Here’s this week’s top shale gas stories:

( 1 ) Pipelines Are the Buzz

As Ohio’s Utica shale moves from exploration towards production, pipelines and other infrastructure are becoming increasingly important. Why? Once natural gas and oil are pumped from the ground, they must be transported and processed.

Experts say approximately #130 to $210 billion will need to be spent on midstream infrastructure through 2030. How many pipelines are coming to your county? View the infographic with the article.

» Via: The Shale Gas Reporter › Pipelines Are the Buzz

( 2 ) Bill Would Increase Taxes on Fracking Profits

One Youngstown lawmaker is playing with the idea of increasing taxes on fuel produced by hydraulic fracturing, then using the money to benefit counties with shale gas activity, according to the Youngstown Vindicator.

Rep. Bob Hagan, Youngstown, D-58th, proposed the legislation. It differs from Gov. John Kasich’s plan, however. Kasich’s plan calls for increasing the severance tax and using a portion of the proceeds to benefit shale gas counties and the rest to cut income taxes.

Hagan’s plan calls for 5 percent to go to local governments, 1.5 percent to ODNR and 1 percent to a trust fund.

» Via: The Youngstown Vindicator › Bill would increase taxes on oil and gas produced via fracking

( 3 ) EPA Study to Take Years

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is studying the possible risks of fracking on ground water, but the study won’t be completed until 2016, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

Though the finished study won’t release until 2016, a preliminary report is expected sometime in late 2014.

» Via: The Akron Beacon Journal › EPA study on fracking threat to water will take years

( 4 ) Utica Shale Challenges Examined at Conference

Earlier this week, Case Western Reserve University, along with Cleveland State University and Kent State University, hosted the Cleveland Conference on Utica shale gas development.

At the conference, Mark Zoback, professor of earth science and geophysics, admitted that seismic activity with hydraulic fracturing is very common, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

Though the professor’s words may sound ominous, he said that miniature earthquakes happen anyway, nearly anywhere there’s a fault zone.

The conference covered other concerns with hydraulic fracturing as well. For the whole story, visit Cleveland.com.

» Via: The Cleveland Plain-Dealer › Ohio’s Utica shale promises, challenges examined at CWRU meeting

( 5 ) Steelmakers Reaping Benefits from Shale Gas

Shale gas is bringing millions of dollars to the Mahoning valley, but not just in the form of royalty checks. Steel makers in Northeast Ohio are also benefiting, according to the Financial Times.

The story follows the new Vallourec Star pipe mill in Youngstown, Ohio. The company, with its roots in France, has spent $1.05 billion on the mill, which is set to to produce steel tubes to use for drills, pipelines, etc.

It’s not all positive for the steel industry though.

Read it:

“With huge global overcapacity, sluggish demand in many sectors, and prices that have been falling steadily since 2011, the steel industry is facing headwinds that even the “shale gale” cannot overcome.” 

» Via: The Financial Times › Steelmakers reap benefits from US shale gas revolution