Morning News: This American Life, Methane Migration, and Corbett's Shale Commission

If you’re a public radio fan, you might have caught part of This American Life this weekend. The show looked at Pennsylvania’s natural gas drilling boom, with a focus on a local ordinance fight between Range Resources and a Washington County township.

Municipalities’ ability to set their own zoning rules is a major factor in the debate over whether or not to enact a drilling impact fee. Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati’s bill, SB 1100, would create a statewide standard for drilling ordinances, and bar townships and boroughs who impose stricter rules from receiving any fee revenue.
Governor Corbett’s 30-member Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission will play a major role in whether or not that fee will become law. Former Podcast Pal John Micek takes a look at what happens next with the commission, beginning with this Friday’s vote on policy recommendations.
Nearly every high-profile drilling problem in Pennsylvania has stemmed from methane gas contaminating drinking wells. The Scranton Times-Tribune has a great article explaining the geological and structural factors that lead to methane migration.
And finally, here’s last night’s 60 Minutes report on natural gas drilling and the “shaleionares” it’s creating. (The story originally aired in November.)

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