In This Issue:

- Northeast Natural Energy, LLC Making History for the Future of Energy:

Entrepreneurs are a special breed. The good ones have that special blend of vision, timing and risk tolerance most others lack. The really good ones find a way to use their special talents to make their communities a better place to live and work. Mike John is a really good entrepreneur...

- USEPA and Army Corps of Engineers Release Final Clean Water Rule:

On May 27, 2015, the USEPA and Army Corps of Engineers issued the rebranded Clean Water Rule. Initial review reveals the Rule constitutes a significant expansion of regulatory authority. By the agencies' own estimation, the Rule will result in an increase of positive jurisdictional determinations...

- Regulators Remove Hurdles for Shell's Ethane Cracker Plant in Beaver County, Pa.

The Pennsylvania DEP has granted an air permit, stormwater discharge permit and a water obstruction and encroachment permit for Shell's potential petrochemical complex. While the company has not announced a final decision to build the plant, obtaining these permits has helped clear some hurdles...

- WVU Weighs In on the EPA's Landmark Fracking Study:

According the EPA's latest study, fracking has not had a significant impact on water supplies. However, the agency concedes that poor handling and storage can cause issues. WVU experts explain that ongoing research to improve these technologies is essential to environmental stewardship...

- The Pipelines Are Coming and the Marcellus Shale Prepares:

In just three years, the Marcellus Shale can expect to see 17 pipeline projects shipping natural gas from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. These pipelines should be able to handle a vast majority of increased need from the Midwest and New England areas, and also ship to eastern Canada and the South....

- Coal and Natural Gas - Sharing Water and a Future:

The Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has approved a bill that would allow the use of coal mine water to be used in the fracking process. The bill, if passed, would decrease the amount of fresh water needed by natural gas operators...