Marcellus Shale

Pennsylvania is experiencing not a gold rush but a gas rush of activity around Marcellus Shale drilling, as industry rushes to drill while regulators and environmentalists sprint to keep up.  Prior to allowing shale gas development in the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania should have conducted a thorough examination of the risks associated with this new industry and adopted a regulatory framework sufficient to protect communities, the environment, and human health from these risks.  Instead, Pennsylvania has allowed this industry to grow at an astonishing rate in a regulatory environment inadequate to address the challenges it poses.

While Pennsylvania should have pursued a more cautious, deliberative approach, the reality is that the shale gas industry is here, and its impact on our air, our water, and our communities cannot be ignored.  GASP supports efforts to minimize these impacts.  Our own efforts to address the environmental impacts of this industry include reviewing proposed DEP permits and rulemakings, engaging in litigation efforts, promoting public awareness of health and environmental issues related to shale gas development, and encouraging citizen participation in the regulatory process.

Citizens making comments on Marcellus permit applications is a powerful tool in the fight to reduce air pollution.  Please see our Citizen Handbook for making effective comments.  This handbook explains the legal and regulatory structure for Marcellus activity, and how you can have a say in the process.

See all of our recent public comments here, or see below some highlights from GASP’s work:

  • Comments made to PA DEP concerning their Plan Approval and Exemption List, March 19, 2013.
  • Comments made to PA DEP regarding the Twilight and the Shamrock Compressor Stations.  November 26, 2012.
  • Comments made to PA DEP regarding the Title V Operating Permit Renewal for the Texas Eastern Transmission Holbrook Compressor Station.  July 30, 2012.
  • Comments made to PA DEP concerning changes to GP-5, or General Permit 5.  May 23, 2012.
  • Work regarding the proposed compressor station in Frazer Township, the first Marcellus compressor station in Allegheny County.  Click here for all information related to this proposed facility.
  • “Gas Rush Stories” Part 5 and “Gas Rush Stories Unedited,” documentary clips featuring Joe Osborne, our Legal Director.  January 2012.
  • Letter to PA DEP concerning their emissions inventory for unconventional gas operations.  January 17, 2012.
  • Comments made to PA DEP regarding their single stationary source determinations.  November 11, 2011.
  • Comments of Jamin Bogi, Education & Outreach Coordinator, to members of the PA Legislature and media.  November 1, 2011.
  • Testimony of Legal Director Joe Osborne to the Marcellus Air Issues Policy Committee Hearing on October 12, 2011, co-chaired by State Representative Greg Vitali.

Stay current on the latest news by visiting Pipeline, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s one-stop-shop for Marcellus information, or State Impact PA, a project of NPR and others.  Click here to see a list of other organizations that are active in Marcellus work, many of whom GASP partners with on various projects and outreach efforts.