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Breaking News: America's Next Energy Hub - Philadelphia Dealt Major Setback

In 2012, the city of Philadelphia announced plans to privatize the Philadelphia Gas Works ("PGW"), the nation's largest municipality-owned natural gas utility with more than 6,000 miles of gas mains and service pipes supplying approximately 500,000 customers in the city of Philadelphia. 

 

The sale was positioned as a means to fix the municipal pension fund as well as the centerpiece of an energy hub. 

 

In May 2014, it was announced that UIL holdings, the Connecticut-based gas and electric utility holding company, had purchased PGW for $1.86 billion.   

 

However, the Philadelphia City Council has stepped in and dealt Philadelphia and UIL a major setback.

 

Click here to read the entire article.
In The News
First Long-Term Comprehensive Field Study of Natural Gas Underway
West Virginia University, along with other researchers, such as The Ohio State University and industrial partner Northeast Natural Energy, have engaged with the U.S. Department of Energy in a five-year, $11 million agreement to create and manage the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory.

Click here to read how this may impact industrial knowledge and future drilling techniques. 
1,000 More Miles of Pipeline Planned to Help Move Marcellus and Utica Shale Gas
Several regions plan to add significant amounts of pipeline to move the large amount of natural gas and natural gas liquids coming from the Marcellus and Utica Shales.

Click here to read where the newest pipelines are proposed.
Recession? What Recession? How the Gas Industry Saved the Labor Force
According to a recent study by the University of Illinois, Marcellus development operations raised spending for construction and maintenance in 2012-2013 - lifting the entire skilled labor force. 

Click here to read about the study.
Why Cracker Plants? The Plastics and Tech Sectors Know
Many are questioning whether the number of proposed ethane cracker plants planned for Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia make sense for the region. The plastics and tech sectors say these plants are crucial.

Click here to learn more about the ethylene chain.
Legal Authority Disagreements and Fracking Bans - Complicating Issues
Local authorities and their fracking bans are posing complicated legal issues when it comes to regulation at the state level. With the Ohio Supreme Court about to enter the fray, many await to see the outcome and the effects.

Click here to read more about these bans and the question of legality.
Featured Shale Team Member
David L. Yaussy (Charleston, W.Va.)
Mr. Yaussy is a Member of the firm and Chair of our Environmental Practice Group. He is an accomplished attorney with nearly 30 years of experience assisting clients in the areas of energy and environmental law. His practice encompasses environmental litigation, environmental permitting, and administrative appeals for the natural gas, chemical, manufacturing, silviculture and agricultural industries. Mr. Yaussy is a member of the West Virginia Bar Association, the Kanawha County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. In addition, he is a trustee with the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. He is also BV® Distinguished™ Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. 
Excellence. Value. Get There.
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