Natural Resources Law Commons^™

Developing The Marcellus Shale: Legal, Regulatory, And Infrastructure Challenges And Their Effect On Downstream Energy Markets, Aaron Stemplewicz

Buffalo Environmental Law Journal

The Marcellus Shale natural gas play is largely considered a "game changer" for the US. energy sector as recent technological breakthroughs in drilling techniques and technologies have made natural gas extraction from this massive play commercially viable. This note not only examines the primary driving forces behind the development of this pla, but also how the extent and pace iwith ihich it is developed will affect doinstream energy markets. In particular three categories of factors are evaluated: legal challenges, regulatory controls, and infrastructure development. Tiwo models of growth and their effect on downstream markets are then proposed and analyzed.