No subject has attracted the attention of the Pittsburgh region as has the explosion of interest in deep-well gas drilling into the Marcellus Formation, a shale formation thousands of feet below the land surface. The map below from Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research shows wells drilled in the tri-state region over time. More
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Tri-State Wells Drilled Map
Environment / Marcellus Shale Drilling
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PA Drilling Permits Map
Environment / Marcellus Shale Drilling
No subject has attracted the attention of the Pittsburgh Region as has the explosion of interest in deep-well gas drilling into the Marcellus Formation, a shale formation thousands of feet below the land surface. The map below from Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research shows drilling permits issued over time. More
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Annual PM2.5 by Region
PM 2.5 refers to airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. These microscopic particles can consist of several chemical compounds and are created by combustion sources, such as coal-fired power plants, steel and coke works and motor vehicles. PM 2.5 can travel deep into the lungs and studies have reported long- and short-term exposure... More
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Ozone Annual Average
Ground-level ozone, widely known as smog, is formed when sunlight triggers chemical reactions between nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds emitted from industrial plants, electric utilities, motor vehicles and other sources. Ozone pollution travels with the breeze and can affect downwind counties and states. Breathing ozone particularly irritates the respiratory tract. Short-term exposure can exacerbate... More
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Drilling Permits Issued – Annual Trend
Environment / Marcellus Shale Drilling
No subject has attracted the attention of the Pittsburgh region as has the explosion of interest in deep-well gas drilling into the Marcellus Formation; a shale formation thousands of feet below the land surface. Reports will be available here and updated annually. Regional activity outside the boundaries of Pennsylvania will be similarly reported as well... More
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Wells Drilled – Annual Trend
Environment / Marcellus Shale Drilling
No subject has attracted the attention of the Pittsburgh region as has the explosion of interest in deep-well gas drilling into the Marcellus Formation; a shale formation thousands of feet below the land surface. Reports will be available here and up-dated quarterly. Regional activity outside the boundaries of Pennsylvania will be similarly reported as well... More
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Green Buildings Trend
The Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), provides standards for environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings and neighborhoods. The five indicators here have been organized in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance. LEED was created to define “Green Building” by establishing standards; Promote “integrated, whole building... More
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LEED Certified Buildings
The Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), provides standards for environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings and neighborhoods. The five indicators here have been organized in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance. LEED was created to define “Green Building” by establishing standards; Promote “integrated, whole building... More
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Recreational Days Lost
Southwestern Pennsylvania has an abundance of streams and rivers. However, effective stewardship of the quality of its waterways has long been a challenge. In heavily populated Allegheny County, even a modest rain causes sewage to be discharged into rivers and streams from inadequate municipal storm water and sewage systems. That raises bacteria to unhealthy levels,... More