natural gas
A House committee approved legislation that allows more gas drilling and urges new pipelines.
Pennsylvania made up 18.7% of nationwide production through August.
More than 81,000 documented oil and gas wells across the U.S. have been left unplugged by former owners — far exceeding the previous estimate of 56,000, according to a new report by the Environmental Defense Fund.
Some lawmakers and environmental groups are calling on the Wolf administration to strengthen a proposed regulation that aims to curb emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane before the rule comes up for a final vote. But the proposal exempts tens of thousands of low-producing wells.
Record-low gas prices and the COVID-19 pandemic slowed drilling activity in Pennsylvania last year but trends in the first quarter of 2021 show the gas industry is starting to rebound.