In This Issue:

- West Virginia Senate Bill 423 Amends Aboveground Storage Tank Act:

Even before the June 6, 2014 effective date of the Aboveground Storage Tank Act (the "AST Act" or "Act"), W. Va. Code §§ 22-30-1 et seq., representatives of the industries most impacted by the expansive and detailed AST Act had been working to educate the public, regulators and legislators about the more burdensome and overreaching provisions of the Act....

- Utica Shale Production Up More Than 18 Percent, Natural Gas Production Up More Than 25 Percent:

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the fourth quarter of 2014 saw an increase in natural gas production. Production from 779 horizontal Utica Shale wells jumped 18.1 percent. Natural gas production increased 25.6 percent. That's a 200 percent increase in oil production and 300 percent increase in natural gas production since 2012-2013. Will 2015 see the same production numbers?

- Will LNG Exports Reduce Global GHG Emissions? New Study Says Yes.

A study by Carnegie Mellon University has found that exporting natural gas from the U.S. can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study also found that exports from the U.S. would have lower methane emissions than exports from Russia or Europe. Why the difference with natural gas from the U.S.?

- Speaking of Exports - The Chemical Industry Reaping the Benefits:

The American Chemistry Council recently reported that the U.S. shale industry will have a positive impact on manufacturing and the economy. It's expected that gross exports of shale gas derived chemical products will double, trade surplus for selected chemicals will increase, investments by U.S. chemical companies in shale-related projects are up, and the shale "revolution" will provide long-term competitive advantage for chemical manufacturers...

- North Central Pennsylvania and State Forest Lands Could be the Key to Large Reserves of Utica Shale Gas:

Seneca Resources has announced the successful completion of a well on state forest land in Tioga County. The test well generated 22.7 million cubic feet of natural gas daily, with expectations of one trillion cubic feet within Seneca's 100,000 acres. With this huge amount of shale gas potential, will the pipeline infrastructure follow?