In this issue of Pennsylvania Currents|Online:

Natural Gas Drilling Boom Threatens Pennsylvania Waters
In the coming years, several thousand wells may be drilled across western, central, and northeast Pennsylvania or natural gas. These new wells will be drilled into a rock formation known is Marcellus shale, where potentially big reserves of natural gas can be found over a mile underground. In 2008, over 500 gas wells were drilled in the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, and even with the recession, gas production is projected to increase annually for the next several years.

Campaign for Stream Buffers Builds Support
A recent survey by Clean Water Action found that almost two hundred cities, towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania have adopted ordinances requiring buffers between new development and their streams and rivers. Almost one-third of these municipalities require buffers of at least 100 feet, which is consistent with Clean Water Action's Buffers 100 initiative. It's impressive to see so many towns across the state working to make sure that development doesn't result in degrading our rivers and streams.

Thanks for Supporting Clean Water's 12th Annual Auction and Party!
About 90 Clean Water Fund supporters joined us for a fabulous evening of food, music, and a silent and live auction. This year’s Florence Neilson Environmental Leadership Awards went to Sharon McCormick for her work organizing the Ambler community to clean up the largest asbestos waste pile in the U.S. and to Kathleen McGinty for her work to reduce mercury emissions and invest in environmental conservation as Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Protection. We raised over $13,000 for our work to protect and promote clean water, clean air, and healthy communities.