Marcellus Panel Looks for Common Ground at First Meeting
Monday, March 28, 2011
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
by Laura Olson
The public comments at the end of Friday's inaugural meeting of the state Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission showed part of the challenge facing that panel during the next four months.
One county commissioner stood up to laud the number of jobs that gas drilling has brought to his community. He was followed by a northeastern resident who said her property value has plummeted because of the surrounding well pads, and another woman citing concerns about water quality.
"I moved up here to be at peace with nature," Wyoming County resident Joanne Fiorito told the panel. "You have now ripped my American dream apart, and I am appalled and outraged."
The 30-member panel has 120 days to assess how the state is managing natural gas drilling, as well as find some policy agreement between those skeptical of the booming business and those benefiting from it.
The group will report back to Gov. Tom Corbett in mid-July on what changes they recommend to balance job growth and environmental protection.
Their first task during the meeting, which lasted for more than four hours, was dividing the topics to be tackled among four work groups -- health, safety and environmental protection; economic and workforce development; infrastructure; and local impacts and emergency response.
Those groups will begin their work shortly, and give an update of their progress at the commission's next meeting on April 27.
A locally assessed impact fee on gas drillers will be part of those talks, said Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, the commission's chairman. But a statewide severance tax, which the Corbett administration opposes, is "off the table," he added.
Several of the commission members -- who represent state government, local communities, environmental advocates, industry leaders and academia -- noted a need for some form of levy or fee to help local governments with rising costs.
Mr. Cawley said he'd like to see figures on what the drilling industry is costing municipalities and counties in additional road construction, staffing, emergency response calls and other growing demands.
Several on the panel talked about using a "fact-based" process to figure out how to responsibly grow the drilling industry, and to present Pennsylvania as the best place for drilling companies to invest.
"We have to win," said Nicholas Haden, vice president of Reserved Environmental Services, a wastewater treatment facility in New Stanton, Westmoreland County. "The Marcellus Shale is not the only shale play in the world."
Presenters giving a snapshot of the industry's activities relayed data on how much interest the Marcellus, and the state's other shale formations, already have garnered.
Southwestern Pennsylvania is near the forefront of activity, with Washington and Greene among the top five counties for number of wells. Department of Environmental Protection statistics show Washington with 305 wells drilled since 2007 and 179 in Greene, which puts them third and fourth behind Bradford and Tioga.
Those wells, and others in the works, are expected to bring more than 10,000 industry jobs to the state's southwest by 2014, said Tom Murphy, of Penn State's Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.
But amid the presentations came questions to be discussed in the coming months: How should the state help non-drilling businesses, which are losing workers to higher-paying gas companies and having trouble filling the resulting openings?
And how many hotel rooms and apartment buildings should towns add to accommodate an industry that tends to move money and manpower quickly if markets shift?
Some lessons may be found in looking at the southern shale gas-producing states, said Teri Ooms, of the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development.
A major complaint in Arkansas, and in some parts of Pennsylvania already, is road damage and congestion, said Ms. Ooms. She said one strategy that helped ease tensions was posting truck routes and advertising when those roads would have heavy traffic.
Other problems and solutions will be the source of much-welcomed debate by the commission and members of the public, said Mr. Cawley.
"We want to hear it from all sectors, because we want to provide a blueprint to Gov. Corbett in the middle of July that truly outlines all of the benefits as well as any potential impacts so that he can make an informed decision," he said.
Showing posts with label businesses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label businesses. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Increasing volume of legislation costs businesses £2bn
23 March 2011 Last updated at 06:33 GMT
Nigel Smyth's comments come ahead of the Chancellor, George Osborne's first annual Budget statement on Wednesday.
Mr Smyth said additional support for growth and job creation, and less red tape, particularly relating to employment were the main preoccupations for Northern Ireland business.
He said that business organisations had been lobbying hard to encourage government to reduce barriers to high-growth companies in order to create employment.
"This includes doing something to relieve the regulatory burden," he said.
"But they are also having to cope with increasing costs such as the carbon reduction commitment, which from being an incentive, has now turned into a carbon tax."
Mr Smyth said that Northern Ireland companies were competing in global markets now, and many of their competitors were not having to deal with the same level of regulation.
As a result they had a lower cost base than companies based in the UK, he said
He said: "The danger is that some of these highly successful, highly productive companies will simply move to locations where the cost base is not so high."
Dr Esmond Birnie, the chief economist for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Northern Ireland, believes that any tax increases in the Budget would have a serious effect on the local economy.
"February's unemployment is up 6.3% year-on-year," Dr Birnie said.
"That is the highest increase of all 12 UK regions, and we are forecasting that local economic growth will not exceed one per cent in 2011.
"It means that further tax increases could have a disproportionate impact on economic growth and business confidence."
On the bright side, it is thought that the 1p rise in fuel duty due on 1st April might be postponed because of the recent steep increase in oil prices, while personal tax allowances are set to go up by £1,000 to £7,475 for 2011/12.
It is estimated that this should reduce the tax liability of 23 million taxpayers by an average of £200 a year.
The Chancellor has already promised to increase personal allowances to £10,000 by 2015.
An announcement is also expected on the subject of corporation tax, or company profits.
Many economists and Northern Ireland business people have been arguing strongly that a reduction from the current rate of 28% closer to the rate of 12.5% which exists in the Republic, would do much to encourage inward investment.
Link
Businesses have lost out on more than £2bn in the last decade due to an increasing volume of legislation, according to business lobby group the CBI.
Mr Smyth said additional support for growth and job creation, and less red tape, particularly relating to employment were the main preoccupations for Northern Ireland business.
Nigel Smyth of the CBI says businesses are having to deal with an increase in legislation
He said that business organisations had been lobbying hard to encourage government to reduce barriers to high-growth companies in order to create employment.
"This includes doing something to relieve the regulatory burden," he said.
"But they are also having to cope with increasing costs such as the carbon reduction commitment, which from being an incentive, has now turned into a carbon tax."
Mr Smyth said that Northern Ireland companies were competing in global markets now, and many of their competitors were not having to deal with the same level of regulation.
As a result they had a lower cost base than companies based in the UK, he said
He said: "The danger is that some of these highly successful, highly productive companies will simply move to locations where the cost base is not so high."
Dr Esmond Birnie, the chief economist for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Northern Ireland, believes that any tax increases in the Budget would have a serious effect on the local economy.
"February's unemployment is up 6.3% year-on-year," Dr Birnie said.
"That is the highest increase of all 12 UK regions, and we are forecasting that local economic growth will not exceed one per cent in 2011.
"It means that further tax increases could have a disproportionate impact on economic growth and business confidence."
On the bright side, it is thought that the 1p rise in fuel duty due on 1st April might be postponed because of the recent steep increase in oil prices, while personal tax allowances are set to go up by £1,000 to £7,475 for 2011/12.
It is estimated that this should reduce the tax liability of 23 million taxpayers by an average of £200 a year.
The Chancellor has already promised to increase personal allowances to £10,000 by 2015.
An announcement is also expected on the subject of corporation tax, or company profits.
Many economists and Northern Ireland business people have been arguing strongly that a reduction from the current rate of 28% closer to the rate of 12.5% which exists in the Republic, would do much to encourage inward investment.
Link
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Shell and Showa Shell Sekiyu supporting relief efforts in Japan
Shell and Showa Shell Sekiyu supporting relief efforts in Japan
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 16:30 Ordons.com
Tokyo. Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. and Shell said today they would make a combined donation of US $2 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to provide disaster relief assistance in response to the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Shell Group, in addition to this, has implemented a worldwide employee donation program to further support Japan's disaster relief efforts.
Shell's Country Chairman for Japan, Chris Gunner, said "Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the thousands of lives lost and the enormous damage due to the earthquakes and the tsunami. Shell has been part of the Japanese community for more than 100 years. Financial support will not dull the pain of this tragedy, but it is important in helping to rebuild lives."
"Given the scale of this catastrophe and resulting human suffering, we want to do our part to assist with the relief and reconstruction efforts," said Shigeya Kato, Chairman of Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.
All Showa Shell Sekiyu and Shell employees in Japan are safely accounted for and Showa Shell's refineries, marketing and distribution businesses are operational, apart from numerous retail service stations and a small number depots which were impacted in the Tohoku area. However, as a result of the earthquake and tsunami, and the nuclear power plant issues, Japan has suffered significant power generation loss, and refinery and depot shutdowns.
The shutdown of power plants in Japan and rolling power blackouts in the northern half of the main island, including around Tokyo, has seen an increase demand for imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other fuels. Shell and its LNG joint ventures are working with their Japanese customers to help ensure continuing and additional supplies of LNG into the country to meet these critical requirements. Since the time of the earthquake, six shipments of LNG from Brunei, two from Sakhalin and one diverted cargo from Nigeria have unloaded in Tokyo Bay, as well as cargoes to other locations in Japan, providing much needed gas supply. Further cargoes are expected to follow in the coming days.
In addition to the financial donation, Showa Shell Sekiyu has an emergency task force working with the Japanese government in prioritizing supply of petroleum products to the affected areas and maintaining the energy supply 'lifeline'. Its actions include:
In addition to the financial donation, Showa Shell Sekiyu has an emergency task force working with the Japanese government in prioritizing supply of petroleum products to the affected areas and maintaining the energy supply 'lifeline'. Its actions include:
* Terminating the export of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel, this month to strengthen supply to the domestic market;
* Working around the clock to supply petroleum products to its service stations, and supplying other petroleum companies and government agencies in response to their requests;
* Expanding its distribution capabilities in Tokyo by strengthening the deployment of lorries;
* Providing food relief to the disaster area.
Link
http://www.ordons.com/
Tuesday, 22 March 2011 16:30 Ordons.com
Tokyo. Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. and Shell said today they would make a combined donation of US $2 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to provide disaster relief assistance in response to the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Shell Group, in addition to this, has implemented a worldwide employee donation program to further support Japan's disaster relief efforts.
Shell's Country Chairman for Japan, Chris Gunner, said "Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the thousands of lives lost and the enormous damage due to the earthquakes and the tsunami. Shell has been part of the Japanese community for more than 100 years. Financial support will not dull the pain of this tragedy, but it is important in helping to rebuild lives."
"Given the scale of this catastrophe and resulting human suffering, we want to do our part to assist with the relief and reconstruction efforts," said Shigeya Kato, Chairman of Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.
All Showa Shell Sekiyu and Shell employees in Japan are safely accounted for and Showa Shell's refineries, marketing and distribution businesses are operational, apart from numerous retail service stations and a small number depots which were impacted in the Tohoku area. However, as a result of the earthquake and tsunami, and the nuclear power plant issues, Japan has suffered significant power generation loss, and refinery and depot shutdowns.
The shutdown of power plants in Japan and rolling power blackouts in the northern half of the main island, including around Tokyo, has seen an increase demand for imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other fuels. Shell and its LNG joint ventures are working with their Japanese customers to help ensure continuing and additional supplies of LNG into the country to meet these critical requirements. Since the time of the earthquake, six shipments of LNG from Brunei, two from Sakhalin and one diverted cargo from Nigeria have unloaded in Tokyo Bay, as well as cargoes to other locations in Japan, providing much needed gas supply. Further cargoes are expected to follow in the coming days.
In addition to the financial donation, Showa Shell Sekiyu has an emergency task force working with the Japanese government in prioritizing supply of petroleum products to the affected areas and maintaining the energy supply 'lifeline'. Its actions include:
In addition to the financial donation, Showa Shell Sekiyu has an emergency task force working with the Japanese government in prioritizing supply of petroleum products to the affected areas and maintaining the energy supply 'lifeline'. Its actions include:
* Terminating the export of refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel, this month to strengthen supply to the domestic market;
* Working around the clock to supply petroleum products to its service stations, and supplying other petroleum companies and government agencies in response to their requests;
* Expanding its distribution capabilities in Tokyo by strengthening the deployment of lorries;
* Providing food relief to the disaster area.
Link
http://www.ordons.com/
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