skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Deep Public Concern About Marcellus Drilling In WV

play audio
Play

Friday, February 18, 2011   

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Legislators got an earful Thursday from people worried about the impact of the fast-growing practics of extracting natural gas from West Virginia's Marcellus shale.

More members of the public wanted to speak on proposed Marcellus drilling regulations than time allowed during the open hearing. Most, such as Wetzel County farmer Marty Whiteman, say they are concerned about water pollution and damage to roads and land. Whiteman says drilling cost him a big portion of his hay production.

"When they come in, they told us we would not be affected at all, that this would be a minor inconvenience. And it's been devastation."

One key issue is "pooling," designed to deal with the way gas moves under property lines by allowing production that crosses the boundaries and dividing profits among neighbors. Some of the smaller gas companies oppose pooling, and landowners are divided. Many large drillers argue that it would limit damage to the land and water, while being fair to mineral-rights owners. Scott Rotruck, vice president of Chesapeake Energy, takes that position.

"We need pooling. Pooling will help us limit the environmental impact of shale development, and it will help protect people's property rights. It's good environmentally and it's good economically. Everybody will get paid for their property."

Not yet included in the legislation is regulation of possible air pollution resulting from the drilling and processing of natural gas. Elizabeth Mow of Buckhannon, who describes herself as a concerned citizen, wants the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to tackle that issue.

"I'm particularly concerned about the protection of air quality, the release of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. If the DEP does not have the authority to regulate this, it should be given the authority."

New figures from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy suggest the counties with the most gas production are the ones that need economic development the most. Some speakers were worried that over-regulation could stall one of the state's fastest-growing industries, but some companies within the industry support the rules now being drafted, including increased fees to pay for new well inspectors.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021