Funding provided for Pennsylvania shale communities in need of housing
Thursday, October 15, 2015
According to Keystone Crossroads housing challenges have arisen along with Marcellus Shale activity in Pennsylvania.
Workers from other states have sought both temporary and permanent housing and have contributed to the rise in rental properties and a shortage of properties. In turn, some residents have been unable to pay rent because it is no longer affordable.
On Oct. 8, funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) provided $8.1 million for projects related to housing, community and rental help. This fund takes fees from Marcellus gas wells and uses it for affordable housing in the areas that need it most.
Via: Keystone Crossroads > Shale communities get funds to improve housing
More about housing and the shale industry:
- North Dakota: Oil glut, low prices leave too few workers for excess housing Oct. 1, 2015
- Eastern Ohio’s Utica region sees continued housing need for shale workers July 12, 2015
- Hotel business slows down along with drilling activity March 15, 2015
- The impact of Marcellus Shale development on housing March 3, 2015
- Too many hotels built during Marcellus boom Sept. 27, 2014
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.