3/23/2012: Towns oppose shale law challenge; independence through shale?

Written by Laura Olson on Friday, 23 March 2012 1:24 pm. Posted in Daily Headlines

- While a handful of townships in the greater Pittsburgh area are planning a challenge to the state's new Marcellus Shale law, officials in Collier and Scott townships won't be joining them. (Patch.com)

- Marcellus shale drilling opponents on Thursday asked Westmoreland County commissioners to consider using impact-fee revenues to protect public health and the environment. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new budget request includes $14 million to continue its fracking study. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

- The natural gas industry needs to keep working to reduce the on-the-ground impacts, a top official from Chesapeake Energy said Thursday. (Charleston Gazette)

- And the New York Times takes a look at whether the increase in oil and gas drilling is moving the country closer to energy independence.