plant-Within-State-s-Grasp--W-Va--Eyed-for-Cracker.html

"'It's Not Easy' : "...Those with the state Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Oil and Gas are still trying to fill six new positions created last December with the passage of the Horizontal Well Act. "It's not easy to find people, but we're looking and we're confident that we will," says DEP Spokesperson Tom Aluise. Natural gas well inspectors for Northern West Virginia would be among the six. Those inspectors handle environmental regulatory oversight of oil and gas well drilling sites and production operations..." " (MetroNews) (West Virginia)- http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=53451

United States & Canada:

"Sinopec eyes shale gas assets : "...It is a good time for Chinese companies to buy into US natural gas projects given the low international natural gas prices, experts said yesterday, after media reported that the head of China's largest energy company paid a visit to the US to talk about a possible gas shale assets acquisition. Fu Chengyu, chairman of Sinopec Corp, was in Oklahoma last week to explore the possibility of a bid for a shale gas project, which is owned by Chesapeake Energy, the second largest shale gas producer in the US, Reuters reported. .." " (Global Times) (China & Oklahoma)- http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/716781/Sinopec-eyes-shale-gas-assets.aspx , http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/716781.shtml , http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/7854914.html & http://refinerynews.com/sinopec-eyes-shale-gas-assets/

"Mulva, top oil execs meet with Alaska governor: "...ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sean Parnell met Thursday in Anchorage with the chief executive officers from BP, ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil to discuss alignment between the three companies on commercializing the North Slope’s vast natural gas reserves. The meeting took place at the request of Parnell after he publicly called on the three companies – the major lease holders for gas reserves on the North Slope – to work together on developing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project that focuses on exporting Alaska North Slope gas to Asia’s growing markets..." " (Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise) (Alaska)- http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/sections/news/business/mulva-top-oil-execs-meet-alaska-governor.html

"Singapore could get better deal buying gas from US" (TODAYonline)- http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC120625-0000006/Spore-could-get-better-deal-buying-gas-from-US & http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/singapore-could-get-better-deal-buying-gas-from-us-lee-yoong-yoong

"Shale Gas Reality Begins to Dawn: "...It has long been our position at The Automatic Earth that North America is collectively dreaming with regard to unconventional natural gas. While gas is undeniably there, the Energy Returned On Energy Invested (EROEI) is dramatically lower than for conventional supplies. The critical nature of EROEI has been widely ignored, but will ultimately determine what is and is not an energy source, and shale gas is going to fail the test..." " (The Automatic Earth)- http://www.theautomaticearth.com/Finance/shale-gas-reality-begins-to-dawn.html & http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article35309.html

"Marcellus gas cuts price premiums to decade lows: "...So much natural gas is coming from the Marcellus shale deposit in the U.S. Northeast that costs for utilities are at levels unseen in more than a decade. .." " (Bloomberg News)- http://www.telegram.com/article/20120621/NEWS/106219795/1002/business

"VIEWPOINTS: Technical innovations have unlocked vast quantities of oil, natural gas across the US: "...The path forward is clear. We should continue to invest in the development of renewable energy sources, but as the shale oil and gas revolution has already demonstrated, our attention should remain on the development of the nation's vast fossil fuel resources. Increased oil and natural gas production can provide energy security and jobs, and it can be a key participant in a cost-effective and cleaner energy future..." " (Opinion by J. Winston Porter, energy and environmental consultant in Savannah, Ga., and former assistant administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency via The Birmingham News)- http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2012/06/viewpoints_technical_innovatio.html & http://refinerynews.com/viewpoints-technical-innovations-have-unlocked-vast-quantities-the-birmingham-news/

"Actual Energy Costs Are Driving Us Towards a Natural Gas Nation" (Forbes)- http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2012/06/24/actual-energy-costs-are-driving-us-towards-a-natural-gas-nation/

"Roll Call: House OKs offshore drilling: "... ENERGY v. ENVIRONMENT: Voting 248 for and 163 against, the House on June 21 passed a bill (HR 4480) to expand oil and gas drilling offshore and on federally owned land in the West, shelve new environmental regulation of refineries, give energy production priority over other uses of public lands and require draw-downs from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to be accompanied by increased oil production. The bill also would change the legal rationale of the Clean Air Act by requiring air-pollution rules to be justified mainly by their economic impact rather than by their benefits for public health, which has been the standard since 1970. The bill awaits Senate action..." " (The Daily Reflector)- http://www.reflector.com/news/house-oks-offshore-drilling-1113905

"CEO compensation up 6 percent in second straight year of increases: "...Alan Armstrong, the head of Williams Cos. Inc. and Williams Partners LP, was the second-highest paid CEO..." " (Tulsa World)- http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=49&articleid=20120624_51_E1_Ascorp510682

"Ferry Systems Look to Switch to Natural Gas : "...Ferryboat systems in the U.S. and Canada are considering a shift to natural gas from diesel fuel, another example of how the boom in gas from shale-rock formations is reshaping fuel markets. Hoping to limit fare increases, a British Columbia regulator, ferry system Commissioner Gord Macatee, is recommending that ferries be converted to natural gas "as soon as reasonably possible." Other ferry systems, from Staten Island, N.Y., to Washington state, are exploring similar changes as a way to reduce costs..." " (The Wall Street Journal)- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304441404577480431914734086.html

"White: Now get cracking and veto fracking: :...Perdue's office has received around 8,000 emails and thousands of phone calls urging her to put the brakes on fracking. That's wise. We still know too little about fracking's dangers - which may even include contributing to earthquakes. We certainly don't know enough to impose rigorous controls that guarantee it will be done safely. And let's be realistic about that. This is North Carolina, a state hardly famed for industrial safety practices. Industry is on a loose leash here, if there's any leash at all. I think fracking can be done safely, too, at least in theory. But I doubt it can be sure-thing safe now, or anytime soon..." " (Opinion, Fay Observer) (North Carolina)- http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/06/24/1186057

"State Line fire threatens homes, wells/Wind-whipped fire temporarily closes Highway 550 near Bondad: "...The fire threatened several homes and gas well pads near the southern end of La Posta Road (County Road 213), Imming said..." " (The Durango Herald) (Colorado)- http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20120624/NEWS01/706239921/State-Line-fire-threatens-homes-wells

"Roan Plateau Victory! Colorado Landmark to Get 'Second Look' : "...After nearly four years since these public lands were leased for oil and gas drilling in the waning days of the Bush administration against overwhelming public opposition, the Roan Plateau leases have been suspended...This is a victory for Colorado. For pure strains of native trout that find habitat there, for the outstanding recreational opportunities these popular pubic lands provide. The bottom line is the Bush plan was illegal. Now there will be another chance to work with the BLM to craft a sound and balanced plan for the Roan..." " (Colorado Pols) (Colorado)- http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/18009/breakingwildlife-and-conservation-groups-win-roan-plateau-lawsuit

"From the editorial advisory board: Drone wars : "...But before we get all one-sided about this, let's dream up a wish list of what could legitimately be done with drone surveillance. sIt's never too soon to remember that Colorado has 47,000 active oil and gas wells and a laughably small crew of 17 inspectors. Drones with infrared photography, deployed by counties in coordination with local on-ground efforts, could record evidence of spills and fugitive emissions of carcinogenic and heat-trapping gases from fracking operations. Counties can be more accountable to residents than other authorities, and local citizen volunteers could serve on boards as well as take on-ground footage of emissions close to home and family..." " (Boulder Daily Camera) (Colorado)- http://www.dailycamera.com/editorials/ci_20919321/from-editorial-advisory-board-drone-wars

"FUGLEBERG: Doll's comments were public: "...Since news broke that Wyoming Oil and Gas Supervisor Tom Doll had said some ill-advised things at a conference of state regulators in Canada, I’ve heard a lot of stories and questions about what he said and where he said it...After receiving yet another phone call, I emailed Soraghan, the EnergyWire reporter. I asked: Where and when did Doll make the comments? “Mr. Doll made those comments during a presentation he gave on the final day of the mid-year meeting of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission in Vancouver,” Soraghan wrote. “I would say a ‘public’ session, but it was in another country and I believe non-media had to pay to attend. But there wasn’t a bouncer at the door or anything.” Folks, Doll’s were not private comments, nor were they off the record..." " (Casper Star Tribune) (Wyoming)- http://trib.com/business/energy/fugleberg-doll-s-comments-were-public/article_09622ee0-b48f-51d3-92a2-77c7ff05d9f1.html

"South Texas school districts grapple with increased property values from Eagle Ford Shale: "...Because of the state's education funding formula, known as Robin Hood, the districts could end up giving the state some of their newfound wealth to be funneled to other, poorer districts...He acknowledged a $100 million increase in property values — up 18 percent from last year — might put the district in the wealthy column, but it also means the district will have to decide whether to capitalize on the windfall or lower its tax rate on property owners, a difficult and often painful choice..." " (Caller-Times) (Texas)- http://www.caller.com/news/2012/jun/24/south-texas-school-districts-grapple-with-values/?partner=RSS

"Viewer Photos: Gas Pipeline Explosion" (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth) (Texas)- http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Viewer-Photos-Gas-Well-Explosion-95806024.html

"Arlington council to vote on contract to train firefighters on gas well accidents: "...ARLINGTON -- With more than 300 natural gas wells in the city, Arlington plans to begin sending firefighters for specialized training from a Houston firm in techniques to protect neighborhoods better during well fires, gas releases and other industry-related incidents. The City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a $96,000 contract with Wild Well Control of Houston to train at least 48 firefighters and six fire inspectors over two years. As soon as next month, Arlington firefighters are expected to be fighting simulated gas well fires, oil leaks and gas leaks at Wild Well Control's training field, Assistant Fire Chief Jim Self said..." " (Star-Telegram) (Texas)- http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/24/4055343/arlington-council-to-vote-on-contract.html

"Northwest Barnett Shale is undergoing oil miniboom" (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) (Texas)- http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/22/4053259/northwest-barnett-shale-is-undergoing.html

"Editorial: Dallas should ban disposal wells: "...The Dallas City Council plans to vote in August on how it will regulate natural gas drilling within its city limits. A good place to start would be banning injection disposal wells. This should be a really easy decision. A recent study by the National Research Council concludes that injection wells drilled to get rid of chemically treated water used in hydraulic fracturing were the likely trigger of mild earthquakes in Johnson County, an assessment backed by SMU and UT researchers in other studies..." " (Opinion, The Dallas Morning News) (Texas)- http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20120624-editorial-dallas-should-ban-disposal-wells.ece

"Inglewood Oil Field's neighbors want answers about land shift: "...Now operated by Plains Exploration & Production Co., or PXP, the nation's largest urban oil field is at the center of a study that may provide some answers for residents. The study is on fracking — an efficient but controversial method of extracting oil and natural gas from areas once thought to be depleted — and results should be in hand by next month. Steve Rusch, vice president of the Texas-based company, said the study is the first of its kind in California. He acknowledges having received about a dozen claims from residents who allege damage to their homes was caused, at least in part, by PXP's drilling operations..." " (Los Angeles Times) (California)- http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-inglewood-fracking-20120624,0,1884563.story

"Army finding itself on the front line of environmental defence in Alberta: "...OTTAWA - In Afghanistan, Lt.-Col. Doug Claggett's mission was to protect the population from insurgents. Now as commander of one the country's biggest training bases he's still a guardian, but for a whole set of endangered species and tracts of wilderness. Claggett, who acted as chief of staff to the last Canadian task force in Kandahar, is in charge of Canadian Forces Base Suffield, Alta., which for over three decades has been at the centre of a quiet tug-of-war with the oil and gas industry. The army is finding itself increasingly on the front line of environmental defence...." " (The Canadian Press) (Canada)- http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/army+finding+itself+on+the+front+line+of+environmental+defence+in+alberta/6442667434/story.html & http://www.vancouversun.com/news/6833036/story.html

"Natural gas important to food security issues: Devine: "...Former Saskatchewan premier Grant Devine sees a key ingredient in the issue of food security of Saskatchewan as a substance dwelling beneath the earth all across the province, and pretty much everywhere else in North America — natural gas...He said the affordability, accessibility and abundance of natural gas is as such that it only makes sense for government, as well as the private and academic sectors to start working towards expanding the use of natural gas for energy needs, including operating large motors. Devine was one of many presenters speaking during the first session of the 19th annual Farming for … Profit Moose Jaw Conference at Heritage Inn on Sunday. The conference continues today at the same location..." " (The Moose Jaw Times Herald) (Canada)- http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/Local/News/2012-06-24/article-3016229/Natural-gas-important-to-food-security-issues

"Royal Oak residents rally against oil well near homes: "...Northwest residents gathered Sunday to protest a proposed oil well near a bustling shopping centre cheered news that provincial officials are mulling a new urban policy for oil and gas projects. Despite the drizzling rain, more than 100 Rocky Ridge and Royal Oak residents gathered to voice their concerns about Kaiser Exploration’s well near a Walmart off Country Hills Boulevard...“We don’t want it here. It’s just too close,” said Ward Sutherland of Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association. He said residents have expressed myriad concerns about the project, from the proximity of the site to residences, to concerns over its effect on traffic and the environment. Resident Brenda McGahey said she’s worried about an evacuation in the event of an accident or toxic leak. “There’s only two routes out of here . . . to get thousands of individuals out of here would be difficult. We need to know what their evacuation plan is and they don’t have one,” she said..." " (Calgary Herald) (Canada)- http://www.calgaryherald.com/Business/Royal+residents+rally+against+well+near+homes/6833854/story.html & http://www.canada.com/technology/Royal+residents+rally+against+well+near+homes/6833854/story.html

"Natural gas leak at storage facility near Regina: "...SaskEnergy was made aware of the leak in their storage cavern from two fronts around 9 Sunday morning. "Our monitors at gas control detected an abnormality and operations personnel were dipatched to the site immediately," said Vanessa Beaupre, a spokesperson for SaskEnergy. But at the same time a member of the public called their 24 hour line to inform them of a loud noise he heard, which turned out to be the sound of gas escaping. The leak occurred at SaskEnergy's Regina storage cavern facility approximately two kilomteres southwest of the city. Beaupre said it's good the gas is venting up and into the atmosphere. "It's venting upward and out of harm's way. However we have cordoned off the area as a precaution and for public safety." The venting won't harm wildlife or the surrounding area accoring to Beaupre. She emphasized that the public is not in any danger, and that the situation is under control..." " (CKOM) (Canada)- http://www.newstalk650.com/story/natural-gas-leak-storage-facility-near-regina/63038

International:

"06-24-12 Natural Gas Daily Report" (The Carbon Capture Report)- http://gas.carboncapturereport.org/cgi-bin//dailyreport?DATE=2012-06-24

"A rock and a hard place : "...While the debate rages over the safety of fracking and the potential for wider environmental impact, Taranaki secondary school teacher Sarah Roberts is dealing with the effects of 30 wells within a kilometre of her home. She lives with an omnipresent chemical stench which smells "like nail polish", she says. She deals with permanent flares that light up the night sky and she watches in horror as her neighbour takes "produced water" with toxic chemicals from the well and spreads it on his fields. One of the main objections to fracking is the handling of the thousands of litres of this "produced water" that comes up from a well once the gas starts to emerge. ..Cows graze the land in Taranaki doused with chemical-laden produced water, she claims. Ms Roberts watches her 14-year-old niece, who lives nearby, struggle with rashes, dizzy spells and nausea, and some parents at the local Ngaere school have forbidden their children to drink the water or even wash their hands because of fears about possible contamination..." " (Nelson Mail) (New Zealand)- http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/7163589/A-rock-and-a-hard-place

"Noa well starts supplying Israel with natural gas: "...Natural gas from the Noa field in the Mediterranean has started to flow, one of the partners of the exploration group said on Sunday, which will help Israel prevent an electricity shortage in the wake of Egypt's decision to cut natural gas supplies..." " (Reuters) (Israel)- http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/06/24/idUKL5E8HO1WW20120624

"Ex-Northern Alliance Leaders Challenge Kabul over Chinese Project: "...Anti-Taliban leaders of the former Northern Alliance coexist uneasily with the Kabul government and NATO in Afghanistan’s north. There, China proposes to explore and develop oil and gas fields and to build a transit pipeline for Turkmenistani gas via Afghanistan to China..." " (The Jamestown Foundation) (China & Afghanistan)- http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=39526&tx_ttnews[backPid]=27&cHash=cfc7f3c7255f58c2407c63a2889a0bab

"Gazprom Denies Price Discount until Sofia Accedes to South Stream: "...Bulgaria is under renewed pressure from Russia to sign the final investment agreement on the South Stream gas pipeline by November 15, 2012. Otherwise, Gazprom threatens to forsake the promised 11 percent discount for natural gas supplies, which was supposed to be given for the period April-December 2012, but never came into effect. Gazprom claims that the discount is dependent on Sofia’s commitment to the South Stream pipeline, which will bring Russian gas to Europe along the Black Sea bed, bypassing Ukraine..." " (The Jamestown Foundation) (Bulgaria & Russia)- http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=39522&tx_ttnews[backPid]=27&cHash=c6e9a4b7d7f933910f8b3aa5b574376c

"Shifting Sands in Romania Shale Gas Debate: "...In March 2012, representatives of center-left political opposition led by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), filed a legislative initiative with the Romanian Senate Secretariat that would prohibit the exploration of the unconventional gas using the hydraulic fracturing method...Recent developments indicate that the debate on shale gas development appears be about to be re-visited. On Thursday, June 21st, the March proposal to ban shale gas exploration and exploitation by hydraulic fracturing and cancellation of exclusive licenses granted for exploration projects that making use of this technique, was voted upon and rejected by Romanian Senate. The proposal received 11 votes in favor, 53 against, with 9 abstentions. Those voting in opposition included the representatives of the PSD, the very party that proposed the legislation. It appears that PSD and the Ponta government has changed its position on shale gas development during the period that has passed since March 2012, when it was in opposition..." " (Natural Gas Europe) (Romania)- http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/romania-senate-rejects-fracking-ban

"RBA fears natural gas boom could overheat economy : "...AUSTRALIA'S natural gas boom threatens to set off a new round of interest rate hikes, pushing economic growth above the level with which the Reserve Bank is comfortable..." " (The Sydney Morining Herald) (Australia)- http://www.smh.com.au/business/rba-fears-natural-gas-boom-could-overheat-economy-20120624-20wg6.html

"Hills councillors fire up over coal seam gas: "...HILLS Labor councillors have united to stop future coal seam gas mining in the Hills. At last week's council meeting, Cr Barbara Burton called on the state government to stop the issue of exploration licences until proper regulations were in place..." " (Rouse Hill Times) (Australia)- http://rouse-hill-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hills-councillors-fire-up-over-coal-seam-gas/

"One man to make environmental call on Browse: "...The crucial environmental recommendations over plans for a $35 billion gas hub at James Price Point will be made by only one man, after conflicts of interest struck four out of five WA Environmental Protection Authority board members off the Browse LNG Project assessment. The EPA has confirmed the "unprecedented" situation for the proposal's assessment, where chairman Paul Vogel is the only member of the board without a conflict of interest. The revelation comes only days before the environmental watchdog is expected to hand down its verdict on the project, which has already attracted heated opposition from environmental lobbies and some Aboriginal groups in the region..." " (The Sydney Moring Herald) (Australia)- http://www.smh.com.au/wa-news/one-man-to-make-environmental-call-on-browse-20120625-20xjw.html