Shale gas hydraulic fracturing, colloquially called fracking, is scorned by environmental activists, but there’s no denying New Jersey natural gas customers have enjoyed the fruits of the technology.
Public Service Electric & Gas cut bills this winter by around five percent, lifting total cuts in the last two years to 35 percent. New Jersey Natural Gas, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas Company have done likewise.
"The shale reserves in the Marcellus, in our backyard, are huge," said Kathleen Ellis, chief operating officer of New Jersey Natural Gas. "There is no arguing that the price of gas, because of increased supply, is good for our customers."
An analysis by the AARP Public Policy Institute of heating costs for seniors found natural gas customers will average $542 to heat their homes this winter, compared with $2,675 for those using fuel oil.
Those using electric heat should average around $468. That’s because while oil prices rose in recent years, electrical prices are tied to gas because of gas-fired power plants.
State officials aren’t shy about giving credit to shale gas either: when the Board of Public Utilities announced rate cuts this summer, it pointed to a new supply line—and to shale gas produced in nearby states such as Pennsylvania.
"The development of Marcellus shale has allowed New Jersey utilities to tap into natural gas reserves locally, resulting in lower delivery costs and savings for New Jersey ratepayers," said the BPU statement.
"There’s been a downward pressure on price due to greater levels of production. It’s basically a supply and demand thing," explained Amy Sweeney, a natural gas expert for the federal Energy Information Administration.
Sweeney said shale gas production flowed faster than the government reports tracking it, the most recent of which covers 2009.
"Back then it was 13 percent of supply," Sweeney said. "It very well could have doubled by now. That’s the sense that we’re getting from industry sources."
The federal government projects that by 2035, 47 percent of gas produced in the U.S. will come from shale sources.
That increased production is especially beneficial to New Jersey residents because the state has one of the highest concentrations of natural gas users in the country, according to the BPU.
The bottom line: 76 percent of New Jersey homes heat with gas, compared with 12 percent using fuel oil and kerosene and 11 percent that use electricity, according to Census Bureau data.
2011年11月20日星期日
Off-duty nurse helps save two people trapped after car smash
The two injured teenagers suffered through a long ordeal trapped in a car after it smashed into a pole in Ballarat.
Four people were on board when the accident happened in Humffray Street South, Golden Point, about 8.15pm.
But the female driver, 18, and a man in the front passenger seat were trapped from the waist down.
Sen-Sergeant Patrick Clearly told Radio 3AW all four were lucky to survive, as a result of the "quick action of passers-by", including the off-duty nurse.
"She actually got into the back of the car, while it was burning and shielded the faces of two trapped … while another neighbour used a garden hose to put the fire out."
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said Both were given pain relief and remained conscious while emergency crews worked to free them.
Mr Mullen said the pole, which had snapped off and was resting on the car, had to be stabilised with a crane before the rescue began.
"The force of the impact had pushed the front seat right to the back of the car," he said.
Mr Mullen said the front seat passenger, also believed to be about 18, was trapped for almost five hours.
"He had 'crush injuries' – leg, pelvic – after also being trapped from the waist down," Mr Mullen said.
"He was put into an induced coma and he was flown to the Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition."
Mr Mullen said the driver was trapped for almost two hours before being flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
"She was treated for leg injuries and possible spinal injuries," he said.
CFA spokesman George Ellis said crews used hydraulic cutters to remove the pair.
"The last person was removed from the car at 12.40am," he said.
A police spokeswoman said officers were investigating the smash.
"It’s believed a Holden sedan was travelling along Humffray Street South when it lost control and struck a power pole," she said.
"The vehicle caught fire but was extinguished."
Two other people on board were taken to Ballarat Base Hospital with minor injuries.
Four people were on board when the accident happened in Humffray Street South, Golden Point, about 8.15pm.
But the female driver, 18, and a man in the front passenger seat were trapped from the waist down.
Sen-Sergeant Patrick Clearly told Radio 3AW all four were lucky to survive, as a result of the "quick action of passers-by", including the off-duty nurse.
"She actually got into the back of the car, while it was burning and shielded the faces of two trapped … while another neighbour used a garden hose to put the fire out."
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said Both were given pain relief and remained conscious while emergency crews worked to free them.
Mr Mullen said the pole, which had snapped off and was resting on the car, had to be stabilised with a crane before the rescue began.
"The force of the impact had pushed the front seat right to the back of the car," he said.
Mr Mullen said the front seat passenger, also believed to be about 18, was trapped for almost five hours.
"He had 'crush injuries' – leg, pelvic – after also being trapped from the waist down," Mr Mullen said.
"He was put into an induced coma and he was flown to the Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition."
Mr Mullen said the driver was trapped for almost two hours before being flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
"She was treated for leg injuries and possible spinal injuries," he said.
CFA spokesman George Ellis said crews used hydraulic cutters to remove the pair.
"The last person was removed from the car at 12.40am," he said.
A police spokeswoman said officers were investigating the smash.
"It’s believed a Holden sedan was travelling along Humffray Street South when it lost control and struck a power pole," she said.
"The vehicle caught fire but was extinguished."
Two other people on board were taken to Ballarat Base Hospital with minor injuries.
2011年4月1日星期五
Plane makes emergency landing at Fort St. John Airport
A Central Mountain Air flight had to make an emergency landing at the Fort St. John Airport Friday afternoon.
The plane had just taken off from the airport when the crew registered a problem with a hydraulic hose on the plane's brakes, says Moira Green, managing director for the North Peace Airport Services.
The Hawkair Dash 8 plane was flying for a Central Mountain Air scheduled flight to Fort Nelson. It had just taken off from the airport with around 20 passengers when it had to return because of the problem.
Emergency crews were called out to the airport at approximately 1:52 p.m. Fort St. John Fire Chief Fred Burrows says that the plane landed without incident and was able to taxi to the airport building to be checked out.
Green says the plane will either be fixed or Central Mountain Air will bring in another plane to transport the passengers to Fort Nelson.
The plane had just taken off from the airport when the crew registered a problem with a hydraulic hose on the plane's brakes, says Moira Green, managing director for the North Peace Airport Services.
The Hawkair Dash 8 plane was flying for a Central Mountain Air scheduled flight to Fort Nelson. It had just taken off from the airport with around 20 passengers when it had to return because of the problem.
Emergency crews were called out to the airport at approximately 1:52 p.m. Fort St. John Fire Chief Fred Burrows says that the plane landed without incident and was able to taxi to the airport building to be checked out.
Green says the plane will either be fixed or Central Mountain Air will bring in another plane to transport the passengers to Fort Nelson.
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