You cannot talk about the “Shale Boom” without talking about Pennsylvania. Coal and steel were once the lifeblood of the Keystone State but today’s industry is being re-born thanks to the natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale. The Appalachian range that stretches from the Southwest corner of the state […]
Legal Voice Blog
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Fracking Across the Pond
As hydraulic fracturing has spread inexorably across the United States, other countries have taken notice and are looking to follow America’s lead and capitalize on the benefits associated with shale gas. But along with this growing foreign interest in fracking comes a healthy dose of skepticism – which is very […]
Looking Ahead: Global Leaders Predict Future Economic Growth Will Be Dominated By Traditional Fossils Fuels, Not Renewable Energy
Today’s energy industry is driven by a multitude of factors. Most importantly, the world has recognized the scarcity of fossil fuels and the importance of focusing development on energy sources that are more sustainable, renewable, and efficient. However, three of the world’s largest energy companies, Exxon Mobil Corporation, BP, and […]
Colorado Flooding Sheds Light on Need for Better Oil and Gas Regulations
The September flooding in Colorado has caused many environmental concerns including erosion, sewage spills, and oil spills. The affects of the flooding on the oil and gas industry in particular have garnered national attention.Flooding devastated much of northeastern Colorado,including Weld County, the most heavily drilled county in the United States. […]
The Future of Oil and Gas Development: Eagle Ford Shale Play?
In recent years, oil and gas development in the United States has reached such a high level of public prominence that most people have become familiar with terms like “fracking,” “Marcellus,” and “Utica.” Oil and gas attorneys undoubtedly could offer explanations on a few more: “Onondaga,” “well casing,” “impoundment pond.” […]
What the Frack?: The Obama Administration’s Fracking Regulations
“For the first time in 18 years, America is poised to produce more of our own oil than we buy from other nations. And today, we produce more natural gas than anybody else. So we’re producing energy. And these advances have grown our economy, they’ve created new jobs, they can’t […]
Oil-Eating Bacteria: A Tool to Cleaning Up Oil Spills
In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill devastated the Gulf Coast region affecting wildlife, industry, and the economy. As a result of the spill, BP was ordered to pay more than $4.5 billion in damages. Following the spill, the US government began collecting and analyzing extensive data to learn how […]
Pennsylvania’s Clean and Green Act: Amendments to Balance Land Preservation with Energy Development
In 1974, Pennsylvania passed into effect Act 319 entitled, “The Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act”. More commonly known as the “Clean and Green Act”, this act provides a preferential tax assessment for land used for agricultural and forestry purposes. The purpose of the act is to encourage landowners […]
Bell v. GenOn: A Transformation of Operator Liability?
On August 20, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Third Circuit) held that a class of nearly 1500 residents could sue a coal-fired power plant under state tort law for damage caused to their property although the plant was in full compliance with the Clean […]