PO BOX 1001 YOUNGWOOD, PA 15697
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 7
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BECKLEY, WV 25801 PERMIT NO.19
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US DOT Urine Drug Screen PG. 12
Saving the Planet BLIND DEBATE PG. 6
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Northeast ONG
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Volume 8 Issue 7
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Northeast ONG
ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
IOGANY Annual Meeting | November 1, 2018 Ellicottville, NY - www.iogany.org
SPE Pittsburgh Monthly Meeting | November 13, 2018 Carnegie, PA - connect.spe.org /Pittsburgh/home
SPE Appalachian Luncheon Meeting | November 14, 2018 Charleston, WV - connect.spe.org /Pittsburgh/home
ARTICLES
ADVERTISER INDEX
PENNSYLVANIA NEWS: Blind Debate................ 6-7
ALBERTA RIG MATS.............................................. 5 ALPINE ELECTRIC................................................. 9 BEG...................................................................... 13 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS.............. 5 CORNERSTONE ENERGY SOLUTIONS................ 9 CST INDUSTRIES.................................................. 2 DAVID STANLEY CONSULTANTS......................... 4 ERNST SEED........................................................ 13 HYDROSPRAY....................................................... 9 KERR...................................................................... 9 LEE REGER BUILDS.............................................. 9 LEE SUPPLY......................................................... 15 MARIETTA COLLEGE............................................. 2 MID-ATLANTIC STORAGE.................................... 9 NEW PIG................................................................ 3 O'DONNELL CONSULTING.................................. 15 STEELNATION....................................................... 5 TOTAL SAFETY...................................................... 4 TD CONNECTIONS................................................ 7
INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Infrastructure – The Key to Growth in the Tri-State area.................................... 8 INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Marcellus Utica Political Update .................................................................. 11 INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Communicating the Basics.16 HEALTH & SAFETY: State of the US DOT Urine Drug Screen in 2018............................................. 12 SHALE CRESCENT NEWS: Saving the Planet..... 14
CALENDARS ASSOCIATION MEETINGS.................................... 4 NETWORKING EVENTS........................................ 9 TRAINING & WORKSHOPS................................ 15 UPCOMING EVENTS........................................... 10
EVENTS MARCELLUS UTICA HOUSTON.......................... 13 NEW HORIZONS................................................... 5 OOGA................................................................... 16 PIOGA.................................................................. 13
CONTACT US FOR ADVERTISING, INFORMATION OR MAILING LIST CHANGES:
The Northeast ONG Marketplace PO Box 1001 • Youngwood, PA 15697 724-787-4451 E-mail: info@ongmarketplace.com
The opinions expressed in the Northeast ONG Marketplace are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Northeast ONG Marketplace or its advertisers. Any warranties or representations made in the advertisements or articles are the responsibility of the specific contributor and not The Northeast ONG Marketplace. The Northeast ONG Marketplace will not be liable for any misprint in advertising copy which is not the fault of The Northeast ONG Marketplace. If a misprint should occur, the limits of our liability will be the amount charged for the advertisement.
Volume 8 Issue 7
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Northeast ONG
PENNSYLVANIA NEWS BLIND DEBATE: WHAT THE PENNSYLVANIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OIL AND GAS By: Teresa Irvin McCurdy, President of TD Connections, Inc. I want to thank Pennsylvania’s Gubernatorial Candidates Governor Tom Wolf and former Senator Scott Wagner for participating in this article to help us gain some insights into where they stand on issues. I asked both candidates the same questions and held both to the same space constraints to provide answers. Neither were able to see each other’s answers prior to publication. 1. Do you believe that the discovery of shale natural gas has been a blessing or a curse to Pennsylvania? Why?
Pennsylvanians. The 2018-19 budget I just completed with the legislature includes $30 million for investments in computer science and STEM education programs and expands apprenticeship and industry partnerships. Throughout my time in office, I’ve sought to expand apprenticeships in traditional and non-traditional occupations, including youth pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships at high schools and career and technical centers, and to encourage businesses, community colleges and other higher education providers to expand registered apprenticeships and work-based learning experiences for adults. PASmart also builds on the Department of Labor and Industry’s successful Industry Partnerships program, which connects similar businesses with educational and economic development partners to provide the job training.
Governor Wolf: Pennsylvania is fortunate to have abundant natural gas resources. We are also uniquely positioned to be a national leader in this market because we are located in the middle of the market. We are at the epicenter of an energy revolution which poses significant opportunities for innovation, job creation, and additional revenue. We must take full advantage of this resource to ensure that Pennsylvanians are the ones who are benefiting from it.
Through these investments, we have launched Pennsylvania to third in the nation in STEM education and increased the number of credentials earned by students in career and technical education programs by 32%.
Senator Wagner: We are blessed to have one of the largest natural gas resources in the world. We should be incentivizing growth and expansion of this industry, instead of attempting to punish and limit opportunities. In my plan, “Empowering Pennsylvania’s Economy,” I highlighted how natural gas development can provide a major economic growth component for Pennsylvania. It is a cheaper and more abundant fuel source and can be used to attract business to grow our economic opportunities. By providing greater incentives to use this commodity, mainly through power generation and growth through the manufacturing and petrochemical industry, we can fully benefit from this asset for major economic growth and an increase in job opportunities.
I took office after the previous administration had cut $1 billion from our schools, resulting in mass teacher layoffs, cuts to important programs like pre-kindergarten, and larger class sizes. My top priority was investing in our education system to ensure that students were getting the education they deserved. I’m proud to say I have fully restored the billion-dollar education cuts and expanded career and technical education.
2. The Shell Cracker plant is on schedule to be in operation in 2020 (or 2021). There is a lot of concern that our workforce is not prepared. What can be done to educate and train our workforce? Senator Wagner: In both on my plans, “Empowering Pennsylvania’s Economy” and “An Opportunity for Every Child to Succeed,” I outlined my plans to meet employer needs by developing a highly skilled workforce. We must retool and reinvent our education system putting in place initiatives to adequately prepare our students to be tomorrow’s adults by providing the necessary tools for success after graduation. I will encourage and expand our STEM educational programs, increase access to dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities, enable our students to graduate high school with an industry certification in hand, and publish Job Security Reports to highlight workforce needs. In order to meet employer needs I will implement policies to assist in developing a highly skilled workforce and will further provide the necessary investment to train our future workforce as well as retrain our aging workers. Governor Wolf: A four-year college degree is not necessarily the right path for every student, and I am dedicated to ensuring that all Pennsylvanians have the tools they need to succeed. My PASmart initiative seeks to align workforce development efforts across commonwealth agencies to more efficiently deliver services for all
3. After serving a term in office, what are one or two things that you are most proud of accomplishing? Governor Wolf: We’ve made progress by investing in our education system and expanding access to affordable, quality health care for Pennsylvanians.
We are now working to invest even more dollars in our classrooms. The most recent budget builds on prior-year increases in education funding to provide an additional $313.5 million, which will be invested in Pre-K and Head Start, basic education, career and technical education, and higher education, among other areas. By investing in education, we have increased the number of children attending pre-kindergarten by nearly 50 percent, increased the number of students in career and technical education programs by 42 percent, and increased the high school graduation rate to nearly 90 percent. These are the positive results we can expect to see when we invest in education, and I am committed to building on this progress. Additionally, one of the first things I did when I took office was to expand Medicaid, which has provided health care to over 720,000 Pennsylvanians. I’ve worked to reduce Pennsylvania’s uninsured rate to its lowest point in history at 5.6%, well below the national average of 8.8%. Since I have taken office, Pennsylvania has increased enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program by more than twenty-two percent. The program now serves more than 180,000 Pennsylvania children. I have been a vocal opponent of efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and destroy Medicaid, charge seniors more for their care, and strip protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Senator Wagner: One thing I’m incredibly proud of is how I always stood up for my principles while I served in the Senate. I believe in fiscal responsibility and I believe in policies that get government out of the way and allow businesses to thrive. That’s why I worked to stop Tom Wolf ’s record tax increases from being enacted. Those increases would have taken money out of the pockets of hardworking Pennsylvanians to foot the bill for Harrisburg's incompetence, which would have
Volume 8 Issue 7 been unacceptable. They also would have harmed employers and prevented them from growing and expanding their businesses. That being said, I know how to work across the aisle on common sense legislation. That’s why I cosponsored Clean Slate criminal justice legislation with Senator Anthony Williams from Philadelphia. This legislation allows those who have served their time to have a better chance at finding employment when they enter back into society. I will continue to work on criminal justice reform as governor.
Page 7 dedicated to cutting red tape and removing barriers that businesses often face to ensure a dynamic economy. I’ve made it a top priority to make Pennsylvania a better place to live, work, and do business.
8. Please provide the readers a closing statement.
I launched the PA Business One-Stop Shop to serve as the central source for entrepreneurs and small businesses to help guide them through all stages of business development. I eliminated the Capital Stock and Franchise tax, an unfair tax on business that hindered job creation, once and for all. I’ve made significant investments in infrastructure development and signed into law a manufacturing tax credit that will help spur growth in new industries.
Senator Wagner: Governor Wolf and I could not be more different. I grew up a poor farm boy - where sometimes there wasn’t enough pot roast to go around to feed my whole family. I’ve started businesses from scratch starting at age 19 and I now employ hundreds of Pennsylvanians. Governor Wolf is an Ivy League elitist who’s been handed everything he’s had in life and that’s why he doesn’t understand the people of Pennsylvania.
I’ve also pushed ahead on large projects like the Shell Cracker Plant, an expansion of the Port of Philadelphia, and an investment in a steel plant in Johnstown, which will create more than 15,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. Yet we must make sure that we also have a workforce that is properly trained to take these new, family-sustaining jobs. That’s why I’ve made significant investments in career and technical education and workforce development.
And Governor Wolf ’s record reflects the fact that he doesn’t understand the struggles hardworking Pennsylvanians face.
But I know that there is still work to be done to ensure that Pennsylvania businesses have the resources and support necessary to thrive. I remain committed to working with the business community to ensure that Pennsylvania is welcoming and open for business.
He’s called for the largest tax increase in Pennsylvania history. While more and more seniors have been forced from their homes due to high property taxes he has done nothing. His regulatory policies on small businesses have been called “more burdensome than Barack Obama’s” by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. And he’s stood in the way of more money in the classroom and curbing the opioid epidemic at the request of his million dollar special interest donors. I won’t be owned by anyone. I will always fight for the people of Pennsylvania because I am one of them. Governor Wolf: Over the past few years, I’ve worked to move Pennsylvania forward by prioritizing the issues that matter most to Pennsylvanian families. As a former business owner myself, I know how important it is to have a government that is
If you are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania, please vote on Tuesday, November 6th. Before you vote, do your research. Visit the websites of each candidate. Don’t blindly cast your vote because of party as you may be surprised what you find when you Google a candidate’s name. Want more information or have a question, contact Teresa at 717-329-6402 or Teresa@TDConnections.com or learn more about TD Connections at https://bit. ly/2JE3fbM.
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Northeast ONG
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
INFRASTRUCTURE – THE KEY TO GROWTH IN THE TRI-STATE AREA By: Bryce Custer Along the Ohio River Corridor, in the “Shale Crescent” area from Monaca, PA to Marietta, Ohio drilling continues in the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays. Midstream companies continue to put in gathering lines connecting the wells to the rest of the United States. Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids are flowing north to Ontario Canada, East to Marcus Hook and south to the gulf coast. Much of the resource is being used domestically, some is being shipped overseas. What is the major constraint to development of the Ohio River Corridor? To the development of the Appalachian Basin? Infrastructure, the key to Logistics and Supply Chain throughout the area. The Ohio River Corridor has been served by barge and rail connecting key cities along the river. Starting at the Shell site in Monaca PA, heading west then south along the river, area of population includes East Liverpool, Steubenville – Weirton, Bridgeport – Wheeling then the next populated area is Marietta – Parkersburg. The movement of raw materials and finished product to and from the counties within the Ohio River Corridor require four lane roads for quick and most importantly safe travel for cars and trucks. I spend a significant amount of time traveling from Canton OH to East Liverpool (and Newell WV). What should be a less than 45-minute drive takes over 75 minutes depending upon semi-traffic hauling goods to and from the river. The most critical factor regarding infrastructure of the Ohio River area is the movement of employees. Development of industry along the river will bring jobs. The employees filling these jobs will require housing, retail, restaurants and other amenities to provide for similia quality of life that is found in the larger neighboring counties. There are currently three major infrastructure initiatives in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. These three projects are designed to move people and materials safely and quickly. COLUMBUS TO PITTSBURGH CORRIDOR The Columbus to Pittsburgh Corridor is a 160-mile highway linking Columbus to Pittsburgh. From west to east the corridor would start at I270/SR161 on the northeast side of Columbus. The highway would follow SR161 / SR16 through New Albany and Newark to Coshocton. In Coshocton it would follow US36 to Dennison. Continuing along US250 to US22 in Cadiz then continuing along US22 to Pittsburgh. In order to make this a reality, approximately 47 miles of improvements along the route in Muskingum, Coshocton, Tuscarawas and Harrison County would be required. This represents less than 30% of the corridor that needs completed. “Now is the time to invest in our roads in order to support both current and forecasted growth. Completing the Pittsburgh-to- Columbus Corridor is a project that has been discussed for decades and received on and off support over the years. It’s time to worth together to develop a funding plan and complete something – the completion of the Corridor – that could truly transform Eastern Ohio.” Congressman Bill Johnson.
WEST VIRGINIA ROUTE 2 / I-68 Bob Miller Jr. Marshall County Commissioner has made numerous trips to Washington D.C. to keep interest on the I-68 corridor project which would create a highway system and link Morgantown WV to Marshall County along the Ohio River. This critical link from Morgantown would allow transport of goods and people between these two critical points. The Morgantown area is ripe with potential employees for the jobs being created along the Ohio River and to the north and south along Route 2. Miller has been joined by West Virginia University representatives from Logistics, Supply Chain and Energy, Greg Kozera with Shale Crescent, Senator Charles Clements, R-Wetzel and me (Bryce Custer, Ohio River Corridor, LLC) have been fortunate to join the West Virginia delegation on two trips to the White House to meet with various department heads. You’ve got a great asset in West Virginia University. You’ve got the huge talent pool in the Morgantown area, and it opens the whole Northern Panhandle for not only industrial development, but in retail and housing development as well. Emphasis is being able to bring product back and forth. In the Northern Panhandle, there’s just no quick way to get to Morgantown, one of the most popular parts of central West Virginia. US STATE ROUTE 30 CANTON TO ROUTE 11 COLUMBIANA COUNTY US 30 is a major east west highway through Ohio. Unfortunately, US 30 stops and then becomes two lanes on the east side of Canton. For years county commissioners, currently being led by Richard Regula, have been working diligently to extend US 30 from Trump Ave in Canton to SR44. State Representative Kirk Schuring, R-Jackson Township has also been instrumental in seeing that US 30 from Canton to the Ohio River becomes a reality. The US 30 extension and proposed alignment through Stark, Carroll and Columbiana County is crucial for movement of employees from Stark County to future facilities along the Ohio River in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The extension also creates incentive for companies that will source materials from the Shell Polymer complex in Monaca, PA and potential PTTGC facility in Dilles Bottom, OH. This extension and alignment will benefit all counties along the proposed route. Stark County is already seeing interest from plastics companies to invest millions of dollars in facilities to take advantage of low transportation costs for raw materials. Infrastructure of the tri-state area is key to whether our area will be “Producer Exporters” or “Producer Consumers” of the Natural Gas and Natural Gas Liquids currently being drilled in the Utica and Marcellus Shale areas. This area has the opportunity to be the leader in plastics and derivative products. I would encourage everyone to become familiar with the proposed infrastructure projects in your area. I would also encourage everyone to re-visit the Shale Crescent HIS Markit Study that proves the Ohio River Corridor, Appalachian Basin, Shale Crescent USA is the place to invest in facilities and the local economies.
Volume 8 Issue 7
Page 9
NETWORKING EVENTS October 25 WEN Ohio Launch Columbus, OH | www.womensenergynetwork.org November 6 ABGPA Q4 Speaker Luncheon Canonsburg, PA | abgpamidstream.org November 15 YPE Veterans Event Pittsburgh, PA | www.ypepittsburgh.org November 20 APA Speaker Dinner Canonsburg, PA | ww.appalachianpipeliners.org December 5 YPE Crew Change TBD | www.ypepittsburgh.org December 6 MOGA Membership Dinner Thompsonville, MI | www.michiganoilandgas.org December 7 KOGA Christmas Party Lexington, KY | www.kyoilgas.org December 18 APA Luncheon Canonsburg, PA | www.appalachianpipeliners.org
FOR MORE EVENTS VISIT WWW.ONGMARKETPLACE.COM/EVENTS
Page 10
Northeast ONG
UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER 7
FEBRUARY 13-15
Marcellus-Utica Houston
AESC Annual Winter Meeting
Houston, TX | marcellusuticahouston.com
New Orleans, LA | www.aesc.net
7-9 IADC Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA | www.iadc.org
8
MARCH 27-29
OOGA Technical Conference
WEN National Conference
Cambridge, OH | www.ooga.org
Denver, CO | www.womensenergynetwork.org
9 Marcellus to Manufacturing Conference Pittsburgh, PA | www.pioga.org
9 Marietta College Oil and Gas Technical Exhibition Marietta, OH | www.mcogte.org
11-13 IPAA Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA | www.ipaa.org
29 New Horizons Conference Canonsburg, PA | www.kallanishenergy.com
Denotes National Event
Visit our website for links to these events
WWW.ONGMARKETPLACE.COM/EVENTS
Volume 8 Issue 7
Page 11
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
MARCELLUS UTICA POLITICAL UPDATE By: Curtis Wilkerson is Principal at Orion Strategies As the 2018 election comes to a close, there are a number of races and developments around the Marcellus and Utica region that are of interest to the industry. On a national level, prognosticators of the political landscape have suggested that Democrats are likely to take control of the United States House of Representatives, while the upper chamber most likely remains in Republican control. In Ohio, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is currently favored over Republican Congressman Jim Rennanci and Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator Bob Casey is favored over Republican Lou Barletta. There is a contested campaign occurring in West Virginia between incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin and current Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. On the state politics front, Pennsylvania incumbent Democratic Governor Wolfe is projected to win re-election. Republicans are expected to retain control of the legislative branches in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. West Virginia Supreme Court Meanwhile on the West Virginia non-campaign political front, the state’s Supreme Court continues to have turmoil while the industry waits to see how a number of cases before that body are resolved – and ultimately, who will even hear the appeals. The current situation began with an investigative report by WCHS-TV in Charleston when a reporter uncovered excessive spending on renovations including a $32,000 couch in the office of Justice Allen Loughry. Of note was that Justice Loughry was the author of a well-known book on corruption in West Virginia politics – which only fueled the story further. Public records showed that all five Justices had significant spending on their offices – which ranged from necessary infrastructure issues to the aging space to inlaid wooden floors, contemporary glass shelving and expensive carpets. Adding to this is that the West Virginia Constitution gives the Court the sole oversight of its own budget (something that may change with a Constitutional amendment on the ballot this November). Investigations were launched by the United States Attorney who alleged that Justices Loughry and Justice Ketchum had both illegally used state vehicles for personal travel. Justice Ketchum pleaded guilty to the charge in federal court and retired/ resigned from office. Justice Ketchum’s decision led to an opening to be filled by the voters in the November election for the unexpired term. Meanwhile, Justice Loughry was suspended by the Supreme Court while he was under indictment for approximately two dozen federal counts stemming from investigation into illegal spending, witness tampering and other associated charges. Recently, he was found guilty in federal court on eleven of the charges and is awaiting sentencing. To further complicate matters, the West Virginia House of Delegates proceeded to impeach all sitting Justices (Ketchum had already removed himself). Charges ranged from improper spending to maladministration for not keeping each other in check. Because of the timing of when a Justice would be replaced by Governor’s appointment or election was approaching, Justice Davis decided to resign/retire as well – creating an opening that will also be filled by the November ballot for the unexpired term. Just as the West Virginia Senate was about to take up the case, the House announced
that a deal had been struck for a censure of Justices Workman and Walker. However, the Senate rejected the deal and decided to move forward with full case in which the Senate would sit as a jury and be overseen by a temporary Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Farrell. Justice Walker’s case was first – where she was found innocent but censured by the state senate. Paralleling this effort are appeals by Workman to the West Virginia Supreme Court arguing that the House of Delegates did not follow due-process of their own procedure and were overstepping their constitutional authority since the Court sets its own budget. Because all members of the Court had resigned, retired, were under impeachment or compromised for the case – an entire new bench of Circuit Judges was appointed temporarily to hear the case. That Court found in favor of Justice Workman. The House of Delegates and the West Virginia Senate will look at next steps based on the Court’s decision. Meanwhile, Governor Justice filled the two vacancies (previously held by Davis and Ketchum) with Republican Congressman Evan Jenkins and Republican Speaker of the House Tim Armstead. The Speaker’s resignation from his office to be appointed then led to a leadership race in which Delegate Roger Hanshaw was chosen to lead the body. Jenkins and Armstead are now both candidates for the unexpired term – along with numerous other candidates (with each slot being its own election). The Court has begun to hear cases again as of October 4 while all of this is going on. The November 6 election may bring new Justices to the bench for the two slots to be filled by the voters. Ohio Election 2018 Preview With Republican Governor John Kasich term limited, Ohioans will be voting for a new Governor in the upcoming November Election. Republican Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is in a tight race with Democrat and former Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Richard Cordray. Since all statewide incumbents are term limited, Ohioans will also be casting their ballots for a new Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer and Auditor. One of the closest watched down ticket races will be for Ohio Attorney General between Republican Auditor Dave Yost and former United States District Attorney Steve Dettelbach. Four candidates are vying for two vacancies on the Ohio Supreme Court. In a rematch from the August 2018 Special Election, Congressman Troy Balderson (R) faces Democratic challenger Danny O’Connor to continue to represent Ohio’s 12th Congressional District. Congressman Balderson narrowly defeated O’Connor in August to represent the historically Republican district. November 7th Planning Industry leaders in all three states around the Appalachian Basin will be looking to which policies can be expected in each of the three states based on the various elections on November 6th. Nationally, if Democrats take control of the House of Representatives, there will be a lame-duck window beginning on November 7th and ending in January – where efforts will be launched to pass last-minute legislation. Many will look to November 7th as a day of rest from the bombardment of campaign ads, but the date only signifies a change in tactics on the political front. Curtis Wilkerson is Principal at Orion Strategies – a strategic communications firm with offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The firm provides public relations, government affairs, polling, research and creative services for a number of energy clients around the country.
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Northeast ONG
HEALTH & SAFETY
STATE OF THE US DOT URINE DRUG SCREEN IN 2018 By: Ray Keller Jr, DO, CEO, Spread Med, Inc. Introduction to DOT Urine Drug Screening (UDS) US Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing was established by Executive Order No. 12564, Section 503 of Public Law 100-71, and 5 U.S.C. section 7301. These actions were initially taken in response to a January 4, 1987 Amtrak crash in which the engineer tested positive for marijuana. 14 people perished in addition to the Amtrak engineer and a lounge car attendant. Since that time, there have been many additions and revisions to the DOT drug screening regulations. The most recent changes went into effect January 1, 2018. The changes were in response to the rising prescription use and illegal abuse of semi-synthetic opioids. Recent Changes In January 2018 the DOT issued new changes to its UDS. The addition of four semi-synthetic opioids including oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone. Trade names for these drugs include OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, and Demerol. Testing is no longer required for methylenedioxyamphetatmine (MDA). Screening testing has been added for methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) since it is a metabolite of MDA. The new regulations also include three new “fatal flaws. ” The new flaws include: 1. There is no Custody and Control Form (CCF); 2. Two separate collections were performed using the same CCF; and 3. There was no specimen submitted to the laboratory with the CCF. DOT also updated the screening and confirmatory cutoff levels for various substances, as outlined in Table 1.
negative, adulterated, or substituted result cannot be established for a specific drug or specimen validity test. Cancelled test – A drug or alcohol test that has a problem identified that cannot be or has not been corrected. A cancelled test is neither a positive nor a negative result. However, if a result is cancelled, the next collection must take place under direct observation. What if I test positive? If the drug screen is positive, it is imperative that you talk to the medical review officer (MRO). It is their responsibility to call you, but you should also be proactive in contacting them. Any verbal communication you have with the MRO should be private. These conversations should not be conducted if a representative of your employer can overhear the conversation. It is your employer’s responsibility to provide a private environment for you to talk with the MRO. If you have a legitimate prescription and test positive for a drug or metabolite the MRO may contact the prescriber to verify the prescription. If the MRO has a safety concern based on the prescription and your job description (s)he may report a safety concern to your employer. If you test positive, have a valid prescription, and the MRO determines that the prescription presents a safety concern you have 5 days to contact your prescriber and get a new prescription for a medication that does not present a safety concern. It is your responsibility, not the MRO’s, to have your prescription changed. If you do not have a valid prescription and test positive, your drug test will be reported positive, and you will not be allowed to work until you satisfy the return to work requirements. Perhaps the most controversial drug tested for is marijuana. In some states marijuana is a legal prescription medication. However, because marijuana is considered a schedule 1 drug meaning that it is illegal because it has the high potential for abuse and dependence, no medical use, and severe safety concerns. Therefore, if you test positive for marijuana, even with a valid prescription, you will not be able to work unless the prescription is changed. Conclusion There have been major changes effective this year for the DOT urine drug screen. There is no doubt that the change is here to stay. Employers and employees subject to DOT UDS procedures should be sure that they understand the new requirements. If you have any questions about the new requirements do not hesitate to contact your employer or another resource that can help you navigate this new regulation.
Table 1. Screening and confirmatory cutoff levels. Selected Potential Testing Outcomes Negative – The result reported by an HHS-certified laboratory to an MRO when a specimen contains no drug or the concentration of the drug is less than the cutoff concentration for the drug or drug class and the specimen is a valid specimen. Positive – The result reported by an HHS-certified laboratory when a specimen contains a drug or drug metabolite equal to or greater than the cutoff concentrations. Invalid drug test – The result reported by an HHS-certified laboratory in accordance with the criteria established by HHS Mandatory Guidelines when a positive,
Author: Raymond Keller Jr., DO CEO, Spread Med, Inc. (O) 302-703-7245 (C) 207-929-0576
Volume 8 Issue 7
Page 13
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sock filled with switchgrass, helps retain sediment and other pollutants so cleaned water can flow through. Contact: Ray Keller, National Pipeline Sales Manager
732-245-7264 www.thefacilitators.net 740-680-0343
Patent Pending
The Interactive Conference for Decision Makers in Energy Join us November 9 at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh for an interactive conference combining knowledge and experience to help attendees develop long-term strategies to capitalize on the Marcellus phenomenon that will ensure attractive energy costs for industrial and commercial concerns for decades to come.
Marcellus Utica Houston Conference November 7- 8th JW Marriott Houston Galleria 5150 Westheimer Road | Houston, TX 77056
Conference Agenda:
Conference Topics: • 36 Hours After the Polls Close - Election Updates and Legislative/Regulatory Look-Ahead • Moving Gas Out of and Around the Basin - Midstream and Pipelines • Turning Molecules into Electrons - Power Generation in the PJM and the Region • Ethane – Cracking, Storing, Shipping Petrochemicals and Plastics in the Basin • State-by-State Comparisons Taxation, Incentives and Workforce • TAFT – “This Ain’t Friggin’ Texas” - Knowing “Appa-latcha”, “Appuh-lay-shuh”, and “Appa-laytchuh” - Local Business Development and Community Relation
Register Now:
Marcellus to Manufacturing is for commercial and financial decision makers and those who support them, including: • Energy buyers •Project managers • Engineers •Plant managers • Legal professionals •Tradesmen • Economists •Business agents • Government affairs experts • Business development specialists
Presenting Sponsors:
marcellusuticahouston.com
Responsible Reclamation
An opportunity to restore diversity • Conservation seed mixes • Native seeds • Pollinator forage • Bioengineering materials
ernstseed.com sales@ernstseed.com 800-873-3321
In the morning we will focus on commodity-driven considerations: market dynamics, economic, world view and the advantages of locating in the Appalachian Basin. The second half of the day will examine the criteria for state financial incentives, resources at the economic development level, project cases studies, and lessons learned from from companies involved with project completion.
Lunch Keynote
Denise Brinley Special Assistant to the Secretary for Strategic Industry Initiatives, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Join industry colleagues at the Energy Innovation Center and enjoy outstanding views of the city while networking at the Cocktail Reception beginning at 5:00 p.m. on November 8. A complimentary tour of this LEED Platinum facility will be offered. Energy Innovation Center 1435 Bedford Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Information/registration: www.pioga.org > PIOGA Events
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Northeast ONG
SHALE CRESCENT NEWS
SAVING THE PLANET By: Greg Kozera, Shale Crescent USA
ran a pipeline from St. Petersburg, Russia to Germany in 2011 after most countries in Europe banned hydraulic fracturing. Russia is now running a new 48-inch pipeline to Europe next to the existing pipeline.
Recently I was the guest on the student run radio station at the University of Colorado at Boulder. They wanted to know about energy in general and oil and natural gas in particular. They are very concerned about protecting the environment because they live and play in it. The show was focused on rock climbing. They know that they need energy to get to the mountain for their vehicle. I talked about all of the products they use every day that come from natural gas like cell phones, flat screen TVs and their cars which have a lot of plastic and composite materials in them. They hadn’t thought about the nylon ropes, shoes, clothing and other equipment they use for rock climbing that are all petrochemical based.
If air pollution and climate change are serious issues; world governments, academics and environmental groups haven’t solved the problem. They have decided that renewables are the solution. The problem has only gotten worse except for the USA where the natural gas industry has become part of the solution. In less than 10 years the USA has gone from energy crisis to the leading natural gas producer in the world. True environmentalists should be happy to see this happen. I’m surprised that other nations aren’t looking to the USA as an example of how to solve these global environmental problems. If I want to be wealthy I’m going to talk to a millionaire not my brother-in-law who lives pay check to pay check.
I said, “We have a choice. We can allow those products to be made overseas in places like China under Chinese environmental law or we can have them made here under United States environmental laws which are among the toughest in the world.” The young man who was the host understood the big picture! His comment was, “Wow. I have never thought about it that way before.” He commented to his listeners, “We don’t like manufacturing and processing facilities but if we want our stuff we need to have them. This gentleman has a good point that it would be better for the environment and American jobs to have them made here rather than in places like China.” The host called the next day to thank me for being on the show. He commented, “We never looked at things that way before.” He asked if I could come back on the show in a few weeks.
At Shale Crescent USA, we’re not tied to a particular fuel. Our goal is to bring high wage jobs back to the Valley and raise the standard of living of the people who live here. There is a place for all fuel sources. The owner of a solar company told me at a conference they pay their installers $25,000 a year. That is not a high wage job. The manufacture of most windmills and solar panels will be in China since that is where over 90% of the rare earth metals needed in their manufacture come from. The only fuel we see that will bring us the jobs and economic development we need to raise the standard of living of people here, is our economic and abundant natural gas.
The earth’s climate is constantly changing. On the wall of an office in Marietta is a fossilized mammoth tusk that was discovered nearby. We know that during the last ice age 21,000 to 11,000 years ago most of Ohio was covered with glaciers. Fossil fuels were not the reason they melted. Polluting our planet’s air and water is never good. I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 1950s and 1960s. The air was nasty and we swam in orange polluted creeks. Something had to change and it did. I believe in action and measurable results rather than just talk. An environmentalist is someone who cares about the environment and actually does something to make a positive difference. Today we have our cleanest air and water in over 100 years. I’m proud to have been part of that change. I can only see our environment getting better. New industry coming here will be the cleanest in the world operating with state of the art equipment and processes. A report by BP Statistical, in a recent issue of Forbes, shows global CO2 emissions continue to increase and are at an all- time high. Since the Kyoto Treaty was signed in 2005 global CO2 is up 19%. In that same period of time the USA’s CO2 emissions are down over 12% primarily due to increased use of natural gas. Emissions in Asia have sky rocketed. In spite of Europe’s movement to renewables their emissions also increased in 2017. The USA is one of the few nations with a significant decrease in emissions, even last year we were down 0.5%. Pipeline projects taking our abundant natural gas where it is needed will help reduce CO2 emissions and create cleaner air in the USA and in places like Asia. Asia Pacific is responsible for 50% of global CO2 emissions. True environmentalists and anyone that cares about people should be thrilled to send our natural gas to Asia where it can make a huge difference in global CO2 and air pollution. My pastor is from India. He told me that on his last visit to New Delhi the air was cleaner. I asked him what changed. He thought for a moment and said, “They are using more natural gas.” Europe has apparently figured this out since they are using more natural gas. Russia
At the West Virginia Governor’s Energy Summit last week, Dr. Brian Anderson stated that any manufacturing or petrochemical plants built in this region will be the cleanest and most efficient plants in the world. We know that by 2050 we will have over 9 billion people on planet earth. This is an increase of 2 billion people who will need food, clothing, shelter and health care. They will want TVs, computers, cars, cell phones and other consumer goods requiring petrochemicals. The question is, will many of these products be made here under US environmental laws or somewhere else where there are no environmental laws. As a country, we solved our energy problems in less than 10 years. We can achieve anything if we work together toward a common goal. I learned as a leader that once a goal was set my people could find a better way to achieve it than I could. That is the power of a Team. An environmentalist is someone who not only cares about the environment but does something positive to make it better. Based on that definition our oil and gas, manufacturing and petrochemical industries are full of environmentalists even though they don’t call themselves environmentalists. Just one project I was involved with kept millions of tons of CO2 and methane out of the atmosphere, protected coal miners and provided clean natural gas for consumers. We can measurable the results. True environmentalists should be promoting natural gas development and manufacturing in the USA. The students at the University of Colorado understood that. We can have clean air, clean water and high wage jobs. We need clean air, clean water and high wage jobs for our Region. We don’t need government or environmental groups to tell us HOW to do it. That is what WE do best and faster than they can. We now have the cleanest air and water of my entire life in the USA. We are Americans just turn us loose and watch what happens. Thoughts to ponder. © 2018 Learned Leadership LLC Greg Kozera is the Director of Marketing for Shale Crescent USA www. shalecrescentusa.com . He has over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert with a Masters in Environmental Engineering and the author of four books and numerous published articles.
Volume 8 Issue 7
Page 15
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS November 1 PiogaTech Job Safety and Train-the-Trainer Course Wexford, PA | www.pioga.org November 3-4 OOGEEP Firefighter Training Wooster, OH | www.oogeep.org November 8 SOOGA Tax Seminar Marietta, OH | www.sooga.org November 13 IOGAWV Tax Seminar Charleston, WV | www.iogawv.com November 15 Appalachian STEPS Morgantown, WV | www.appalachiansteps.org December 6 Buckeye STEPS St. Clairsville, OH | www.buckeyesteps.net
FOR MORE TRAINING VISIT WWW.ONGMARKETPLACE.COM/TRAINING
When you think of Lee Supply – you think HDPE! We have been stocking and fabricating HDPE pipe for thirty years. It’s interesting looking back to when we had to educate our customers on the benefits of just TRYING something new to the current days of expanded expectations on what HDPE CAN DO. We believe that it is the creative skills of our highly trained, experienced, and certified technicians, that assure quality results and customer satisfaction.
What Lee Supply delivers: • Certified McElroy Fusion Service/Sale/Rental Center • Engineered HDPE Pipe & Pumping Systems • HDPE Fittings – Molded & Fabricated • Specialty Fabrications: Valve Boxes; Manifolds; Manholes; Dual Containment; Perforations, Well Heads, and more…
Lee’s proven HDPE experience provides you with a quality piping system that will stand the test of time.
1-800-353-3747 • leesupply.com
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Northeast ONG
and Oilfield Expo ATTEND
EXHIBIT
SPONSOR
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018
PRITCHARD LAUGHLIN CIVIC CENTER–CAMBRIDGE, OHIO Join us for the annual Technical Conference and Oilfield Expo in Cambridge. Thursday, November 8 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Key Presentations: •
Risk-Based Data Management System (RBDMS) Demonstration & Update from ODNR, Chief Rick Simmers
•
Dominion Energy Ohio Measurement Operating Agreement
•
Transitioning to OHIO811, What You Need To Know
•
Time for a Fresh Look at Berea and Clinton Secondary Recovery
•
And more!
Sponsor and Exhibit Opportunities are Available.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Event Sponsor
Register online today: oogatechexpo.com