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A look at how energy extraction is reshaping Pennsylvania’s economy.

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February 28, 2013

Idea for Philadelphia LNG Export Terminal Floated at Council Hearing

Philadelphia’s deep water port and access to rail lines would make the city an ideal location for a liquefied natural gas export terminal, industry representatives told City Council members on Wednesday. But they need to move fast. “Through some confidential discussions that we’ve had we know there’s a keen interest in Philadelphia as a location [...]

February 24, 2013
February 7, 2013

The Fate of European Shale

The Economist published this map of European shale plays, including which countries have fracking bans, and which have permitted drilling. But according to the article, it will be at least a decade before any real production occurs. More from The Economist: It is too early to tell whether Europe’s shale beds will really prove as [...]

February 1, 2013

How Weather Can Disrupt the Flow at the Pump

When Hurricane Sandy created a gasoline shortage and rationing in New York this past November, it came as a surprise to many. But the high winds and flooding caused by hurricanes aren’t the only weather related disruptions to gasoline distribution, according to an EIA release. Droughts, frozen waterways, and blizzards can all bring the transport of [...]

January 30, 2013

McClendon Steps Down From Chesapeake Energy

The controversial head of the energy giant operating more Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale wells than any other company is retiring later this year. StateImpact Oklahoma has more on the scrutiny Chesapeake Energy faced in the months before CEO Aubrey McClendon decided to step down:

January 14, 2013

Energy Entrepreneurs Market Sand Alternative To Fracking Companies

FuelFix takes a look at the latest group of businesses trying to make money off of the domestic shale drilling boom: companies producing ceramic beads that can be used instead of sand in hydraulic fracturing mixes. Sand plays an important role in the fracking process: the grains help maintain the cracks in the shale rock [...]

Philadelphia Heat Supplier Shifts From Oil To Natural Gas

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Rob Powelson cut the ribbon today on a $60 million upgrade to the power plant that runs the Center City steam loop. The century-old facility, which provides steam heat to 300 Philadelphia customers, has converted from fuel oil to natural gas. The Inquirer has more [...]

January 4, 2013

Butter Today, Energy Tomorrow: How The Farm Show Butter Sculpture Is Turned Into Power

It’s that time of year again – the Pennsylvania Farm Show has unveiled the 2013 butter sculpture. This year’s creation is quite elaborate, as sculptor Jim Victor told witf’s Mary Wilson. “There’s Pennsylvania Christmas trees in there and there’s maple syrup and there’s wine and there’s poultry and there’s you know all the stuff, the hard woods,” [...]

December 28, 2012

Hollywood’s Matt Damon Takes on Fracking in ‘Promised Land’

Fracking has made it to the big screen. Just three years ago, few beyond the drilling industry, had heard of it. Now fracking has turned up in The Rolling Stone’s new album. And on Friday, a Hollywood production with big name actors, directors and writers hits the theaters in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. [...]

December 27, 2012

AP: 2012 A Big Year For Marcellus Shale

An AP analysis concludes that despite low natural gas prices, the Marcellus Shale established itself as a major energy source in 2012: According to the federal energy reports Marcellus wells in Pennsylvania and West Virginia now produce 7 billion cubic feet of gas per day. That’s about 25 percent of all shale gas production nationwide, [...]

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