We mentioned in a previous post that the E&P industry can expect increased regulatory scrutiny as a result of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico. That, of course, isn't the only reason to anticipate such scrutiny. This article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is a timely reminder of the environmental issues being raised regarding development of the Marcellus Shale. At a conference intended to develop a series of recommendations for the Pennsylvania legislature, the state's Department of Environmental Protection Secretary warned that "[u]nless steps are taken to protect the state's environment, development of Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves could overwhelm its benefits."
A separate article regarding the same event suggests that industry, rather than being a guest at the table, is really on the menu - see here, from the Philadelphia Inquirer.