Marcellus is Cleaner than Coal

            Researchers at Cornell University did a study in April, claiming that after taking into account all of the facets of natural gas production, including drilling, transportation, and usage, that it actually has a worse impact on the environment than coal.

            Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University just completed a study in early August that came to the opposite conclusion, that Marcellus shale natural gas is in fact better for the environment than coal, as was previously assumed.

            The study at Cornell had numerous faults, that were even acknowledged by the authors of the study (Robert Hawarth and Anthony Ingraffea), including data that was not directly associated with Marcellus Shale production.

Finding a place to drill is easy, but...

            Finding a place to drill for Marcellus shale is relatively easy, but the problem seems to be finding a place to put the pipelines.

            With more than half the applications for new pipelines to the federal government coming from Pennsylvania, it is clear why developing the infrastructure to handle this surge in natural gas production could be rather tricky. 

            Environmental, federal, and logistical restrictions may slow or complicate the construction of new pipelines, but Marcellus production is still increasing, and faster than it ever has before.