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Natural Resources Law

University at Buffalo School of Law

Journal

2011

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Law

Developing The Marcellus Shale: Legal, Regulatory, And Infrastructure Challenges And Their Effect On Downstream Energy Markets, Aaron Stemplewicz Oct 2011

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.


Scratching The Surface: Does New York's Public Trust Law Prevent Subsurface Access To Natural Gas Below Parkland In The Marcellus Shale?, Susan J. Kraham, Lisa K. Perfetto Oct 2011

Scratching The Surface: Does New York's Public Trust Law Prevent Subsurface Access To Natural Gas Below Parkland In The Marcellus Shale?, Susan J. Kraham, Lisa K. Perfetto

Buffalo Environmental Law Journal

The origins of the public trust doctrine ma} be traced back to Roman laiw. The Institutes qf Justinian state: "By the lav of nature these things are common to all mankind - the air running water the sea, and consequently the shores of the sea. " The traditional scope of the public trust doctrine in the United States affirms the public right to use waters for navigation, fishing, and commerce. The precise expression of the doctrine varies from state to state because each state is responsible for applying the public trust doctrine within its borders. New York applies the doctrine …


Between Huntley And Salem: The Current State Of Municipal Authority In Pennsylvania To Affect Gas Drilling Through Zoning, Dan Raichel Oct 2011

Between Huntley And Salem: The Current State Of Municipal Authority In Pennsylvania To Affect Gas Drilling Through Zoning, Dan Raichel

Buffalo Environmental Law Journal

This article examines the scope of Pennsylvania is preemption of municipal authority to zone natural gas drilling activities in light of two relatively recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act and its local ordinance preemption provision. Although these cases define outer boundaries of permissible municipal regulation along the spectrum uf/possible zoning controls - i.e. what types ofordinance provisions would be either definitively permitted or preempted - substantial questions remain as to what extent a municipality may use traditional zoning power to zone gas drilling activities. This paper explores those grey areas, and attempts to assess …


The Interpretation Of Surface Easements In Severance Deeds As A Limit On Hydraulic Fracturing Practices, Rachel Heron, Justin S. Duclos, Shaun A. Goho Oct 2011

The Interpretation Of Surface Easements In Severance Deeds As A Limit On Hydraulic Fracturing Practices, Rachel Heron, Justin S. Duclos, Shaun A. Goho

Buffalo Environmental Law Journal

Hydraulic fracturing has driven a boom in natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale. While providing a growing source of domestic energy, this boom also raises signicant environmental concerns. Many of the impacts of hy draulic fracturing predominantly affect the inhabitants of the property where the drilling occurs. Yet when those inhabitants own only the surface estate, they have relatively little influence over whether and how the drilling occurs and will not profit from the gas extraction. This article provides a jurisdictional case stud4 set in West Virginia to assist in understanding the nuances relevant to an interpretation of the …