Central Pennsylvania
encompasses the region between Pittsburgh to the west and Philadelphia to the east. The region is home to the Marcellus oil and gas fields. Fossil fuels exist in a diagonal cross-section of central Pennsylvania in the western portions of the state. Increased drilling has brought about environmental and economic benefits and stresses to the region.
Gas Deposits and Production
According to the Energy Information Administration, the Appalachian Gas Basin covers all of Pennsylvania except for the southeast corner of the state. A southwest-northeast diagonal in west-central Pennsylvania contains primary gas deposits and corresponding production facilities. This production region extends from the corner of the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border to the northern border with New York. The production locations are roughly parallel with the Appalachian Mountains.
Oil Shale Absence
Geology.com's "Oil Shale Deposits" map makes it clear that oil shale deposits are not present in Pennsylvania. Colorado's School of Mines and Argonne National Laboratory have impressive insight and explanations regarding oil shale nature and mining prospects.
Deposits by County
Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has an illustration titled "Oil and Gas Fields," which shows deep and shallow fossil fuel deposits. Central Pennsylvania is relatively sparse. Western and northwestern portions of the state have plentiful oil and gas deposits.
Reactions and Regulations
Central Pennsylvania is experiencing environmental, social and legal effects of more zealous oil and gas production. The formerly rural portion of the state has, to some extent, become familiar with lawsuits, environmental regulations and the struggle of economic prosperity and the profit motive versus social and humanitarian concerns. The GantDaily newspaper offers a snapshot of this tension brought about by increased drilling in formerly sleepy central/western Pennsylvania.
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