Patch Poll: When It Comes to Marcellus Shale, What Source Do You Most Trust?

As the Marcellus Shale industry expands in western Pennsylvania—and individual property owners start to benefit—issues often become controversial, especially when it comes to the environment.

Marcellus Shale is here to stay. Like its natural resource predecessors—coal deep mining and strip mining, natural gas and oil wells, and logging—Marcellus Shale drilling brings jobs and a source of energy for businesses and consumers. Like its predessors, Marcellus Shale drilling also brings and will most likely leave behind environmental concerns. Today, there's mine insurance today for those who own homes and businesses above areas that were mined for coal 100 or more years ago. Reclamation efforts were mandated in 1977 to restore areas destroyed by strip mining and why there's always a danger of an oil or gas well fire or leak into waterways. Reforestation replaces trees lost to the logging industry. Already, Marcellus Shale has raised…

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Martin Schmotzer Thanks Constituents as Term Ends

The state representative calls for new direction in Harrisburg.

State Rep. Martin Michael Schmotzer has issued a news release to thank the residents of Pennsylvania's 22nd House District for the opportunity to serve them. Schmotzer's term in the House comes to a close today, Nov. 30. "It's been an honor to serve and represent the people of the 22nd District," Schmotzer said in a statement released this week, "from Brookline and Beechview to Baldwin (Township) and Whitehall (Borough). I kept all my promises to you. I had a 100-percent voting record, I didn't take the health care coverage, and I showed up for work every day. "The most important votes I cast were probably those dealing with the (state) budget," the Democrat and longtime Baldwin-Whitehall School Board member from Whitehall said. "I was …

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State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

'A Win for Local Government'

The Marcellus Shale industry could have great potential in Pennsylvania—if things are done correctly, state Sen. Wayne Fontana says.

Over five months ago, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed House Bill 1950 (HB 1950), which later became Act 13, a comprehensive law that deals with many aspects of the Marcellus Shale and how the industry operates in our state. Included in the new law are annual well fees, updates of various regulations, and the duties of the Public Utility Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). One of the most controversial portions of Act 13 deals with local government zoning controls or the lack thereof. When it comes to local issues, the people who live in these municipalities are often the ones who know what is best when it comes to their communities. Many feel that Act 13 strips municipalities of their rights …

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Letter: Grading the State Budget on Education

A TEACH (Tell Everyone All Cuts Hurt) representative from Steel Valley School District takes a look at the state budget priorities.

Hey, Taxpayer, While you were out trying to avoid heatstroke this summer, your state government actually did something. The Pennsylvania legislature passed another one of those pesky budgets determining exactly what your taxes have bought you this year.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind paying taxes if I get a good return on my investment. And what better investment than our children, our future? I’m speaking, of course, about public education. So was this a good return? Let’s see: GOOD NEWS PA. BUDGET PASSED HIGHER THAN GOVERNOR WANTED: Last year, the Legislature cut $818 million from public schools—especially the poorest ones. This year, the Gov. Corbett wanted $94 million in additional cuts, but instead the legislature voted to …

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Republicans Come Out to Support Romney in Pittsburgh

Republicans Tim Pawlenty and Bobby Jindal stopped in Oakland Friday on their bus tour of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Pittsburgh was a political playground Friday, with the Democratic and Republican parties rallying only hours apart. U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy (R-Upper St. Clair), former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal stopped by Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland to show their support for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. All three spoke mainly about jobs and the economy.  Pawlenty and Jindal, both Republican vice presidential hopefuls, are touring Pennsylvania and Ohio on the tail of President Barack Obama's “Betting on America” bus tour, which stopped just blocks away on Friday at Carnegie Mellon University in Oakland. During the rally, Murphy spoke out about the importance of this upcoming election…

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State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

Fontana Discusses New Shell Energy Facility in PA

State Sen. Wayne Fontana says the new facility would have its benefits, but that the state needs to benefit from the business as well.

Being from western Pennsylvania, I understand what a great region is it to live in and I’m always looking for new ways to attract and entice businesses to set up shop here. As many of us may remember, our area was once a thriving coal and steel industry. However, due to the demand diminishing for coal and steel, western PA has experienced an economic decline over the past several decades. With that being said, I believe our ideal location can serve us great pride in the near future. Recently, Governor Corbett made headlines with the announcement that Shell, an energy and petrochemical company, is looking to build a new ethylene “cracker” facility to process wet gases from the Marcellus Shale in Beaver County. An agreement was signed that …

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Tell Us: Your Take On Corbett's $1.65B Shell Oil Tax Break?

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to give Shell Oil a $1.65 billion tax break?

Gov. Tom Corbett wants to give Shell Oil tax credits worth $1.65 billion over 25 years so the company will build a refinery in western Pennsylvania to capitalize on the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom, according to Businessweek. Corbett says the deal could help reinvigorate manufacturing in Pennsylvania and create jobs. Critics say Shell would probably bring its business to the state without the tax incentives. Corbett has also been criticized for cutting social service and school funding. Shell is the world's second largest company by revenue and made profits of $31 billion last year. Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.

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PatchCast: Boy Hit by Car, Gas Drilling Concerns & World Record Rowing

A roundup of the region's top weekly articles.

Here's this week's top stories from Patch sites in your area: Young Boy Struck By Car in Bridgeville Marcellus Shale/South Hills C.C. Talk Dominates Crowded Whitehall Boro Meeting 'Piehead: (A Kinda True Story)' Hits Destinta Thursday Rowing Duo Hopes to Set World Record Sarris Candies, Pittsburgh Artist Team Up on Delicious Depiction Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.

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PatchCast: House Fire, Tunnel Construction & Dancing Celebrities

A roundup of the region's top local stories.

Here's a look at the top stories this week from Patch sites in your area: UPDATES: Fireman Falls Through Floor Fighting Churchview Avenue Blaze Cecil Township Exploring Legal Challenge to Marcellus Shale Law Liberty Tunnel Improvements, Restrictions Continue Wednesday Dancing With the Celebrities Will Feature Upper St. Clair Man New Shop Serves Up Cupcakes N'At Merante Brothers to Bring Neighborhood Market Back to Life Follow Dormont-Brookline Patch on Facebook and Twitter. For more news, sign up for our email Newsletter.

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State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

Marcellus Shale Legislation Inadequate, State Sen. Fontana Says

State Sen. Wayne Fontana discusses the legislation passed, as well as his vote against the legislation.

Last week was a busy week for the Legislature. After years of debating, the General Assembly passed Marcellus Shale legislation, which was sent to the Governor and signed into law on Feb. 13. House Bill 1950 (HB 1950) is a complex bill that covers many aspects of the industry. Marcellus Shale is a deep geologic formation that underlies 54 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Pennsylvania ranks No. 15 among the states in natural gas production; however, it is the only major state with fossil fuel deposits that did not have a severance tax or impact fee. In fact, all 14 states with a greater natural gas production than Pennsylvania have levied a severance tax or a conservation fee, all with a higher tax than what has been proposed for our state. …

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