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A 24-year-old man is dead after a large piece of pipe crushed him at natural gas well site near Tionesta. Brandon Pennywell of Harrisburg died instantly when the pipe slipped, crushing him between it and a large beam, according to Forest County Coroner Norman Wimer. A team of workers was placing the pipe together with another piece when the accident happened at about 8:20 a.m.. Pennywell was employed by Patterson-UTI drilling, a subcontractor hired by Seneca Resources. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Jefferson County Development Council has been awarded a $2 million state grant to oversee the construction of infrastructure needed for the development of a new business park in Jefferson County, according to State Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) and State Representative Sam Smith (R-66), who helped obtain funding for the economic development project. The funding is being made available through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is intended to assist in the immediate creation of quality, family-sustaining jobs. The project involves redeveloping a former strip-mined property located at Exit 81 of Interstate 80 into a 147-acre business park, focusing on energy-related projects; including Marcellus Shale-related businesses, light manufacturing and warehouse and distribution companies. “Due to the huge growth in the Marcellus Shale industry and the need for industrial sites in this region, this proposed industrial business park will be an essential component of economic...

At least one House Democrat leader has concluded that the only impact of Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania has been increased business at local establishments and promiscuity. “Talk about wrong-headed, misinformed, archaic, and just shocking,” said Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming), the House Republican Caucus Chair. “The House Democrat leadership attitude, after studying the impacts of the Marcellus Shale industry in Pennsylvania, is insulting.” “Drunks and promiscuous ‘womenfolk’ – that is what the House Democrat leaders are calling the hard-working men and women living within the Marcellus Shale region,” Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland County) said. “Who can really support such notions from leaders who think so little of those working in a growing industry?” “The people of this Commonwealth deserve better than hyperbole or fear mongering.” Rep. Matt Baker (Bradford/Tioga Counties) said. “The hate-speech, misinformation, stereotyping and sensationa...

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on the hydraulic fracturing well blowback incident today in Bradford County. Senator Casey has introduced legislation to improve safety for workers and emergency response procedures at drilling sites as well as legislation to protect drinking water and require public disclosure of chemicals used in the fracking process. “My office has been in contact with state and local officials to see if any federal assistance is needed after the blowback in Bradford County,” said Senator Casey. “I will continue to monitor the situation as the investigation continues and more details are known. Natural gas drilling offers Pennsylvania a great economic opportunity. However, incidents like this blowback are a reminder that there are dangers and that precautions must be taken to protect the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians.” Senator Casey's Faster Action Safety Team Emergency Response (FASTER) Act provides ...

Penn State Cooperative Extension and the University of Pitt at Bradford Outreach Services are teaming up to offer a series of three educational seminars on Marcellus Shale at the University of Pitt at Bradford Campus in Bradford. The first session is entitled “Marcellus Shale Gas Wells: What You Need to Know About the Natural Gas Infrastructure, Development, and the Economics of it All” and will be taught by Penn State Extension Educator, Tom Murphy, who is based in Lycoming County and leads the Extension Marcellus Shale team for Penn State Extension. The first session is set for this Thursday, September 17, 2009, from 6 to 8 PM in the Webb/Bradford Forest Rehearsal Hall. The second session is entitled “Natural Gas Wells and Drinking Water” and will be taught by local Extension Educator, Jim Clark, and Extension Water Specialist, Bryan Swistock, based at PSU. This session will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2009, from 6 to 8 PM in room 237 of Swartz Hall. The third and final session is en...

The State Department of Environmental Protection has issued 73 permits Monday that will allow drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation. The permits include enhanced protection for water resources, which DEP says is important because the drilling process produces contaminated water as a byproduct. DEP's Tom Rathbun says after the companies drill down 5,000 to 8,000 feet, they drill horizontally, then they take water mixed with sand, and other proponents, and blast it out through the shale. Rathbun says right now most of the activity is purchasing and leasing of mineral rights and "very few of the wells are online and producing." In this area, 2 permits each were issued for McKean, Potter and Elk counties on Monday. ( DEP's Map of All Drilling Permits Issued PDF) Rathbun says the permits "regulate how a drilling company can go into an area and prepare a site for drilling." DEP wants to "make sure (they) have consistent rules in place stat...