Black Forest Broadcasting

 

…Florida driver cited for speeding after Tioga County crash…Minor injuries reported for NY motorist following accident in Covington Township….State police investigated 661 crashes over Christmas weekend….2021 Oil and Gas report has been released….

 Tioga County

State police at Mansfield arrested a Bonita Springs, FL resident for speeding in connection to a one-vehicle accident at around 7:30 am Christmas morning. Troopers report 19 year old Christopher Giovine was going north on Route 15 in Bloss Township when his 2005 Honda Accord went off the left side of the road, struck a snow bank and rolled over coming to rest facing north.

Minor injuries were reported for an Ontario, NY motorist after a one-vehicle crash last Friday in Covington Township. According to Mansfield state police, Benjamin Hagelin was headed south on Route 15 when his 2010 Dodge Charger became airborne after going out of control on a right curve. The car slid onto the median and collided with a culvert, spun counterclockwise and hit a road sign in the crossover before stopping.

Statewide

Pennsylvania State Police investigated 661 motor vehicle crashes in which seven people died and 113 others were injured during the Christmas holiday weekend from December 23-25. Alcohol was a factor in 36 crashes, including two fatal crashes.

Troopers arrested 116 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the three-day period. Troopers issued more than 451 speeding citations, 110 citations for failing to wear a seat belt, and 11 citations for not securing children in safety seats.

The 2021 Oil and Gas Annual Report released yesterday by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) shows that production and compliance inspections increased in 2021. Pennsylvania continues to be the second largest producer of natural gas in the nation, behind Texas.The report notes that DEP personnel completed 34,145 compliance inspections at conventional and unconventional well sites in 2021, about 8,262 more than in 2020. All inspections continue to be done electronically. DEP issued 770 unconventional well permits in 2021, about 150 fewer than the previous year. Sustained low commodity prices coupled with longer wellbores contributed to a decline in permit applications. An interactive map shows well drilling locations by county.

In 2021, more than 7.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was produced from unconventional and conventional gas wells in Pennsylvania. This represents the largest volume of natural gas on record that has been produced in Pennsylvania in a single year. In 2021, there was 7,572,916,109 cubic feet of natural gas produced from unconventional wells, and 76,454,176 cubic feet of natural gas produced from conventional wells. In 2020, data confirmed that 7,091,486,278 cubic feet of natural gas was produced from unconventional wells and 83,837,607 cubic feet of natural gas was produced from conventional wells.

The interactive, multimedia annual report offers several levels of data: the year in review; deeper detail and historical data; and educational overviews of drilling and the regulatory process statewide. For example, users can compare how much gas was produced over the past 10 years, and drill down to see production by an individual well.

The administration also made public a report requested by Governor Tom Wolf detailing the compliance records of conventional oil and gas producers. The report was requested in the July 19, 2022 Lapsing Statement that accompanied HB 2644. The report reviewed compliance among conventional oil and gas operators, evaluated options for ensuring compliance, and provided recommendations for possible reforms.

Upcoming events—See our calendar of events for more

December 31,  Deer Family—Elk Country Visitors Center

9am-12pm, Join  staff as we learn about the elk and their many cousins that live in North America. If you have any questions, please contact our Con Ed staff at (814) 787 – 5173                      Emails: Ben Porkolab ConEd@kecaus.com

December 31: New Year’s Eve Stargazing Walk—Cherry Springs

6:30-7:30, One hour in person  1.5 mile walk. Snowshoes will be available if necessary. No pre-registration required.  People of all ages are invited to join the park educator for the free, one-hour, in-person, 1.5-mile New Year’s Eve Stargazing Walk along level ground in the night sky public viewing area. Snowshoes will be available if conditions require. Learn about winter constellations and folklore along the way with a laser-guided tour of the night sky. The program will end by 7:30 p.m. leaving time for New Year’s Eve plans. Wear warm clothes and sturdy winter boots. Registration is NOT required. For more information about this free program, call 1-814-435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.

January 1: First Day Hike—Sinnemahoning State Park

10 am. Meet at Pavilion No. 1 FMI: www.stepoutdoors.org

January 1: First Day Hike—Lyman Run State Park

1:00 p. Meet at Lower Campground Parking lot. FMI: www.stepoutdoors.org