A Bradford County natural gas well is back under control, after a hydraulic fracturing fluid leak that lasted nearly 20 hours.
Chesapeake Energy says initial testing has found little impact on waterways from the spill. The company says the problem began just before midnight Tuesday, during “well completion activities” at a Leroy Township site.
Skip Roupp, the Deputy Director for Bradford County’s Emergency Management Agency, says there are some homes downhill from the spill. "Did the water get into people’s wells? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know yet. But those will be things to determine,” he said in an interview with Binghamton, New York-based public radio station WSKG.
Seven families were temporarily evacuated because of the spill, which was contained on Wednesday evening. All but one have returned to their homes. Chesapeake maintains there weren’t any injuries or gas emissions.
Chesapeake says crews have built a containment system to divert tainted water from Towanda Creek.
Roupp estimated “thousands of gallons” of chemical and salt-laden fracking fluid spilled from the site. “It’s an environmental problem. …If it got down to where the trout were, if it gets salty it would kill the fish.” As big of a mess the spill is, Roupp pointed out it could have been worse. “I’m much happier with it being water than gas,” he said. “If it were gas – if we had a major blowout with gas, then we would have a major explosion, which we didn’t have. Or we would have unexploded gas, which is an even bigger concern for me.”
The company blames equipment failure for causing the blowout. Fracking fluid spewed out of the well bore, escaped containment, crossed over farm fields and went into a stream.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Pittsburgh Prison Probe
A union official with Western Penitentiary (SCI-Pittsburgh) says 8 guards have been suspended without pay because of an unspecified ethics investigation. However, state prison official are unwilling to confirm or deny that. David Mandella, vice president of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, says one guard has missed 75 working days without being told specifically what's being investigated. A spokeswoman says the Superintendent at SCI-Pittsburgh has declined to comment on the investigation.
Mandella says the guards are appealing their suspensions to the Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission.
U.S. and Allegheny County prosecutors are not commenting on whether they are involved in the investigation.
Mandella says the guards are appealing their suspensions to the Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission.
U.S. and Allegheny County prosecutors are not commenting on whether they are involved in the investigation.
Attorney General Race Gets New Face
Former Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy is running for Attorney General of Pennsylvania, and he’s entering the race with broad support from party leaders. Former Democratic Chair T.J. Rooney, 2010 gubernatorial nominee Dan Onorato, and Congressmen Tim Holden, Jason Altmire and Chaka Fattah are endorsing his run, along with nearly a dozen state representatives and senators.
In a phone interview, Murphy said he’s running because, “The people of Pennsylvania need someone to stand up for them. …They need someone who’s going protect them against criminals on the street, from big special interests who prey against our most vulnerable, including seniors, and they need an outsider to Harrisburg who will root out corruption.”
“I spent my life fighting for people,” he said. “In the Army I prosecuted terrorists who tried to kill American soldiers. I tried criminals who broke the law, and I taught con law at West Point.” Murphy, who lost his seat to Republican Mike Fitzpatrick last year, was the first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress. His House career encapsulated the country’s political swings: he won in the big Democratic cycles of 2006 and 2008, but lost during last year’s Republican surge.
Murphy praised then-Attorney General Tom Corbett’s investigation of corruption at the state Capitol, saying, “People in Pennsylvania are tired of folks there who are feathering their own nest. We need to make a higher priority, moving forward, of prosecuting public corruption.” When asked whether he would have handled the investigation differently, Murphy repeated the “feathering their own nest” line. He declined to comment on whether he thought Corbett had spent more time investigating Democrats than Republicans, as many in Murphy’s party have claimed. If the “Bonusgate” investigation is still open after he takes office, Murphy said he would “absolutely” continue it.
Murphy is perhaps best known for authoring last year’s federal law overturning the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which barred gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces. He brushed aside a question about whether the issue will hurt in the conservative portion of the state frequently referred to as “the T.” “I learned Central Pennsylvania values when I worked at a factory – at the Reese’s factory in Hershey. And I went to school in central Pennsylvania,” said Murphy. “And I will tell you: most central Pennsylvanians and the folks across Pennsylvania agree where I do. That if you’re willing to take a bullet to keep our families safe and serve in uniform, you should be able to do-so openly.” A Washington Post/ABC News poll taken at the time of last year’s Congressional vote showed nearly 80 percent of Americans supported the repeal.
(Murphy repeated his line about “learning Central Pennsylvania values at…the Reese’s plant” several times throughout our conversation.)
The Office of the Attorney General hasn’t been kind to Democrats: Republicans have held the post ever since it became an elected position in 1980. Murphy is the first high-profile candidate to enter the race. No Republicans have announced a run, and Corbett’s pick to fill out his term, assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Kelly, has promised not to run in 2012.
In a phone interview, Murphy said he’s running because, “The people of Pennsylvania need someone to stand up for them. …They need someone who’s going protect them against criminals on the street, from big special interests who prey against our most vulnerable, including seniors, and they need an outsider to Harrisburg who will root out corruption.”
“I spent my life fighting for people,” he said. “In the Army I prosecuted terrorists who tried to kill American soldiers. I tried criminals who broke the law, and I taught con law at West Point.” Murphy, who lost his seat to Republican Mike Fitzpatrick last year, was the first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress. His House career encapsulated the country’s political swings: he won in the big Democratic cycles of 2006 and 2008, but lost during last year’s Republican surge.
Murphy praised then-Attorney General Tom Corbett’s investigation of corruption at the state Capitol, saying, “People in Pennsylvania are tired of folks there who are feathering their own nest. We need to make a higher priority, moving forward, of prosecuting public corruption.” When asked whether he would have handled the investigation differently, Murphy repeated the “feathering their own nest” line. He declined to comment on whether he thought Corbett had spent more time investigating Democrats than Republicans, as many in Murphy’s party have claimed. If the “Bonusgate” investigation is still open after he takes office, Murphy said he would “absolutely” continue it.
Murphy is perhaps best known for authoring last year’s federal law overturning the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which barred gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces. He brushed aside a question about whether the issue will hurt in the conservative portion of the state frequently referred to as “the T.” “I learned Central Pennsylvania values when I worked at a factory – at the Reese’s factory in Hershey. And I went to school in central Pennsylvania,” said Murphy. “And I will tell you: most central Pennsylvanians and the folks across Pennsylvania agree where I do. That if you’re willing to take a bullet to keep our families safe and serve in uniform, you should be able to do-so openly.” A Washington Post/ABC News poll taken at the time of last year’s Congressional vote showed nearly 80 percent of Americans supported the repeal.
(Murphy repeated his line about “learning Central Pennsylvania values at…the Reese’s plant” several times throughout our conversation.)
The Office of the Attorney General hasn’t been kind to Democrats: Republicans have held the post ever since it became an elected position in 1980. Murphy is the first high-profile candidate to enter the race. No Republicans have announced a run, and Corbett’s pick to fill out his term, assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Kelly, has promised not to run in 2012.
PAT to Buy New Buses
Thanks to help from a federal grant, the Port Authority of Allegheny County is in the process of buying 80 new buses to be ready for use late next year.
Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie says 35 of the 80 new buses are articulated or “bendy” buses, meant to lessen overcrowding on some of the Authority’s busiest routes.
The total number of PAT buses won’t change, though, because the incoming vehicles will replace old ones that cost too much to maintain.
Ritchie says a $22.7 million grant from the federal government will help pay the $41.5 million total.
“A good chunk of it’s going to come out of that, and that means we’ll be able to spend less capital dollars on the remaining bill, and we can use that in other areas across our system to maintain busways and light rail system,” says Ritchie.
Ritchie says if the Port Authority Board finalizes the deal April 29, the buses should be ready by summer or fall of 2012.
Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie says 35 of the 80 new buses are articulated or “bendy” buses, meant to lessen overcrowding on some of the Authority’s busiest routes.
The total number of PAT buses won’t change, though, because the incoming vehicles will replace old ones that cost too much to maintain.
Ritchie says a $22.7 million grant from the federal government will help pay the $41.5 million total.
“A good chunk of it’s going to come out of that, and that means we’ll be able to spend less capital dollars on the remaining bill, and we can use that in other areas across our system to maintain busways and light rail system,” says Ritchie.
Ritchie says if the Port Authority Board finalizes the deal April 29, the buses should be ready by summer or fall of 2012.
High-Tech Controls Advised for City LED System
The partnership planning Pittsburgh’s new lighting system says LED lights should not only save energy and money for the city, but also enhance quality of life in neighborhoods and business districts.
Unlike many other cities that have already installed LED systems, the partnership between city government and Carnegie Mellon University wants a high level of command over Pittsburgh street lights.
That includes a central control system that could tweak color, intensity, or temperature for every single one of the city’s 40,000 lamps. The experts say that would allow for brighter lights in business districts and dimmer ones in neighborhoods.
The RFP being written by CMU and the city will include several stages. The first step would be to install about 3,000 LED lights in the city’s business districts. Next, the contractor would put in about 35,000 lamps needed for residential areas.
The partnership recommends entirely new lampposts as well as lightbulbs.
Chris Popovich of C&C Lighting says LED lights would also be helpful for emergency situations.
“For example, strobing and flashing, evacuation route designation with chasing LEDs, integration with city fire and police situations,” says Popovich
CMU Professor of Lighting Cindy Limauro says as an option, the city could also include color-changing LEDs on lampposts, which would add to festivals and celebrations. She says the technology would not be very expensive if added to the new lampposts.
The group notes that LED lighting can “wash out” areas in too much light if it’s distributed in a simple, uniform pattern. It’s also more expensive to install than high-pressure sodium bulbs, but the city would save money through energy conservation in the long run.
The lighting code Pittsburgh Council passed last month requires equitable LED lighting for the whole city, per the recommendations of a study commissioned by Council. The RFP is expected to be released late in May.
Unlike many other cities that have already installed LED systems, the partnership between city government and Carnegie Mellon University wants a high level of command over Pittsburgh street lights.
That includes a central control system that could tweak color, intensity, or temperature for every single one of the city’s 40,000 lamps. The experts say that would allow for brighter lights in business districts and dimmer ones in neighborhoods.
The RFP being written by CMU and the city will include several stages. The first step would be to install about 3,000 LED lights in the city’s business districts. Next, the contractor would put in about 35,000 lamps needed for residential areas.
The partnership recommends entirely new lampposts as well as lightbulbs.
Chris Popovich of C&C Lighting says LED lights would also be helpful for emergency situations.
“For example, strobing and flashing, evacuation route designation with chasing LEDs, integration with city fire and police situations,” says Popovich
CMU Professor of Lighting Cindy Limauro says as an option, the city could also include color-changing LEDs on lampposts, which would add to festivals and celebrations. She says the technology would not be very expensive if added to the new lampposts.
The group notes that LED lighting can “wash out” areas in too much light if it’s distributed in a simple, uniform pattern. It’s also more expensive to install than high-pressure sodium bulbs, but the city would save money through energy conservation in the long run.
The lighting code Pittsburgh Council passed last month requires equitable LED lighting for the whole city, per the recommendations of a study commissioned by Council. The RFP is expected to be released late in May.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
City Gives Away Trees
For the fourth time in as many years the city of Pittsburgh will celebrate Earth Day by giving away saplings. 1,000 free dogwood saplings will be given out on a first-come, first-serve starting at 10:00 am Thursday at the City-County Building Portico.
“We were so excited by the overwhelming response to all of our free tree giveaways, that we’ve decided to make this an annual Earth Day event,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Last year the line to get the 10-inch trees wrapped around the City-County Building.
The tree giveaways are part of the city’s efforts to restore tree cover in the Pittsburgh region by planting 20,000 trees by 2012. The program’s secondary goal is to better educate residents on the importance of trees and proper planting and care of trees. Information about tree care will be available at the event.
“We were so excited by the overwhelming response to all of our free tree giveaways, that we’ve decided to make this an annual Earth Day event,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Last year the line to get the 10-inch trees wrapped around the City-County Building.
The tree giveaways are part of the city’s efforts to restore tree cover in the Pittsburgh region by planting 20,000 trees by 2012. The program’s secondary goal is to better educate residents on the importance of trees and proper planting and care of trees. Information about tree care will be available at the event.
Burgess Says Remove Felony Conviction Box
Pittsburgh City Council was scheduled to take a preliminary vote today on Ricky Burgess's legislation that would remove a question on city application jobs asking if applicants had a felony conviction. Burgess called it a "discriminatory practice."
Council put off the vote until they can hold a public hearing and a post-agenda meeting on the issue.
Over a dozen speakers spoke during the public comment portion of Wednesday's meeting, many of them convicted felons who said checking the box made it harder for them to find employment.
"How do you get ahead, what do you do?" asked Brandi Boyd, a convicted felon. "Do you look back into your past or are you trying to move forward? But how do you move forward if your not given an opportunity? It's hard."
Others said the legislation should go further and make it illegal for any employer to ask such a question.
Other cities have recently passed similar legislation.
Council put off the vote until they can hold a public hearing and a post-agenda meeting on the issue.
Over a dozen speakers spoke during the public comment portion of Wednesday's meeting, many of them convicted felons who said checking the box made it harder for them to find employment.
"How do you get ahead, what do you do?" asked Brandi Boyd, a convicted felon. "Do you look back into your past or are you trying to move forward? But how do you move forward if your not given an opportunity? It's hard."
Others said the legislation should go further and make it illegal for any employer to ask such a question.
Other cities have recently passed similar legislation.
Pittsburgh Gets Money to Complete Projects...From Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday passed a bill that they say will free up money for capital projects that must be completed this year. The money has been locked into accounts that were designated for different projects that have since been completed. At Wednesday's City Council meeting, they voted to free up money from projects from 1995-1999 and from 2009's G-20 Summit. While they know they have about $700,000 leftover in that account, the city isn't sure how much is in all of its other accounts.
"We've become so accustomed to this process of just allowing those accounts to sit there until such time that you would need it for something else, sort of like picking up the cushions sort of like picking up the cushions from your couch and finding all of the pennies, nickels and dimes to be able to do something else. So really what we want to do is strip away from that bad practice of accounting and budgeting and put in good practices. So we really won't know until we're done," said councilman Bill Peduto who introduced the legislation.
The money will go towards playground maintenance, fixing roads and the like.
Peduto says its important to clean out the city's books before it switches over to a new accounting system later this year.
"We've become so accustomed to this process of just allowing those accounts to sit there until such time that you would need it for something else, sort of like picking up the cushions sort of like picking up the cushions from your couch and finding all of the pennies, nickels and dimes to be able to do something else. So really what we want to do is strip away from that bad practice of accounting and budgeting and put in good practices. So we really won't know until we're done," said councilman Bill Peduto who introduced the legislation.
The money will go towards playground maintenance, fixing roads and the like.
Peduto says its important to clean out the city's books before it switches over to a new accounting system later this year.
Table Game Revenue Reaches High Point
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says revenues for table games in March totaled $54,606,617. That's $10 million dollars more than the previous top month, December. Table games have been operating in Pennsylvania only since July 2010 and Gaming Control Board spokesman Richard McGarvey says it is still a growing market
"March really does start to signal the point of the year where more people are going out, vacationing, and gambling. So, this is not terribly unexpected. Certainly it's a larger increase than we've seen before too. It's about a 25 percent increase, so it was a good month."
The casino that saw the lowest increase was Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino at less than one percent. However, gross revenues at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County skyrocketed 300 percent from $1.1 million in February to nearly $4.5 million in March. McGarvey attributes this fluctuation to the games themselves.
"You really are playing some games of skill. Still some chance involved obviously in all of them, but because of that, you can have in any given month somebody or a group of people that are really big winners at the casino which effects the bottom line."
McGarvey adds that casinos are more likely to pay out at tables games than they are with slot machines. He also adds that the revenues are expected to continue to rise throughout the summer like they do in other states like New Jersey.
The top grossing gaming facility continues to be Parx Casino in Bensalem, 18 miles from Philadelphia, at $8.2 million in revenues in March.
"March really does start to signal the point of the year where more people are going out, vacationing, and gambling. So, this is not terribly unexpected. Certainly it's a larger increase than we've seen before too. It's about a 25 percent increase, so it was a good month."
The casino that saw the lowest increase was Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino at less than one percent. However, gross revenues at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County skyrocketed 300 percent from $1.1 million in February to nearly $4.5 million in March. McGarvey attributes this fluctuation to the games themselves.
"You really are playing some games of skill. Still some chance involved obviously in all of them, but because of that, you can have in any given month somebody or a group of people that are really big winners at the casino which effects the bottom line."
McGarvey adds that casinos are more likely to pay out at tables games than they are with slot machines. He also adds that the revenues are expected to continue to rise throughout the summer like they do in other states like New Jersey.
The top grossing gaming facility continues to be Parx Casino in Bensalem, 18 miles from Philadelphia, at $8.2 million in revenues in March.
Recycle CFLs in the Proper Places
Energy-saving light bulbs could be good for reducing energy bills, but not good for the environment if they are not properly disposed. The popular spiral-shaped compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) contain up to five milligrams of mercury, and if not recycled correctly could end up in the land, air, and water. The Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (ALMR), based in Napa, California, released a study detailing that only abut 2% of residential consumers recycle their CFLs and other florescent lighting. According to a study in the Air and Waste Management Association's Journal, this could amount to four tons of mercury being dumped in landfills around the world each year. Allegheny County Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole, lists some places where consumers can drop off CFLs for proper disposal. "Every Home Depot and every Lowes store in the county will accept used CFLs. They can also be taken to IKEA, which is in Robinson, and to the Pennsylvania Resources Council on the South Side." Donna Mazza, the Program Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), says that their recycling box is located in their lobby during regular business hours. The PRC cannot take broken CFLs or tubes. Mazza also mentions that if consumers go to the Waste Management website, they can buy and order boxes to recycle the CFLs from home. Mazza says a curb-side pick up for CFLs may only benefit the community if precautions are taken. "That could create a danger if the CFL would break, because then the mercury would get into the air. So, if they were to be recycled curb-side they would have to be put into a tightly sealed container." Details about events where the public can drop off CFLs and other items that are not recyclable at curb-side can be found at http://www.achd.net/
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