News: Marcellus Shale

Chesapeake Honored at Northeast Oil & Gas Awards

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:15:57 GMT

The inaugural Northeast Oil & Gas Awards were held recently in Pittsburgh, and Chesapeake took home some impressive hardware. Thanks to our ongoing commitment to the communities in which we operate, Chesapeake was recognized with the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year award.

“First and foremost for Chesapeake is safety and environmental responsibility,” said Scott Rotruck, Vice President - Corporate Development & Government Relations. “As the nation’s most active driller, we are keenly aware of the effect our activity can have in local communities. We take very seriously our commitment to responsible operations and work every day to ensure we are having a beneficial impact in the communities where we’re active.”

The awards honor the industry’s top performers, with the recipients selected by a panel of six industry leaders. Chesapeake was recognized for its ongoing efforts to educate the public about modern natural gas development and its commitment to community benefit. Learn more about Chesapeake’s community engagement in its Corporate Responsibility Report.

Chesapeake is Back in Blue

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:14:26 GMT

Operation Blue volunteers tackle colossal
Canstruction creations in Charleston.

Spring is here, Chesapeake’s annual Operation Blue Initiative is in full-swing and employees in the company’s Marcellus South District are donning their blue T-shirts and getting to work in their West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania communities.

In Jane Lew, West Virginia, volunteers spent a sunny April day at the local little league park where they mended fencing, cleared rocks and debris from the field and conditioned the infield. The park had previously been vandalized, but through volunteer efforts, little leaguers now have a safe, clean place to pass the summer.

In the company’s Charleston, West Virginia, field office, Operation Blue volunteers tackled the massive creations of Canstruction, an annual event that sees area businesses and civic groups compete to build structures out of donated canned goods. After the competition, volunteers helped dismantle the creations and transport the 13,000 donated canned goods to the Covenant House food pantry where an estimated 7,000 hungry folks will find wholesome food this year.

In Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, volunteers are participating in a variety of local projects throughout May and June, teaming up with the Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity to tend to shelters for people and pets alike. Employees spent the day cleaning kennels and bathing animals at a nearby animal shelter while at a local Habitat for Humanity construction project, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work to benefit a family in need.

“Operation Blue isn’t just a feel-good program. Our employees are out there putting real muscle behind community initiatives,” said Jennifer Cox, Chesapeake Manager – Corporate Development. “The program inspires employees to take meaningful action and connect with local issues on a personal basis. And in many cases, build relationships with community-oriented groups that they take and maintain beyond Operation Blue.”

EPA Drastically Reduces Industry Greenhouse Emission Estimates

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:09:31 GMT

Industry best practices bolster environmentally friendly
operations.

Last month the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dramatically lowered its estimates of methane emissions associated with the oil and natural gas industry. Thanks to self-imposed tighter pollution controls by operators, the industry recorded a decrease of more than 850 million metric tons from 1990 through 2010 — an average of 41.6 million metric tons a year.

Figured by converting the methane emissions into their equivalent in carbon dioxide (CO₂), the new figures equal about a 20% reduction from previous statements. EPA greenhouse gas emission, including methane, are published each year in April and includes estimates based on CO₂ equivalent.

“As technologies continue to improve it’s hard to image those methane numbers going anywhere but down,” Steve Everley, a representative of industry-funded group Energy In Depth, told the Associated Press in an April 28 interview.

The most astonishing fact associated with the study may, however, be that the industry has managed to record this tremendous emission decrease amongst a drilling boom. Natural gas production has grown by almost 40% since 1990.

And although the new EPA figures still shows that all sources of methane — not just natural gas — still account for 9% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, natural gas still provides the cleaner source for power. In fact, according to the EPA and U.S. Information Administration, natural gas produces significantly less CO₂ than oil or coal. In power generation, natural gas reduces CO₂ by up to 44%, nitrogen oxide emission by up to 93%, sulfur dioxide emissions by 99.9% and mercury emissions by 100% when compared to coal.

Get the EPA’s full Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks report.

Expos Emphasizes CNG

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:42:02 GMT

Chesapeake’s Phil Pfister, Coordinator - Community
Development, and Jon Bolton, Corporate Courier, check out
the company’s CNG chopper.

Natural gas has always been a part of West Virginia’s rich resource base, and with increased production from the Marcellus Shale, a variety of groups are hard at work to put this homegrown energy to use as a transportation fuel.

The Kanawha Coverts Consortium, which focuses on implementing compressed natural gas (CNG) in public fleets and CNG workforce development, recently teamed up with the Bridgemont Community and Technical College and the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium to provide a five-day natural gas fuel system inspector certification course for 17 regional ASE-certified mechanics. And earlier this year, IGS Energy CNG Services announced the planned construction of CNG stations along Interstate 79, which should be operational by the end of this year.

But CNG in the Mountain State hit a fever pitch this month when industry representatives, politicians, researchers, business owners and anyone with an interest in alternative fueling gathered in Charleston, West Virginia, for the 2013 Appalachian Basin Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) Expo and Conference by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA).

“West Virginia had pioneered NGV use in the early 1980s, but if you look at a map of CNG usage in the U.S. today, there’s a glaring vacancy – West Virginia,” said Corky Demarco, WVONGA Executive Director. “This event is one of the ways we can renew our state’s interest in alternative fuels like CNG and propane.”

The three-day expo put the spotlight on CNG with a variety of seminars on NGVs and CNG fueling infrastructure; ride and drive events where participants put rubber to the road in actual NGVs; and exhibits from industries ranging from natural gas drillers to car parts manufacturers.

Jon Coleman, Fleet Sustainability & Technology Manager for the Ford Motor Company, believes CNG is an attractive commercial fuel and that some of the company’s upcoming models, such as the Transit Connect wagon series, will have purpose-built CNG engines.

“Ford’s approach to CNG is to provide the broadest portfolio possible, so we listen to the needs of our customers,” said Coleman. “They’re not interested in what’s easiest for us to build. They’re interested in what meets their various needs, and so we’re designing our product around those needs.”

Industries Gather to Talk Shale Benefits

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:25:30 GMT

Industry representatives examine ethane-
related trends and technology.

Ethane, a product of the gas stream produced by the wet gas region in the northern part of the state and stretching into eastern Ohio, is an important feedstock that can be cracked into ethylene and used in products ranging from anti-freeze to trash bags and plastic bottles.

This March a variety of industries gathered to discuss the potential for ethane and other natural gas byproducts at the Charleston Civic Center for the Marcellus to Manufacturing Ethane Development Conference. Hosted by the West Virginia Manufacturer’s Association in cooperation with the West Virginia Construction and Design Expo and the state Department of Commerce, the expo covered a wide range of Marcellus-related topics.

Kevin DiGregorio, Executive Director of the Chemical Alliance Zone, described the conference as a kind of melting pot for those industries interested in setting up shop or expanding current operations in the Mountain State.

“West Virginia is poised for growth in a variety of industries and it is important that these groups gather together to share ideas and discuss potential opportunities. It is essential that we collaborate,” said DiGregorio. “This conference serves as one place to do that. It is a meeting point for those who are working diligently to bring real economic opportunity to the state and a place to show the public how Marcellus development can help build on West Virginia’s vibrant chemical and manufacturing legacy.”

Conference participants attended seminars and panels on topics ranging from rail infrastructure to fractionation plants — facilities that separate the various constituents of natural gas and oil — and heard from speakers representing chemical, manufacturing and energy production companies, as well as trade and industry organizations. Attendees also learned about state permitting processes, tax incentives and workforce capabilities.

Developing the Core of the Core

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:53:29 GMT

Crew from Wyoming to Pennsylvania have the experience
and discipline needed to help Chesapeake tap its most
profitable natural gas and oil reserves.

With leading leasehold positions in 10 of the leading plays in the U.S., Chesapeake’s technical expertise and aggressive land acquisition efforts has given the company the resources to successfully fuel growth for decades to come. Thanks to the hard work and innovation of its employees, the company boasts one of the best asset bases in the world.

“I believe the company’s asset base — better than any major company — is the result of Chesapeake’s nimbleness and speed in capturing the opportunities associated with the major shale plays in the U.S.,” said Non-executive Chairman of the Board Archie Dunham.

Embarking on a new phase in the company’s history, Chesapeake is looking to capitalize on another area of expertise — horizontal drilling. Using the knowledge it has acquired drilling more than 10,000 horizontal wells, Chesapeake is streamlining operations and drilling its best wells on its best acreage, chosen from some of the country’s premiere natural gas and oil reservoirs.

“Our next chapter will be characterized by continued operational excellence; a prudent approach to funding future growth through fiscal and capital discipline; an increased emphasis on safety, the environment and corporate governance; and a commitment to better returns for our shareholders,” said Chesapeake’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Steve Dixon. “This will create a very exciting and profitable future for the company, our employees and our shareholders.”

Discovering Beaver County’s Young Leaders

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:25:52 GMT

Eric Racan and Mia Bartoles pose with their new laptops
during the DTL banquet.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation has a long-standing tradition of supporting community programs in the areas where it operates. In Pennsylvania’s Beaver County, where the company has been operating since 2010, Chesapeake routinely teams up with groups like the county’s Educational Trust, 4H and the Conservation District to promote education and conservation-oriented programs. That’s why selecting Beaver County for this semester’s Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders (DTL) program was a natural fit.

“DTL seeks those students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the community through participation in nonprofit groups,” said Amy Dugan, Chesapeake’s Manager – Corporate Development. “These are students who are making a real difference in their communities and Beaver County is fortunate to have so many candidates.”

Students of any age can be nominated by nonprofit groups, teachers or other members of the community.

“It’s a neat program in terms of the kinds of students we see. They’re helping the town put on a parade or serving in soup kitchens or tutoring other students,” said Kelly Stadelman, Vice President of Research at the Manahan Group, who works with Chesapeake on DTL programming. “These students are thinking of others before themselves, while demonstrating leadership in the community.”

The local Rotary Club helped administer the program and selected winners from the pool of nominees. The program lasted eight weeks, with a winner selected each week who received three iPad minis for their respective schools.

“Many of these students are from amazing backgrounds and have had to overcome a variety of obstacles in their lives,” said Stadelman. “They’re so strong, mature and well-rounded.”

A banquet at the end of the program brought all of the winners and their families together to celebrate. Two lucky students, Eric Racan and Mia Bartoles, were randomly selected to receive laptop computers.

FrackNation Finds Critical Acclaim

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:04:26 GMT

The creators of FrackNation speak on a panel during a
special screening of the documentary.

More and more documentaries are making headlines and finding critical acclaim covering every topic imaginable, including the oil and natural gas industry.

Most recently, journalist Phelim McAleer’s documentary FrackNation has been garnering attention from critics and audiences as it shines the spotlight on hydraulic fracturing and the claims made in GasLand.

McAleer raised $212,265 in funds for his documentary through kickstarter.com, a funding platform for creative projects. Supporters contribute to projects for everything from films, games and music to art, design and technology. McAleer was backed by 3,305 private citizens and accordingly states that, “All funds from oil and gas companies or their executives were explicitly rejected.”

The effort has paid off, as many of the nation’s top newspapers and publications agree that FrackNation does an excellent job of highlighting the other side of safe hydraulic fracturing and the impact this economic possibility has made for rural America.

The New York Times article published on January 10, 2013, suggested, “If your only exposure to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking — the process of extracting natural gas from shale — has been Josh Fox’s alarming documentary, ‘Gasland,’ then ‘FrackNation’ would like your attention. Claiming that Mr. Fox’s chilling conclusions are misleading at best, Phelim McAleer and his fellow directors, Ann McElhinney and Magdalena Segieda, attempt to prove that shale gas just might be ‘the miracle of the 21st century.’”

The New York Post added on January 11, 2013, “If you get an Oscar nomination for fearmongering based on rumors and lies, what do you get for debunking the Oscar nominee? Nothing, probably, but Phelim McAleer, who in ‘FrackNation’ gleefully shreds assertions made in the anti-fracking documentary ‘Gasland,’ should be content to have struck a blow for truth.”

According to Variety on January 16, 2013, the documentary provides audiences with food for thought, “But the more thoughtful and politics-oriented audiences targeted by this well-reasoned film from helmers Phelim McAleer, Ann McElhinney and Magdalena Segieda will find plenty to chew over, including the possibility that perhaps all is not as simple as it seems in the world of nonrenewable energy.”

The Associated Press also noted, “One leading environmentalist welcomed ‘FrackNation's’ take and said he can't wait to see it … ‘It's great this guy's done this documentary. I think it's sort of a second wave to the more hysterical first reaction to fracking,’ said Michael Shellenberger, President of the Breakthrough Institute, a Berkeley, California, nonprofit that argues for new ways to address environmental problems.”

McAleer and his team are currently hosting screenings across the country. Visit fracknation.com to find screenings in your area or purchase the DVD.

Program Puts the Spotlight on Workforce Development

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:58:26 GMT

2+2+2 program brings new dynamic to natural gas
workforce training.

Developing a workforce training curriculum from scratch requires involvement from many groups, and what a partnership of institutions and agencies in northern Pennsylvania envisioned seemed even more daunting.

When Mansfield University began developing courses to serve the burgeoning natural gas industry, Interim-president Dr. Allan Golden contacted Carol Adukaitis at the State System of Higher Education. Working with Adukaitis, the Marcellus Institute at Mansfield University began reaching out to other contacts in the region in collaboration with the Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center (CTC), developed the 2+2+2 idea — two years of high school, two years of college-level education for an associate’s degree and two additional years of college for a bachelor’s.

Formed a short 14 months ago, the partner organizations are now explaining how to replicate their success elsewhere. At a symposium hosted by the Pennsylvania Association of Career & Technology Administrators, the partnership — Adukaitis, Dr. Alice Davis of the Susquehanna County CTC, Frank Thompson of the Northern Tier Workforce Investment Board, Superintendent Keith Yarger from the Southern Tioga School District, Dr. Jeanette Carter of the Penn College, Lindsey Sikorski of Mansfield and Mike Narcavage of Chesapeake Energy Corporation — presented their innovative 2+2+2 program.

“A successful partnership depends on the people working together to overcome the many obstacles encountered building an industry-recognized curriculum. It all comes back to people,” said Adukaitis. “Workforce development creates economic development.”

Thompson pointed out that drilling a single well requires more than 400 people working in roughly 150 occupations. Narcavage noted that the biggest hiring challenges companies are facing to filling these positions is a lack of local, industry experience and the untraditional nature of the work schedule — both of which are addressed through the new regional education pathway.

The Susquehanna County CTC has developed a variety of high school and adult technical education programs to provide foundational skills. Penn College and Mansfield have developed a full slate of advanced curriculums to cater to topics ranging from surveying to welding. Southern Tioga School District, which doesn’t have a CTC in the county, has developed a dual enrollment agreement with regional colleges to meet this need.

The program continues to grow and evolve. Penn College recently added nine educational tracks, along with changes to its legal and paralegal tracks to include industry land leasing. Mansfield is adding a minor in natural gas production and service, plus geology and geography master’s degree programs.

“It has been the situation that we have had to send people into the workforce with whatever skills they happened to have,” said Davis. “By working directly with the natural gas and oil industry, we’re now honing the technical and soft skills this workforce needs.”

Annual Count Puts Focus on the Homeless

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:57:50 GMT

Point-in-Time Homeless Count evaluates local
homeless populations to help groups provide
much-needed assistance.

Every January volunteers around the nation gather in locally organized groups to take stock of their region’s homeless population. The effort's goal — identify how groups can provide more effective services to the less fortunate.

Headed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Point-in-Time Homeless Count is conducted by a variety of community groups and nonprofits. Through the program, they count homeless families or individuals within the group’s service area and evaluate the population’s needs, while gauging the effectiveness of current housing and outreach programs.

“The data collected during this program is valuable for organizations that provide services to the homeless,” said Sarah Graham, Volunteer Connection Manager at the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. “It can be used to tailor programs and is a crucial tool in securing funding for programming that reaches the homeless.”

The count establishes a base number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in a region and categorizes each case as a homeless adult, homeless household with one or more children or homeless household with only children — a household where every member is under the age of 17. Other factors such as medical conditions, substance abuse or mental illness may also be assessed depending on the region.

The Caritas House and Wesley United Methodist Church coordinate the local count in Monongalia and Preston counties. The United Way teams up with these local groups every January with volunteers handing out hot coffee, breakfast and lunch, as well as any available clothing or gift donations.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation donated 800 winter hats to the United Way for this year’s count.

Forging Positive Bonds in the Mountain State

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:56:38 GMT

Mentorship programs can provide students with
encouragement in and out of the classroom.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation employees have been reaching out to provide support and encouragement to young students for nearly two decades. Launched in 1995, Chesapeake’s mentorship program has seen employees invest countless hours into the lives of students around the country. Employees are continuing that tradition in the company’s Charleston, West Virginia, field office.

Through the efforts of 10 employee mentors, the office is teaming up with a local elementary school to work with students from less-fortunate or single-parent backgrounds. Mentors in the program meet with their students once a week to provide help with homework, tutor the student in specific subjects, work on arts and crafts projects or just play games and relax in a positive atmosphere. Mentors are paired with students on a case-by-case basis and, if successful, can remain with the student as he or she moves onto higher grade levels.

“We are investing in the lives of each child in our program and know that our time spent with them will help benefit their grades and life choices,” said Jennifer Cox, Chesapeake Manager – Corporate Development. “I’ve learned that being an effective mentor doesn’t mean just tutoring a student. I’ve been able to foster a friendship and create a bond with my mentee that may not have happened otherwise.”

Cecilia Shafer has been a field geologist responsible for mud logging for Nomac, Chesapeake’s drilling affiliate, since last October. It’s a demanding job where she works 12-hour shifts for two straight weeks at a time. Because of her constant on-the-go schedule, Shafer felt like she wasn’t making the most of her free time. In college she mentored freshman students and spoke to high schoolers about women working in math- and science-based fields, so Chesapeake’s mentorship program was a natural fit.

“It's important to foster education for young women, especially in West Virginia. I want to let these girls know it's OK to approach whatever it is they want to do,” said Shafer.

She also helps her mentee with schoolwork and meets with her a few days per week when her schedule allows her to be in town. This month Shafer and her mentee made friendship bracelets as a token of their bond.

“I’ve had a strong support system that encouraged me to do the things I wanted to do, and I want to share a piece of that where I can,” she said. “If you have support and love to give, it's important to take the time to share it with those who could use it most.”

New Training Program Offers Gateway to Natural Gas

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:55:05 GMT

Using clear PVC pipes, production simulation equipment
shows students what’s happening above and below
the ground.

Job seekers in Appalachia will soon have another avenue for the kind of technical training that can lead to quality, high-paying jobs in the natural gas and oil industry. Through West Virginia Northern Community College’s (WVNCC) newly developed Petroleum Technology program, students will learn industry processes, obtain certification in key areas and gain hands-on experience with the types of equipment employees encounter in the field.

“These courses are designed to create a well-rounded employee that has a firm understanding of the processes required to work in the industry and associated fields,” said Michael Koon, Vice President of Workforce Development at WVNCC. “The curriculum is also tailored to the Appalachian region to specifically address the skills needed in Marcellus and Utica Shale development.”

And where classroom study can’t take students, laboratory classes certainly will. The program is partnering with Chesapeake Energy Corporation to construct a custom-built production simulator that will provide an above and belowground look at the inner workings of a natural gas or oil well. Scaled down to fit inside the school’s new Applied Technology building at the Wheeling, West Virginia, campus, the simulator will be a key component to the program, offering students a primer on the production process.

Using PVC pipe to show underground activity, the simulator demonstrates three fully functional types of wells — plunger lift, sucker rod and disposal — and contains two sets of production equipment. In addition, the program will also use hydraulics, pumps, heavy equipment and even a drilling rig to offer real-time training.

The curriculum was developed in cooperation with natural gas and oil companies and industry groups such as the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, a fact Koon thinks will give students an edge in the job market.

“There are jobs in the area that didn’t exist a few years ago, and they’re going to be here awhile,” said Koon. “We’re excited by what this program can bring to the community and how, by providing the proper training and promoting best safety practices, there is a wonderful opportunity for real jobs.”

WVNCC hopes to have the program up and running in the fall semester, offering a one-year certification program or a two-year associate’s degree program. The program also offers up to six certifications.

Girl Day Introduces Young Women to Engineering

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:45:30 GMT

Students learn how to put engineering to work as they
design their own rollercoaster.

Engineering isn’t just for the boys. A fact Bridgemont Community and Technical College aimed to prove in Charleston, West Virginia, during this year’s “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.”

Commonly referred to as Girl Day, this educational session is part of Engineers Week, a program that celebrates the contributions of engineers to society. Originally celebrated in 1951, Engineers Week offers nationwide events such as engineering competitions, awards presentations, classroom visits, Girl Day and Engineering Family Day, which brings in more than 8,500 attendees to exhibits in Washington, D.C.

The goal of Girl Day is to reach out to young women who may have an interest in pursuing a career in engineering and celebrate the achievements of women in the field.

“This is a great opportunity for girls to learn what great things they can accomplish,” said Dr. Beverly Jo Harris, President of Bridgemont Community and Technical College. “By exposing these students to the exciting field of engineering technology, these young women may become the next generation of engineers and scientists to move West Virginia forward in a global economy.”

Eighth grade girls in Charleston spent Girl Day at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences with female engineering and science professionals where they participated in engineering technology demonstrations and experiments.

Chesapeake employees Melissa Hatfield-Atkinson, Senior Environmental Specialist – Air, and Cassie Casto, EHS Field Specialist, offered encouragement to the young attendees.

“This is such a fantastic opportunity to get young ladies thinking more about science and engineering and choosing a career path they might not have otherwise considered,” said Hatfield-Atkinson, who received degrees in chemical engineering and chemistry at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery, West Virginia. “I’m very excited to be participating in this event.”

Bringing the Scottish Highlands to Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:55:15 GMT

On March 17, millions of people around the world will don green and satisfy their yearly appetite for bagpipe music for St. Patrick’s Day.

But fans of the distinct instrument don’t have to wait that long. On a cold morning, Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Rory Sweeney accompanied a group of groggy, but intrigued young students on their walk from the Bradford County YMCA in Towanda, Pennsylvania, to the Towanda School District’s grounds, piping the whole way.

The YMCA participates in a National Walk to School initiative, which invites community members to share their talents or teachings with the students as they walk to school. Previous invitees have been police officers and other community figures. The Towanda School District’s Wellness Committee organizes the walk, and the YMCA, as part of the committee, hosts it.

“The walk-to-school event is a great way to bring families and the community together to celebrate healthy living and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity,” said Patty Dawsey, Director of Community Relations and Resource Development for Memorial Hospital in Towanda and the group’s representative on the wellness committee. “Kudos to the Bradford County YMCA and the Towanda Area School District, who partner in their shared commitment to encourage families to be active and have fun!”

And though it was cold, Sweeney couldn’t agree more, happy to be a part of the event.

“My fingers stopped working a little bit at times, but no one seemed to notice,” said Sweeney, Chesapeake Media Relations Coordinator. “I love playing for anyone who’ll listen, and the kids were excited the whole time!”

Sweeney also volunteers his bagpiping talents for other local events, including the Kiwanis Club of Sullivan County’s annual Winterfest and the Bradford County Historical Society’s St. Patrick’s Gala, which will be held on Thursday, March 14, at 109 Pine St. in Towanda.

Leading by Example

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:50:44 GMT

Dr. Carolyn Atkins and WVU Mountaineer, Jonathan
Kimble, record a message for SASO’s fall video campaign.

Being a middle school student in the internet age can be daunting. Besides grappling with reading, writing and arithmetic, young students may be exposed to serious adult issues including drugs and violence, making the early teenage years difficult to navigate. Supportive role models are an important factor in steering students in the right direction, and sometimes even a simple word of advice can make all the difference.

That’s where programs such as West Virginia University’s (WVU) Student Athletes Speak Out! (SASO) come in, offering collegiate athletes a chance to connect with young students and provide encouragement and advice. The project’s aim is to promote overall character education in middle school students throughout the state, educating them on subjects including bullying, drugs and alcohol, while instilling values such as teamwork, compassion and self-respect.

This fall SASO launched two programs that put well-known WVU athletes in front of the camera and into middle schools around the state. The first program, "Character. Own it.," brought WVU students together to talk about integrity, peer pressure and self-confidence. In "Bullying is NEVER okay!," student athletes addressed the growing issue of bullying in school and online.

Created in the spring of 1990 by Dr. Carolyn Atkins, who was awarded the West Virginia CASE Professor of the Year award in 2005, SASO serves as a class to prepare WVU students for public speaking and as a means to educate young students on social issues. Since its creation, SASO has produced a number of character education DVDs, radio advertisements, online videos and a website.

“Sportswriter Bob Hertzel noted in a 2005 article that I had started the class without knowing where it would lead me. He was right. Like others, it was initially difficult to understand a world from which I did not come. And, like others, I am inspired by those who have escaped such environments and have developed meaningful lives for themselves,” said Dr. Atkins. “I know their stories. They need to be told so that others can learn and be inspired. I am so grateful to Chesapeake for helping me provide such powerful character education advocates to middle school students throughout the state of West Virginia.”

Chesapeake sponsored SASO’s fall campaign. Visit SASO’s website to watch these inspirational videos and find out more about this impactful program.

CNG is Fueling the Mountain State

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:49:06 GMT

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin addresses a crowd at the site of
IGS Energy’s first proposed CNG fueling station in Charleston,
West Virginia.

IGS Energy CNG Services has announced a plan to build four compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations along Interstate 79. The new facilities will form a CNG corridor that will allow private and public vehicles to traverse West Virginia on affordable, clean-burning natural gas.

Finding growing popularity in the transportation sector, CNG burns cleaner than conventional gasoline and diesel and produces 30% less carbon dioxide and 75% less carbon monoxide during combustion. CNG also produced 95% less particulate matter.

“Natural gas offers a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline or diesel. Because natural gas is abundant and produced domestically, vehicles fueled by natural gas are becoming an increasingly popular transportation option,” said Scott White, President of IGS Energy CNG Services.

The $10 million corridor is an answer to growing interest in alternative fueling infrastructure in the Mountain State, where the governor has established a natural gas task force and projects such as the Kanawha Converts Consortium are studying CNG options at the county level.

“This is a great day for West Virginia — it’s one my Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force has been looking forward to since their very first meeting back in July 2011,” said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. “West Virginia has been blessed with an abundance of natural gas, and I’m extremely appreciative of the many dedicated folks who are working hard to find the best way for our state to use it as a cost-saving means of transportation.”

Phase one of the project is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2013 with the construction of stations in Charleston, Jane Lew and Bridgeport, West Virginia. The fourth station will be built in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania. The combined stations will support light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, while supplying a homegrown fuel that costs less than gasoline or diesel, all while providing the kind of fueling experience consumers have become accustomed to.

“Our plans for a fueling corridor respond to the emerging market demand for fast, convenient refueling of CNG vehicles,” said White. “Our stations will offer convenient locations and enable drivers to refuel in about the same time it would take at a conventional gasoline station.”

Chesapeake, Antero Resources, EQT Corporation and the West Virginia Department of Highways have all committed to fueling their CNG vehicles along the new corridor.

Chesapeake Releases Inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:38:19 GMT

Developing America’s natural gas and oil resources takes the cooperation and support of numerous groups. That’s why Chesapeake Energy Corporation is committed to consistent engagement with the communities where it operates. The company works diligently with stakeholders to better understand their concerns, continuously improve its operation and create sustainability, profitable growth and value for everyone.

As part of this effort, Chesapeake has released its inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report, which provides an informative and transparent view of its operations and practices including corporate governance, environmental, health and safety, community outreach and more.

View the full report.

Bradford County Celebrates the Big 200

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:46:54 GMT

Residents celebrate in Towanda, Pennsylvania, at the
Bradford County Bicentennial Ball.

In 1812 a legislative act honoring William Bradford, the second Attorney General of the United States under George Washington, was passed. With that proclamation, the burgeoning Bradford County was born.

Home to its Eastern Division headquarters, Chesapeake Energy Corporation proudly co-sponsored the county’s 200th birthday celebration with the Bradford County Historical Society. County residents were treated to quite a show. Close to 400 people attended a ball in the county seat of Towanda, Pennsylvania, at St. Agnes School where Chesapeake received the Lifetime Corporate Membership award for its support over the past years.

“As a board member of the Bradford County Historical Society, I couldn't be more pleased by the overall success of the Bicentennial Ball. It was a celebration that will certainly go down in Bradford County's history books, and it couldn't have been possible without the contributions of our sponsors,” said Event Chairwoman Lauren Hotaling. “Bradford County and the Historical Society are blessed with strong community stakeholders like Chesapeake, CDK Perforation, Talisman Energy, Hurley's Supermarkets, The Daily Review and all of the other local businesses that made this night a success!”

Center Takes Jobsite Safety Training to New Levels

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:45:42 GMT

Volunteer firefighters practice fire safety techniques at the
ETEC in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Being prepared is the key to proper emergency response in every industry. With the opening of the Energy Technology Education Center (ETEC) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, emergency responders and jobseekers alike can receive hands-on training in real world scenarios.

A collaboration of the Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety, the facility’s courses provide emergency response education while helping meet the area’s growing workforce development needs.

“One of the greatest advantages of this site is that it gives first responders a real look at equipment they may encounter in the field, and the opportunity to be trained in response methods should their services ever be needed,” explained Craig Konkle, Lycoming County Emergency Response Coordinator and a key collaborator in developing the ETEC facility. “I like to think this is as close as you can get to being there without being there.”

Made possible through grants and donations from industry companies, including Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the facility features a wellhead, water-storage tanks, separator unit and more that allow trainees to become familiar with a typical to wellsites.

Read more about the ETEC facility and its courses.

Capital Classic Hits the Hard Court Again

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:03:44 GMT

The handmade Capital Classic trophies are
crafted by local glass producer the Blenko
Glass Company, which has been operating in
West Virginia since 1921.

December marked the 21st consecutive meeting of rivals West Virginia and Marshall in Charleston, West Virginia at the Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic. The matchup, which sees the men’s and women’s teams square off on back-to-back days at the Charleston Civic Center, drew record crowds. The Lady Mountaineers toppled Marshall 64 – 48 in the opener, while more than 11,500 spectators watched WVU earn bragging rights in a tense 69 – 59 victory.

“Chesapeake is proud to sponsor this exciting game where thousands of West Virginians gather to root for their favorite teams,” said Jennifer Baldwin Cox, Chesapeake Energy Corporation Manager - Corporate Development.

After the men’s game, Major Larry Belcher of the West Virginia Air National Guard and Tech Sergeant Kevin Followay of the West Virginia Army National Guard presented the trophy to WVU.

Other National Guard members attended the game and were honored with a special announcement thanking them, and all of West Virginia’s veterans, for their service.

“This year’s recognition of our servicemen and women was simply touching,” said Cox.”

H.E.L.P.ing out at the Salvation Army

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:03:15 GMT

Chesapeake’s Diane Balogh, Office Administrator, and Colin
Monaghan, Coordinator - Corporate Development, help stock
food inventory for the Wellsburg Salvation Army unit.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s H.E.L.P. for the Holidays initiative reaches out to communities in a big way, offering employees a chance to give back during the holiday season. This year, 15 employees from the company’s offices in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and Belmont, Ohio, spent what’s known as Distribution Day at the Wellsburg Salvation Army distributing holiday turkeys to registered families, stocking food pantries and helping at the community thrift store.

“You could tell the Chesapeake folks were having a lot of fun,” said Barb McConnell, a social services caseworker at the Wellsburg unit. “Chesapeake really belongs to the community in the way they reach out to groups like ours. Their employees are out here helping make a real difference.”

Serving Brooke County, West Virginia, the organization relies heavily on volunteers to help provide social services including utility assistance, clothing vouchers and support for families impacted by fire or natural disasters. It also operates a local thrift store which provides clothing, furniture and other household items at a discounted rate, as well as a lunch program that offers free meals on Wednesdays and Fridays.

In all, this year’s distribution program served more than 200 families.

With one full-time and two part-time employees, providing services to the more than 50 families that come in each month might seem like a daunting task, but McConnell said the unit’s employees and volunteers are built for it.

“Once you’re here, it’s in your heart forever and you never want to leave,” she said. “I truly, truly love my job.”

In addition to the almost 70 hours of volunteer work, Chesapeake donated $3,000 to help with funding for the group.

West Virginia Enjoys Job and Wage Growth

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:02:03 GMT

The natural gas and oil industry is continuing to fuel West Virginia’s economy, according to a recent Workforce West Virginia report.

Published in November, The Influence of the Marcellus Shale on Employment and Wages in West Virginia provides a tremendous picture of growth for the state. The report found that since 2008, shale gas development has added 916 jobs in the state, which have resulted in a 9.5% overall growth in industry employment. In addition, annual industry salaries in the state have risen by more than $8,000 during the same period.

Natural gas and oil core industries support more than 10,500 jobs in the state, with notable employment and wage increases in a number of areas. Employment in the construction of pipelines and storage tanks has seen a 50% increase in the last four years, with a wage growth of 18.9%. Those companies that provide excavation, surveying and well work services have seen a 28% wage increase and a 36% boost in employment in the same timeframe.

The report brings welcome news for West Virginia, and shows the growth potential behind the high-quality jobs the Marcellus Shale is providing for the Mountain State.

You can see the full report here.

Spreading Holiday Cheer in Monongalia County

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:01:08 GMT

At the Morgantown National Guard Armory, volunteers
packed more than 30 tons of food items for distribution to
the county’s less fortunate.

Once a year, a multitude of Morgantown residents gather together, roll up their sleeves and descend upon the local National Guard armory in a determined four-day effort to distribute donated food and toys to more than 600 families in need.

It’s called the WCLG/United Way Holiday Food and Christian Help Toy Distribution, and for the last 31 years it’s brought together a number of agencies, companies and families in an effort to provide a holiday boost to Monongalia County’s less fortunate.

“The distribution has really become a widespread, community-based effort,” said Brandi Potock Helms, Executive Director of the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. “Volunteers take a day off work and bring their families and friends and join community groups, Boy Scout troops and even whole classrooms who come out and show a real spirit of service.”

Organized by the United Way, local radio station WCLG and local nonprofit organization Christian Help, preparations for the event begin in the fall when the United Way partners with the postal service to organize a community food drive. Residents leave donations out for postal workers to collect during their daily routes, which are then stored at the armory for distribution week. Meanwhile, WCLG spearheads additional food drives in the local school system with Christian Help collecting toys and gifts. A variety of local businesses and community groups help out by filling in needed donation gaps.

This year the distribution provided 30 tons of food to 1,900 individuals and toys to almost 2,000 children, as well as some donated food items to local food panties.

“It’s amazing how widespread this has become over the years,” said Helms. “The sheer number of volunteers, families, companies and agencies that come together each year to make this happen is astounding.”

Chesapeake Energy Corporation provided 1,500 durable grocery bags made from recycled materials to the project.

Putting Bradford County Youths Back in the Saddle

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:41:02 GMT

KV Kid Kutie ponies up as part of the 4-H program with
(left to right) Kylee Ravenscroft and Olivia Hardenstine.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the 4-H program has maintained a focus on teaching leadership, citizenship and life skills to its young participants. This volunteer-led, hands-on learning program has reached more than 6 million youth; 540,000 volunteers; 3,500 professionals and more than 60 million alumni through the years.

While many 4-H programs are funded through state and federal grants, some programs simply do not bring in enough to provide a complete educational experience. The Bradford County Horse and Pony 4-H Club is one such group, and despite no general funding, the club has excelled during the past years.

The program offers a wide range of horse education curriculums such as saddling, bridling, barrel riding and competitive trail riding. Typically, around 100 students are given the ability to participate in one horse show. While this experience is highly beneficial, a well-rounded program would include additional show experience and the opportunity to attend state competitions. Judges at higher level competitions are very hands on — giving students more instructional information that enhances the educational experience.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation recently gave $3,600 to the program, allowing students to participate in several safety and riding clinics, a roundup show and two additional shows not previously attended.

“The benefits of working together with businesses in our area are enormous for our 4-H members,” said Linda Elsbree, 4-H Program Assistant. “The children who come from this area will have more opportunities to grow and learn about how giving back can benefit everyone. These youths are our future veterinarians, business leaders and farmers. Through generous companies such as Chesapeake, our children can have a chance to earn money for college through raising a project animal, improving the community parks that we take pride in and planning other constructive events.”

A Selfless Call Leads to a Higher Calling

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:38:42 GMT

Fueling freedom in more ways than one, Flynn Energy’s
Kevin Welickovitch, EJ Flynn and Ed Flynn keep things
running at the Freedom Tower in the aftermath of
Hurricane Sandy.

A few years ago, E.J. Flynn, owner and president of the Towanda, Pennsylvania-based Flynn Energy Transport, purchased a fuel truck from a supplier in New Jersey and started a prosperous business. The trucks were critical in expanding Flynn’s fleet, which supplies essential fuel to the natural gas industry. From a 2008 startup with one truck, to its current size with 40 employees and 27 trucks, Flynn Energy was able to grow around the burgeoning natural gas industry in Northeast Pennsylvania. A long-time Chesapeake contractor, Flynn credits Chesapeake as an integral part of his business’ growth.

“It’s been a rapid process. We couldn’t have started a company like we did if it wasn’t for Chesapeake and other operators exploring for the natural gas,” said Flynn.

But this October, Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, leaving utter devastation in its wake. With 7.5 million reported power outages, losses estimated at least $50 billion and more than 80 lives lost, the storm left an indelible mark on millions of residents and businesses.

Concerned for the well-being of his associate in New Jersey, Flynn called to make sure he was safe. The supplier was fine, but he explained to Flynn that the area desperately needed fuel. The next day, Flynn sent five fuel trucks.

Heading into New York City, the caravan was escorted by state police to a number of locations in need of fuel. Ambulances and fire trucks were some of the first to receive the valuable fuel and LaGuardia and JFK airports received shipments to keep their operations going.

One of the most impactful calls for Flynn came from the New York Port Authority. It needed fuel for Freedom Tower — the 1,776-foot tall building being constructed at the former site of the World Trade Center. During the hurricane, the basement of Freedom Tower flooded with 125 million gallons of water.

The lights never go out in Freedom Tower, which serves as “a beacon of freedom and demonstrates the resolve of the United States and the people of New York City.” The lighting is a reminder of what the nation endured during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the effort to rebuild.

Thus began Flynn Energy’s 10-day effort to fuel pumps and generators by transporting 4,500 gallons of fuel per day. The 24/7 operation was run by Flynn’s team using critical pinpoint logistics that could change at a moment’s notice. Flynn credits its experience dealing with companies such as Chesapeake for its ability to change plans quickly and efficiently during relief efforts.

“I don’t know if an average company could have met this challenge,” Flynn explained. “Had we not had the oilfield experience, I’m not sure we would have had the versatility to change gears quickly and do everything they asked us to do.”

As Flynn and his father stepped out onto the 104th floor of Freedom Tower to sign their names on a steel beam, he knew they had risen to the challenge and exceeded all expectations.

“I felt in my head and heart we could help in this situation,” said Flynn. “Things change quickly in the aftermath of disaster. Minute by minute, hour by hour, phone call by phone call — we were ready.”

By the end of the project, Flynn Energy had delivered 120,000 gallons of fuel through the efforts of the company’s volunteers. And the admiration Flynn has for his team is obvious.

“It just started out as a quick phone call to see if we could help. I am just unbelievably proud of our employees who pulled together for this calling,” he said. “I guess you can set a goal, but to be in this situation and succeed is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s going to be hard to top that.”

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:32:43 GMT

Nomac Drilling Administrative Assistance Angela Moniger

(right) presents Corner Food Bank representatives Jan

Caldwell (left) and Sami Kniha (center) more than 100 pounds

of food collected by Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, employees.

Chesapeake employees have always been eager to roll up their sleeves and help the communities where they live and work. This holiday season is no different. As the year winds down, Chesapeake volunteers teamed up with a variety of programs throughout West Virginia to lend a hand and spread a little cheer.

In the company’s Mount Morris, Pennsylvania, field office, employees collected more than 100 pounds of nonperishable food items for the Corner Cupboard Food Bank in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The bank serves all of Greene County, distributing groceries to the hungry and homeless.

In Charleston, West Virginia, the company donated to the Circle of Hope, a holiday project run by local nonprofit, Mountain Mission. This year, the project will serve an estimated 1,300 families.

“Recent storms have taken their toll on some of the smaller food banks and programs in the area,” said Janice Amspoker, Resource and Development Manager at the Mountain Mission. “This year, Mountain Mission is able to step in and help fill some of those needs, thanks to volunteer support and donations from companies like Chesapeake — a major community factor here in the Kanawha Valley and throughout the state.”

In Morgantown, West Virginia, employees donated 30 personal fleece blankets to the Rosenbaum Family House at WVU Healthcare. The house, which offers lodging and support services for hospital patients and their families during surgery or treatments, supported more than 750 families last year.

Chesapeake employees have also been busy participating in a number of H.E.L.P. (Helping Energize Local Progress) for the Holidays projects this season. Visit our Marcellus Facebook page throughout the holidays to see more.

A Tribute to Stand the Test of Time

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:30:13 GMT

Donations from local companies and the community at large helped
to create a memorial to Brooke County’s fallen heroes.

It’s been more than eight years since Lance Corporal Michael J. Smith Jr. was killed in action while assisting a wounded soldier in Iraq. But last Veterans Day, his legacy, and that of more than 150 Brooke County veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice throughout a century of conflict, were immortalized in Wellsburg’s Brooke Hills Park.

The Brooke Veterans Memorial Park project, the result of a promise to Lance Corporal Smith’s family that his sacrifice would never be forgotten by the community, was officially opened with a Veterans Day ribbon-cutting. Brooke Veterans Memorial Park Foundation President Howard Armstrong and Lance Corporal Smith’s aunt, Joan Nicholson, were a driving force behind the project.

Armstrong explained that donations from local companies and the community were a major factor in getting the memorial completed on schedule and under budget. Other companies, like Lindy and Kelly Paving, donated the time and materials to install handicapped-accessible parking and access to the memorial site. Chesapeake Energy Corporation donated $15,000 to the project during its fundraising campaign in 2011.

“We’re very pleased, and we’ve had a tremendous amount of comments and positive feedback from the community and those that visit the memorial,” said Armstrong. “There’s always someone visiting the site, even in the cold winter months. The community and local businesses, large and small, really stepped up to the plate to make this project become a reality and it brings a lot to the community and Brooke Hills Park.”

The foundation is still taking donations to cover future maintenance costs. However, Armstrong said that the memorial is built tough and that the design requires little care.

“The memorial isn’t waterfalls and light shows,” he said. “It’s a simple, strong and elegant tribute to our heroes that is designed to last a very, very long time.”

Visit the Brooke Veterans Park website to learn more about the memorial. You can also read more abut the project’s kickoff campaign in our Fall 2011 Community Ties.

Preserving the Past: Glen Dale’s Cockayne Farmstead

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:25:51 GMT

More than 160 years later, the Cockayne Farmstead is

connecting students with their roots through history and

horticulture.

Built in the 1850s, the 11-room Cockayne house in Glen Dale, West Virginia, is the centerpiece of a once bustling farmstead. Originally called the Glen Dale Farm — from which the town gets its name — the Cockayne Farmstead was internationally known for its high-quality Merino sheep’s wool.

The farmstead shrank in size throughout the years to less than two acres, but remained in the Cockayne family for four generations until it was bequeathed to Marshall County in 2001 upon the death of the house’s final owner and caretaker, Samuel A. J. Cockayne. From there, the Marshall County Historical Society took over the site and began restoring the house and property to its turn-of-the-century glory.

A WWII veteran and farmer, Samuel had lived in the house since 1953 and, fortunately for local historians, didn’t update much. Furnishings and items inside the home date back to the late 1800s and include more than 1,500 artifacts; 12,000 pieces of paper including books, magazines, deeds, letters and receipts; and a piano purchased from a local music store in September of 1881. The property also houses a Native American burial mound the Cockayne family protected over the years.

The Cockayne house sits adjacent to John Marshall High School, which was built on farmstead land sold to the county nearly 50 years ago. Students studying horticulture have been maintaining a vegetable garden on the farmstead and will tend to a new orchard being installed this year using a $5,000 donation from Chesapeake Energy Corporation. Both a garden and orchard appear on an 1877 engraving of the house, making the project all the more meaningful.

Tom Tarowsky, Program Director for the Cockayne project, said that working with the students is one way to keep the farmstead’s rich agricultural heritage alive and that the school’s agriculture teacher, Nicole Shipman, has been a driving force in connecting students with the historic site.

“Working with Nicole and her students has been a great relationship for the society and the preservation project,” he said. “These students are learning about horticulture and a little local history at the same time. They’re producing something from the land here, and that’s a real connection to what drove the history of this place.”

The house is currently closed to the public while the society has a geothermal air-conditioning system installed. The system, which will be hidden in the house’s many fireplaces, will control humidity and temperature and protect the house’s artifacts from the elements. The society hopes to have the house reopened by the 150th anniversary of the formation of West Virginia on June 20, 2013.

For more information on the preservation project, visit cockaynefarm.com.

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:57:06 GMT

When Bradford County native Maria Jo Noble was honored in the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders (DTL) program in 2011, it was a sign of things to come. In September 2012 she showed the qualities that earned her the award by being named the Pennsylvania State Dairy Princess.

The hard work and determination it takes to achieve this honorable position is substantial because the competition is fierce. With more than 60 counties participating, there are hundreds of young women vying for the title. County and state competitions involve performance art, public speaking, dairy industry knowledge and intense judge interviews. Not only do contestants need to demonstrate excellence and leadership, but they must also fully understand all aspects of dairy farming, from how to run a dairy farm to the economic impacts of the industry.

It's uncommon for the state winner to come from Bradford County. The more populated southern counties have dominated the program since the early 1950s. But Noble was competing for more than just herself, dedicating her run to supporting research to fight breast cancer in honor of her aunt and grandmother.

Founded by Chesapeake Energy Corporation, DTL has recognized a number of young leaders like Noble throughout its operating areas. Since 2007 the program has honored more than 120 high school students in northeastern Pennsylvania who demonstrate a strong sense of leadership, initiative and commitment.

Now 18 and taking college courses in agriculture education/communications, Noble will reign as dairy princess until September 2013, participating in hundreds of events. After that, she hopes to find a position teaching others about the industry she knows so well.

“I love working with kids, especially the kids who have no clue about cows,” she said. “They are so eager to learn.”

According to the Gillett resident, DTL helped her throughout the competition.

“It was a great honor to be named in Chesapeake’s leadership program. The experience led to my being very comfortable in a large setting,” she said. “I met so many people from outside my area over the last year. That confidence in interacting with them enabled me to demonstrate leadership when competing for dairy princess.”

Illuminating the Path to a Great Career

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:54:11 GMT

A jobseeker’s best resource is often those who’ve already been there. For Mansfield University graduates looking to land jobs in the natural gas industry, the person to ask is Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Josh Brown.

Born and raised in Bradford County, Josh graduated from Mansfield in 2003, majoring in geography with an environmental science emphasis and minoring in geology. He worked at several government planning positions before joining Chesapeake three years ago, where he works on development projects with local municipal and county governments and helps the company get permits for new construction.

He now returns to his alma mater whenever asked to discuss his journey and how he secured a job in Pennsylvania's burgeoning Marcellus Shale natural gas production industry. Recently, he attended the university's Marcellus Family Career Night and met with enthusiastic students and members of the public. With employee needs ranging from blue collar field workers to office administrators to highly skilled engineers and scientists, many students found opportunities.

"Responsibly and efficiently producing and delivering natural gas and oil to meet America's energy demands requires thousands of well-trained people with vastly different backgrounds and skill sets," Josh said. "I am fortunate to talk with Mansfield students, to answer questions and provide guidance that helps them understand what opportunities exist in this growing and extremely important industry."

Mansfield has taken a leading role in providing training for jobs in natural gas production, along with information and networking activities and hosting events similar to Career Night to help engage and educate the public about the industry.

"With Mansfield University’s position in the Marcellus Shale, we have an obligation to educate students and the community about the career and educational paths available within this emerging industry," said Lindsey Sikorski, Interim Director of The Marcellus Institute at Mansfield University. "Holding events such as the Marcellus Family Career Night allows attendees to interact and gain information from industry representatives, many of whom are Mansfield University alumni.”

Fitting in with the YMCA

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:17:21 GMT

The YMCA has a long-standing history of providing services and support to those in the community who need a helping hand. As part of that calling, the group reaches out to bring Ohio County students with special needs into an inclusive, fitness-oriented environment.

The Y-Fit-In program, a partnership between the Wheeling YMCA and Ohio County schools, is now in its second year. It offers students with physical and mental challenges a chance to stay active and participate in activities they might not otherwise get to take part in.

Y-Fit-In offers six sports and fitness-based sessions each year and will ultimately serve between 100 and 150 high school and middle school students a year. The Ohio County School Transportation Department, as a program partner, provides buses to shuttle the students to and from the YMCA.

The sessions can range from a fun day with inflatables to a basketball clinic where students learn basic shooting and dribbling skills. The athletic sessions also provide practice time for students planning to participate in local Special Olympics events.

Sessions are staffed by YMCA personnel and community volunteers and include a meal for participants, T-shirts, games and awards. The events offer a bit of competition, and awards are given out to students at the end.

“The YMCA Y-FIT-IN program strives to keep participants active and physically fit in an atmosphere of semi-competition and fun,” said Mike Panas, Executive Director of the Wheeling YMCA. “We are very appreciative of the financial support provided by Chesapeake that enables us to continue this worthwhile program.”

Chesapeake is a major sponsor of this year’s program.

Outfitting a Future Workforce

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:15:35 GMT

West Virginia’s workforce is continually evolving to meet growing employment opportunities in the state, and Chesapeake Energy Corporation is proud to support the efforts of those institutions on the front lines of workforce education.

The company recently donated plotters – large printers suitable for printing maps, blueprints and posters – and GPS units to schools throughout the state, including Bridgemont Community and Technical College, the West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Marshall University.

The equipment, valued at more than $65,000, will be used by students in civil engineering, drafting/design and geography applications, offering pupils the chance to work with modern gear.

“Students will be able to use the plotters to print posters for their geographic information system (GIS), GPS and capstone research projects,” said Dr. James Leonard of Marshall University’s Geography Department. “We teach at least three courses where GPS technology is used, so the GPS units will permit students to experience a broad range of available technology, complementing the recreation-grade GPS units we typically use.”

Eric Bess, Chesapeake Coordinator - GIS, said that the donations provide Chesapeake an opportunity to give back to those institutions developing such important skillsets in the state.

“The GPS units and plotters will serve as much more than standard office equipment for these programs,” he said. “In an economy where educational funding can be hard to come by, this essential gear will give these students an edge and better equip the next generation of designers and engineers heading out into our local workforce.”

Chesapeake also donated GPS units to local Boy Scout troops so that scouts can practice GPS basics and participate in geocaching events.

Digging Deep for Our Nation’s Veterans

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:14:48 GMT

On Veteran’s Day, weekend runners from across Appalachia showed their support for our nation’s heroes by participating in Operation Ultra, a 24-hour endurance run that raised money for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Held at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, Operation Ultra gave runners a full day to cover as much distance as possible. Fifteen participants covered 352 miles for the cause. Runners hit the pavement on a one-mile course while volunteers provided support at an aid and food station, and logged each runner’s distance.

Jim Lostroscio, an engineering technician at Chesapeake Midstream, created and organized the event.

“Now that the Iraq war has come to an end and the drawdown is beginning in Afghanistan, it is important to remember that we will soon have a nation of veterans who need to be reintegrated into their communities,” he said.

All registration proceeds were donated to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families.

Lostroscio, an Iraq War veteran, racked up 72 miles during the run.

“Being an Iraq War veteran and IAVA member, this run is especially meaningful to me and to the thousands of veterans we can impact through groups like the IAVA. They make sure the sacrifices of our fighting men and women are recognized and provide a network for veterans to connect, belong to and get ahead,” he said. “Running for 24 hours pales in comparison to the endurance required to fight day in and day out thousands of miles from home.”

Chesapeake Energy Corporation sponsored Operation Ultra, which raised $2,500 for the IAVA.

PA Encourages Natural Gas as Driving Fuel

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:37:55 GMT

Towanda, PA (WBNG Binghamton) State encourages public and private fleets to convert to compressed natural gas with $10 million grant.

Natural gas is booming in Pennsylvania.

That's why Duane Philips, operations manager for Williams Oil and Propane, is investing in compressed natural gas filling stations in the state.

"Pennsylvania sits on this enormous Marcellus shale deposit of natural gas and we think it's really important that we utilize it here," said Phillips.

His company put $1.5 million into the project, without a single guaranteed customer.

"We think it's really important that we had to make the move," Phillips said, "And build the site first before they would commit the vehicles."

In just a couple weeks, Phillips will open his first CNG station in Towanda. It will join one of about 20 CNG filling stations in the state.

"There are limited fueling stations," said Michelle Ferguson of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, "But there's a lot of interest, and the infrastructure is growing across the state."

The DEP has been holding state wide seminars teaching business owners how they can convert their fleets to natural gas.

The state is offering $10 million to help large fleet owners, including public transit, convert to the locally based fuel. Five million will go specifically to municipal transit services. The grant is only for large truck and fleet owners, not smaller trucks or cars.

At half the price of diesel, gas companies said it's a no brainer.

"I think if you have an abundance in your backyard," said William Freeman of Chesapeake Energy, "It just makes sense to convert to natural gas, saves you a lot of money."

Something Phillips is betting on.

This article was first published by WBNG on November 1, 2012.

Teaming Up with the United Way

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:28:51 GMT

Memorial Hospital President Gary Baker receives an award
from United Way representatives Jody Place, Elaine Elliott
and Bob Hugo.

The United Way of Bradford County has launched a variety of initiatives to serve local communities through its rich 35-year history. Now the organization is entering into a new era.

The local chapter announced its first-ever corporate partner – Chesapeake – at this year’s campaign kickoff ceremony. Chesapeake has pledged to cover the organization’s administrative costs, allowing it to focus more of its funding toward assisting Bradford Country residents.

"We have a lot of support, and we cannot give out enough thanks," Bradford County United Way Vice President of Fundraising Desiree Rockwell said.

While the partnership is meant to create a tradition of successful future corporate sponsorships, Chesapeake is also offering its employees an opportunity to lend their support. The company organized a pig roast for employees to launch its own annual internal campaign that provides a 100% match of all employee donations.

By partnering with the United Way on multiple levels, Chesapeake hopes to help the organization surpass this year’s $400,000 goal.

Down, But Never Out

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:29:35 GMT

Borough Mayor George Whyte presents Chesapeake Energy
Corporation with a key to the city in appreciation for going
above and beyond to help set the city right.

It’s been more than a year since Tropical Storm Lee caused the worst flooding the Susquehanna River Basin has seen in 40 years. The storm forced families to evacuate and left a wake of destruction in local communities.

Athens Borough, situated at the confluence of the Chemung and Susquehanna rivers, was among the communities hit worst by flooding. Hundreds of homes were submerged when the Susquehanna topped its banks and floodwater washed through town, creating a surge so strong that it destroyed a section of the levee along the Chemung. Overnight, South Main Street, the borough’s main commercial district and home to restaurants, doctors’ offices, retail shops and offices, found itself in the dark due to power outages.

But as the floodwaters receded, Chesapeake Energy Corporation employees joined volunteers from all over as they rolled up their sleeves to do what they could for residents. The company itself worked with local contractors to provide construction equipment. Within days, the area was on the road to recovery.

A year later, Athens has almost completely recovered. To mark the occasion, the Athens Business Association held a street fair and ribbon cutting to signify the reopening of downtown at the one-year anniversary and Borough Mayor George Whyte proclaimed it “Athens is Back Day.”

During the ceremony Whyte thanked everyone who assisted with the recovery efforts. He also presented Chesapeake with a key to the city, noting he had only presented four keys to the city in 20 years.

“I’ve never seen so many big loaders and trucks and men in my life,” he said. “It really was an amazing job.”

The street fair continued throughout the day and culminated with a communitywide karaoke contest in the downtown park.

Honoring Patriots on a Grand Scale

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:18:20 GMT

Standing proud – Day or night, travelers near Fairmont, West
Virginia, can’t miss this 30- by 50-foot memorial flag.

On Flag Day 2013, a massive American flag will be raised on a permanent flagpole installation 125 feet high in Fairmont, West Virginia, to honor our nation’s patriots. Dubbed the “Marion County Patriot Memorial Flag,” the project will accent a Korean War Veterans Memorial currently being constructed on the Gateway Connector Bridge which spans Interstate 79. The flag, which measures 30 by 50 feet, will be visible from both lanes.

Sponsored by Marion County Chapter 163 of the Korean War Veterans Association, the project has almost reached its fundraising goal. Rick Hardman, Vietnam veteran and designer of the flagpole project, said that because of wind, weather and the scale of the flags, two to three replacements will be needed each year, and that is why the project has established an endowment.

"We are continuing our efforts to build an endowment fund that will be invested to increase its value with the net income used to purchase new flags as they are needed," he said. “We're hoping that other sponsors will come forward [so] we could build this endowment very quickly and the project will become totally self-sufficient."

Chesapeake donated $3,000 for a floodlight system to illuminate the flagpole. Marion County Parks and Recreation will maintain the project after its dedication.

Expo Connects Industry

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:17:13 GMT

The second annual event boasted a number of impressive
demonstrations and even hosted live radio broadcasts with
several local stations.

For the second consecutive year, Morgantown’s Mylan Park was home to the West Virginia Oil and Gas Expo. Hosted by local Morgantown design and marketing firm, Asayo Creative Inc., and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA), the event offered an opportunity for businesses along the Marcellus Shale supply chain to connect.

Drawing more than 1,500 visitors, the venue boasted more than 280 exhibitors ranging from insurance and advertising to metal fabrication and industrial equipment supply, demonstrating a wide range of industrial and administrative products, along with vehicles and heavy equipment. Several local radio outlets were also on hand broadcasting about the promise of the area’s natural gas development.

Damian Ferek, President of Asayo Creative and expo founder, said the event outpaced last year’s gathering.

"We were very pleased with the expo and the feedback we have received already. As the industry becomes more competitive, we are excited to give our local companies the opportunity to showcase their products, technologies and services,” he said. “We were happy to see the variety of vendors from within West Virginia and look to build off of the momentum for the next year."

Chesapeake was a founding sponsor of the event.

Feeding Hungry Mountaineers

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:16:25 GMT

Chesapeake employees volunteer to sort and pack food bank
boxes during the company’s annual Operation Blue campaign.

For more than 30 years, the Mountaineer Food Bank has been feeding hungry West Virginians through a vast network of programs that reach even the most rural areas of the Mountain State.

Established in 1981 and headquartered in Gassaway, West Virginia, the group services more than 600 feeding programs in the state. In 2011 alone, the group distributed 9.5 million pounds of food that fed more than 250,000 people.

With a full-time staff of 17 and five to six part-time employees responsible for receiving, sorting, packaging and delivering the donated food, the bank works hard to service 48 of the state’s 55 counties through soup kitchens, shelters, food pantries, day care centers, senior centers and after-school programs.

“Presently we have more than 30 backpack programs in 15 counties receiving food from Mountaineer Food Bank,” said Carla Nardella, Mountaineer Food Bank Executive Director. “Our future goal is to have a backpack program in every school because we want to make sure children are not going hungry during the weekends or anytime.”

The backpack program aims to provide nutritious, hassle-free meals for elementary age students who may not have adequate food resources at home. Before school breaks, weekends and holidays, small packages of food are distributed to children and include items such as granola bars, fruit cups, cereal and juice boxes.

Chad Morrison, Director of Development at the food bank, said that most people don’t realize the sheer magnitude of food insecurity in the United States.

“One in eight people will visit a food pantry, kitchen or shelter in 2012, and children and seniors are the most at-risk because of food access,” he said. “West Virginia is very rural, which makes transportation an even larger obstacle. That makes the work of our partner agencies and the food bank even more important, because many of these people rely on our services.”

Chesapeake recently made a $5,000 donation to support the bank’s efforts and employees from the company’s nearby Jane Lew field office regularly serve as volunteers.

Natural Gas Swings for the Fences at Little League Series

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:44:23 GMT

The Midway's carnival atmosphere hits a home run with Little
League World Series patrons.

Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is an important hotspot for natural gas companies operating in the Marcellus Shale, but every August it also becomes the focus for hundreds of eager youths from all over the world when the Little League World Series comes to town.

This year, industry partners paid tribute to scores of young baseball enthusiasts by participating in the fan-favorite Grand Slam Parade, which traditionally opens the 10-day tournament. The American Petroleum Institute, the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, Energy Citizens, Energy in Depth and Vote4Energy all joined in the festivities, creating a midway where people could join in the fun as the parade passed by.

Participants passed out balloons, pins and copies of “Truthland,” and for the children, set up games like “pin the safety equipment on the industry worker” and a beanbag toss where the targets were natural gas regions throughout the country. For auto enthusiasts, Steve Howard of Conklin, New York, showcased a Toyota 4Runner converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

“The important part was celebrating the amazing achievements of the Little League players,” said Rory Sweeney, Chesapeake Media Relations Coordinator. “But it was also great to have this fun event for everyone to become a little bit more familiar with their neighbors in the natural gas industry.”

After 10 days of games, Tokyo Kitasuna LL from Tokyo, Japan, took home the title after defeating Southeast from Tennessee in the championship series.

Protecting Local Communities

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:42:24 GMT

Ready for the call — Chesapeake hosts operational tours to
educate emergency responders about the dos and don’ts
associated with natural gas facilities.

Emergency service personnel play a vital role in protecting their local communities. Tasked with being ready to respond to anything at a moment’s notice, it’s important that they know the ins and outs of utility and industrial sites in their area. To help further this education curve, Chesapeake works with first responder groups on an ongoing basis to familiarize them with the company’s local operations.

Expanding beyond a traditional rig tour, Chesapeake personnel in the northern Marcellus division recently provided a number of tours to community groups and emergency responders with an interest in natural gas compression facilities.

The tours provide an up-close look at the stations, which gather natural gas from wells in the region, remove water found in the gas stream, compress the gas and deliver it to interstate transmission lines to be distributed to customers for heating, cooking, fueling their vehicles and power generation. Responders learned about the facility’s purpose, what compression equipment does and how it works, what their roles would be in the event of an emergency situation and areas where they could efficiently stage equipment.

Both first responders and company employees said they appreciate the tours, which allow them to exchange contact information and become familiar with local activity sites.

“We want to meet with local first responders so they’re not coming into any situation cold,” said Brian Nielsen, Access Midstream Operations Manager. “It’s important that they know us and we know them because being able to react quickly and communicate effectively is paramount for any situation in which they might be involved.”

Teachers Explore Artistic Influence on Cultural Development

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:46:09 GMT

West Virginia teachers hit the books studying art and
historical cultural changes.

Teachers from all over West Virginia were hitting the books weeks before students were packing their backpacks and sharpening their pencils for the first day of school. Their assignment — learn about cultural change in the arts and incorporate that knowledge into the coming school year’s lesson plans.

The Teacher’s Institute, hosted by West Virginia University (WVU) and sponsored in part by Chesapeake, was the second of its kind and saw 25 teachers from 18 counties throughout the state participate in a five-day project entitled “Cultural Change: The Creative Forces Behind Early Modernism.”

Dr. Joy Ice, Director of the Art Museum of WVU and Project Director for the Teacher’s Institute, said that the institute offered presentations in the disciplines of art history and education, religious studies, humanities, music history and English literature.

“We’ve taken a multi-disciplinary approach to look at cultural change and how creative expression can either be nudging that change along or acting as a reflection of that change,” she said.

The course offered teachers a chance to work in small groups to discuss the ideas presented and how best to implement them in classroom learning to help students identify and examine the cultural change driving a particular subject. The teachers, who ranged in experience from one to more than 30 years in the classroom, also toured a variety of Modernist art exhibits in Washington, D.C.

“We tried to create a collegial atmosphere so that the teachers could brainstorm and workshops ideas with one another and bring those ideas home,” said Ice. “We feel that it is important for teachers to be able to determine the kinds of cultural ideas that are worth spending classroom time and efforts on.”

ANGA Video Highlights West Virginia Economy

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:45:53 GMT

America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), a trade organization representing 29 North American independent natural gas producers, recently released a video discussing Marcellus Shale development in West Virginia.

Debuting at the 76th annual West Virginia Chamber Business Summit, the 11-minute video was introduced to an audience of more than 700 chamber members by West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

In the video, industry experts discuss the process of extracting natural gas, protecting water quality, job creation and the importance of the wet gas found in the shale underlying the northern part of the state. Wet gas is a type of natural gas that contains high levels of liquids such as propane, butane, and ethane, which are reinvigorating the local manufacturing and chemical industries.

Chesapeake Senior Director – Corporate Development and Government Relations Maribeth Anderson is also ANGA West Virginia State Lead and appears in the video.

“We decided to produce this video to demonstrate that West Virginia is uniquely positioned to benefit from the safe development of the Marcellus Shale,” she said. “It was a project made for West Virginians by West Virginians to show how natural gas is driving economics in the state and providing a positive impact throughout the entire community.”

Watch the entire video and find out more about West Virginia natural gas.

Honoring WVU Scholars and Interns

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:45:39 GMT

Gather round — West Virginia University scholars and
interns network with their peers and industry
representatives at the university’s alumni center.

As the fall semester at West Virginia University (WVU) kicked off, Chesapeake Energy Corporation honored students who had received scholarships from or interned with the company at a reception at Morgantown’s Erickson Alumni Center.

The reception had more than 50 attendees and featured speakers from Chesapeake and WVU who discussed quality career opportunities in the natural gas industry for graduates.

“In this room you’ll find students studying everything from geology and law to history,” said Scott Rotruck, Chesapeake Vice President - Corporate Development & Government Relations. “Our industry brings in those people from diverse backgrounds and a variety of disciplines to collaborate on the efficient development of the Marcellus Shale.”

Working directly with colleges and universities, Chesapeake’s university relations program provides capital support for schools and specific programs, sponsorships, professorships and student scholarships. The group also works with institutions to develop curriculum for courses that prepare students for industry jobs.

“Chesapeake’s university relations efforts are essential as we strive to connect with students, faculty and staff at key institutions across the country,” said Amanda Roberts, Chesapeake Community Relations Specialist. “Our university relations program supports more than 30 colleges and universities in 12 states, and we are proud to help develop future industry leaders.”

Interested in an internship opportunity with Chesapeake?

Volunteers Swing Against Breast Cancer, Scoop Milkshakes

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:44:44 GMT

Knocking softballs out of the park was just one way Chesapeake
employees helped nonprofit groups this summer.

Chesapeake employees contributed time this summer to raising money for others and cleaning up nonprofits as part of Operation Blue, an initiative in which employees are given four hours of company time to volunteer.

Two teams took a swing against breast cancer at a home run derby to benefit the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. The event was held at the historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The Chesapeake teams tied one another and faced off in a tiebreaker round for office bragging rights. In all, the coalition’s eight derby events raised nearly $90,000.

“It was really neat being able to give back while having so much fun,” said Chesapeake Intern Monika Crosby. “I appreciate how the staff made the event memorable by creating a competitive aspect amongst our teams. The importance of raising money for the coalition shows through the enthusiasm of the crew running the show.”

Other employees volunteered their time making milkshakes in the Bradford County Dairy Promotion Association booth at the annual Troy Fair. Volunteers scooped and poured for customers as the booth churned more than 95 gallons of ice cream and 31 gallons of milk per day into delicious shakes. Twenty-two volunteers spent more than 60 hours in their second year at the booth, helping raise nearly $3,000. Chesapeake also donated $5,000 to the fair.

Dairy Princess Coordinator Erin Cole said that events like the milkshake stand provide key funding for dairy promotion, an industry near and dear to the region.

“The Dairy Promotion Board is a nonprofit organization that relies entirely on volunteers throughout the week of the fair to man the milkshake booth. The proceeds provide essential funding that allows the Bradford County Dairy Princess Team to promote the dairy industry throughout the year,” she said.

Elsewhere, 12 employees from Chesapeake’s Big Flats field office contributed 48 volunteer hours at the Chemung County S.P.C.A. Workers spent their time painting, mowing, raking and landscaping around the facility.

Chesapeake Employees Book Volunteer Time

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:43:39 GMT

Volunteers helped restore 75-year-old furnishings at the Sayre
Public Library.

The Sayre, Pennsylvania, Public Library is more than just a place for books.

“It provides community programs geared toward a variety of people,” said United Way of Bradford County Director Kerri Straus.

That’s why Chesapeake Energy Corporation employees recently volunteered their time at the library as part of the United Way’s Day of Caring event. Twenty-four employees sanded down and painted 15 chairs and three bookshelves, donating a total of 36 hours over two days of work. Chesapeake also donated supplies.

Library Director Susan DePumpo-Robinson said she was thrilled with the work.

“I thought it would be a short job of eight hours, but it ended up being a bigger production,” she said. “Some of these shelves are more than 75 years old, and we just didn’t have the resources to improve them,” she said.

Chesapeake is a 2012 Corporate Sponsor of United Way, which is dedicated to improving lives by promoting unity and volunteerism. The Day of Caring gives volunteers a chance to see their impact up close and personal.

“Chesapeake is promoting volunteerism, community spirit and unity through this event. They’re really stepping up to help, and the community sees and appreciates it,” said Straus.

CNG Gains Momentum in West Virginia

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:43:20 GMT

West Virginia has been pushing for increased alternative fueling with compressed natural gas (CNG) and is asking other states to join the march toward putting this clean-burning, affordable fuel to use in public and private fleets.

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) recently revealed plans to host the three-day Appalachian Basin Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Expo and Conference in May 2013 at the Charleston Civic Center.

"West Virginia is blessed with an abundance of natural gas, and our state has the opportunity to showcase our commitment to using this resource," said Tomblin. “I will invite 12 governors who share in my commitment to operate state vehicle fleets on natural gas to join us for this event. The expo will provide the opportunity for cities, counties and private businesses from throughout the country to learn more about using this natural resource as a fueling option for their fleets."

This announcement came amid a bevy of NGV-related activity in the state.

In June, Tomblin signed an executive order establishing a task force charged with studying the logistics behind developing CNG fueling infrastructure in the state. On August 10, he announced bids for CNG-powered vehicles on the 2013 statewide motor vehicle contract — a direct result of his collaboration with the newly established task force. Government and state-run agencies will have 10 NGV options among the 36 vehicles available for purchase in 2013.

NGVs are also getting a local push. In January, the Kanawha County Commission approved a $50,000 consortium to research CNG fueling infrastructure in the county, which includes Charleston, the state’s capitol and largest city.

The Dog Days of Summer

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:42:49 GMT

Chesapeake employees helped take care of furry friends at the Fayette
SPCA in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

During the summer Chesapeake employees rolled up their sleeves and pitched in on community projects as part of the company’s Operation Blue initiative, an annual companywide venture that gives employees four hours of company time to volunteer with a nonprofit organization they support.

In late July, employees from Chesapeake’s Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, field office spent the day at the Fayette SPCA in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Eleven employees donated a total of 44 hours at the animal shelter where they painted sheds, cleared brush, cleaned kennels and walked dogs.

The company’s Belmont, Ohio, office got to work in nearby Wheeling, West Virginia, clocking 36 hours between nine employees at the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. Volunteers removed trash, pulled weeds, planted flowers, constructed a trash containment area and moved in nearly eight tons of stone to create a parking area.

Bob Dobkin, Chesapeake Senior Field Representative and organizer of the project, said that the task had been on hold for more than two years because of budgeting constraints.

“Everyone proved their ability to improvise, adapt and overcome,” Dobkin said. “They went above and beyond any expectations we had in mind when the project began, and they did so without any direction, except from their hearts.”

Chesapeake Boaters Clean Susquehanna River

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:41:57 GMT

This summer, 27 employees from Chesapeake's operations in northern Pennsylvania took to the water to clean the Susquehanna River.

Operation North Branch: Restore the Susquehanna was organized by regional environmental groups to help remove debris from the river. Employees, who were also participating in Chesapeake’s annual Operation Blue initiative, were given four hours of company time to aid in the mission.

“I cannot begin to tell you how appreciative we are for Chesapeake’s volunteers. What a great group of people,” said Barb Romanansky of the North Branch Land Trust. “We could not have accomplished what we did without them.”

The river cleanup, which was one of three Operation Blue projects in the area this year, was a result of record-setting flooding last fall that damaged properties and washed tons of debris into the river.

Overall, approximately 120 people participated in the cleanup, starting from four different boat launches between Towanda and Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. The project — organized by the North Branch Land Trust, Paddle Without Pollution, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Endless Mountain Heritage Region — collected debris and more than 150 tires. In addition, a metal recycler agreed to haul off the approximately 2,300 pounds of scrap metal that was removed from the river.

Downing Clays for a Good Cause

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:39:14 GMT

For many sportsmen, summer means an end to the chilly rains of spring and a chance to hone their shooting skills without bundling up from head to toe. Nearly 50 shooters enjoyed a sporting day during the Hoss Foundation Shootout at the Nemacolin Shooting Academy in Farmington, Pennsylvania.

The shootout, which featured shooting games, a luncheon and an awards ceremony, raised proceeds for children and families struggling with injury, illness or financial crisis. Started in 1991 by former NFL quarterback Jeff Hostetler, the foundation hosts a variety of fundraisers and events throughout the Morgantown, West Virginia, area.

The second annual event raised more than $25,000 — more than triple last’s year’s total. The money will fund the foundation’s Gift Project, an event that brings hundreds of volunteers together to purchase, wrap and deliver Christmas gifts to families in need, and its annual Days of Hope, where foundation volunteers devote their time to a specific family in need. In 2011 Days of Hope saw volunteers remodel a house for a family struggling with cancer.

Chesapeake sponsored a four-man team for the shootout.