


CNX Reports Fourth Quarter Results

CNX’s 2024 Wrapped

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
As a play on Spotify’s annual “Wrapped,” we’re sharing our own year-in-review highlighting key projects and milestones throughout 2024 that showcase our commitment to responsible, transparent operations, environmental stewardship, and uplifting the communities where we work.
Just like Spotify Wrapped reveals personalized insights, CNX 2024 Wrapped reflects the greatest hits of our team innovating, driving change, and delivering long-term, sustainable energy solutions for Appalachia:
“All Out” RT
As CNX’s novel Radical Transparency program advanced across operating areas, initial results from continuous monitoring by Clean Air Engineering this year demonstrated CNX site-level emissions are far below nationally-designated air quality standards. Importantly, no sustained levels of asthma-inducing PM2.5 or cancer-causing BTEX were observed during any phase of development.
Within the first year of the Radical Transparency program, hundreds of thousands of datapoints have been collected, reported to PA DEP, and transparently posted simultaneously on CNXRadicalTransparency.com. The number of sites equipped with Radical Transparency monitoring equipment continues to grow, with 15 active and archived sites (both well pads and compressor stations) contributing to the real-time feed of air, water, and chemical data.
At its core, Radical Transparency is about open-sourcing environmental data, but its also our way of being open with stakeholders and constantly fielding questions and seeking feedback. Through the program, we’re learning more about our communities’ individual needs and are able to adapt operations to best fit each operating area. This is done through a combination of data-driven efforts and hosting community open houses so local residents can directly interact with CNX employees.
- Related: Radical Transparency is also gaining traction among local industry players, with longstanding chemical provider Chemstream announcing in February their operations are fully compliant with the initiative.
Bold GHG Reductions
With Appalachian natural gas already boasting the lowest methane intensity of all producing regions in the nation, CNX takes these qualities to the next level through an Emission Reduction Task Force that’s always innovating to further reduce our emissions footprint. As outlined in this year’s Corporate Sustainability Report, we reduced operational methane intensity by 52% in our production segment and 31% in our gathering and boosting segment between 2020 and 2023.
Additionally, with a mission to further reduce methane in our midstream segment, we invested $5 million into various technologies, including switching to electric-driven pumps at the Mamont Compressor Station. This singular upgrade translated to an 88% drop in emissions. What’s more, the Mamont station is also part of our Radical Transparency program, feeding air quality data to CNXRadicalTransparency.com in real-time.
H2 Advancements
Appalachia’s hydrogen hub aspirations became closer to reality throughout the year as official funding agreements were finalized via the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). On top of joining industry-wide initiatives to help jumpstart clean hydrogen development and use in the region, the team was actively working on policy measures to ensure the benefits of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) can materialize in Appalachian communities.
Importantly, U.S. Treasury recognized the value captured waste coal mine methane (CMM) presents as a feedstock for clean hydrogen production in their final tax credit rules (45V). We’re encouraged by this milestone, but remain committed to advocating for opportunities to fully realize the benefits this ultra-low carbon intensity fuel source can unlock in our region and beyond.
Tangible & Local Investments
Work in Westmoreland County and the Alle-Kiski valley came into focus this year as the team geared up for activity in 2025. Importantly, the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project was completed in June and is designed to better serve our local operations while delivering water resource solutions for area residents. The 20″ line is expected to serve as the primary alternative to water purchased from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) during voluntary or mandatory water conservation periods. The water line also significantly reduces the need for CNX to utilize water trucking, further reducing community impact.
Complementing this growing operational footprint in our Central PA (CPA) region, we opened an office in North Apollo this past summer to provide residents, local businesses, landowners, and community members with a place to access the CNX team. With the planned acquisition of Apex Energy’s upstream and midstream assets in Westmoreland County, this office location will serve as a meeting area for new landowners, community members, and other stakeholders to get to know us.
Moving a little farther to the south, CNX also established new regional headquarters in Richlands, Virginia. Ground zero for our mine methane capture operations, the expanded presence will enhance CNX’s unique opportunities to help meet rapidly expanding energy demand in a way that advances energy security and decarbonization goals.
- Related: Our first carbon project, the Appalachian Valley Improved Forest Management (IFM) Project, was launched in Virginia this year. Partnering with ClimeCo, we’re preserving over 34,000 forest acres in Virginia, which enhances carbon storage capabilities and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Importantly, this effort helps protect local wildlife and keeps our forests thriving for generations to come.
CNG & OFS Developments
2024 was another year of differentiation at CNX, advancing oilfield services solutions that provide cost, safety, and environmental efficiencies for the industry. April saw the launch of the AutoSepSM Technologies (AutoSep) joint venture with Deep Well Services (DWS), which introduced an automated flowback system for the completions process that leverages CNX’s technical development capabilities and the service quality standard DWS provides to the industry.
We also reached new CNG milestones during the year, notably completing the first full year of deploying CNG water-hauling trucks in southwestern Pennsylvania with FORCE Environmental Solutions. By using CNG, these trucks reduce emissions by 30% and related operating costs by 50%. During that period, CNX used 49,525 gallons (GGE) of CNG, which displaced ~36,192 gallons of diesel. Significant operational efficiencies, such as load time, were equally realized.
Teaming up with NuBlu Energy, 2024 also saw the launch of ZeroHP CNG™, a cutting-edge technology that eliminates the need for mechanical compressors. The new process displays myriad advances including drastic reductions in capital and operating costs, environmental footprint, required maintenance, and trailer fill time. With the capability to fill the largest virtual pipeline trailers in about an hour without the need for refrigeration, the patent-pending approach furthers CNX’s strategic position to meet the growing demand for clean and affordable energy.
- Related: The announcement with NuBlu also launched the Clean mLNG system, a micro-scale LNG liquefaction solution that leverages both Geobaric Energy and NuBlu’s methane-only refrigeration technology (Mlng). Leveraging cutting-edge processes and patent-pending technologies, Clean mLNG achieves cost savings and environmental benefits exceeding those of traditional mega-scale LNG processes, marking a significant industry milestone by enabling the cost-effective production of small-scale LNG without compromising performance, and by providing a path to zero Scopes 1 and 2 upstream emissions.
Workforce & Job Training
Equally as important as the operational investments made in 2024 are the unique career readiness programs the CNX Mentorship Academy provides. Over the last three years, the Academy has been opening doors for local youth by helping them learn from the region’s best and brightest. In February 2024, the CNX Board of Directors approved CEO Nick Deiuliis’ request to make another $1.5 million compensation donation to the CNX Foundation in support of the Mentorship Academy – further expanding the program’s offerings and partnerships.
2024 was clearly a busy year for the CNX team, launching a range of new technologies and achieving significant milestones that directly tie back to our commitment to making Appalachia stronger. While we are incredibly proud of our team and partners, we look forward to what’s ahead for us in 2025 as we continue looking for new and improved ways to develop, transport, and use abundant, Appalachian energy.
Related Articles

CNX’s 2024 Wrapped

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
As a play on Spotify’s annual “Wrapped,” we’re sharing our own year-in-review highlighting key projects and milestones throughout 2024 that showcase our commitment to responsible, transparent operations, environmental stewardship, and uplifting the communities where we work.
Just like Spotify Wrapped reveals personalized insights, CNX 2024 Wrapped reflects the greatest hits of our team innovating, driving change, and delivering long-term, sustainable energy solutions for Appalachia:
“All Out” RT
As CNX’s novel Radical Transparency program advanced across operating areas, initial results from continuous monitoring by Clean Air Engineering this year demonstrated CNX site-level emissions are far below nationally-designated air quality standards. Importantly, no sustained levels of asthma-inducing PM2.5 or cancer-causing BTEX were observed during any phase of development.
Within the first year of the Radical Transparency program, hundreds of thousands of datapoints have been collected, reported to PA DEP, and transparently posted simultaneously on CNXRadicalTransparency.com. The number of sites equipped with Radical Transparency monitoring equipment continues to grow, with 15 active and archived sites (both well pads and compressor stations) contributing to the real-time feed of air, water, and chemical data.
At its core, Radical Transparency is about open-sourcing environmental data, but its also our way of being open with stakeholders and constantly fielding questions and seeking feedback. Through the program, we’re learning more about our communities’ individual needs and are able to adapt operations to best fit each operating area. This is done through a combination of data-driven efforts and hosting community open houses so local residents can directly interact with CNX employees.
- Related: Radical Transparency is also gaining traction among local industry players, with longstanding chemical provider Chemstream announcing in February their operations are fully compliant with the initiative.
Bold GHG Reductions
With Appalachian natural gas already boasting the lowest methane intensity of all producing regions in the nation, CNX takes these qualities to the next level through an Emission Reduction Task Force that’s always innovating to further reduce our emissions footprint. As outlined in this year’s Corporate Sustainability Report, we reduced operational methane intensity by 52% in our production segment and 31% in our gathering and boosting segment between 2020 and 2023.
Additionally, with a mission to further reduce methane in our midstream segment, we invested $5 million into various technologies, including switching to electric-driven pumps at the Mamont Compressor Station. This singular upgrade translated to an 88% drop in emissions. What’s more, the Mamont station is also part of our Radical Transparency program, feeding air quality data to CNXRadicalTransparency.com in real-time.
H2 Advancements
Appalachia’s hydrogen hub aspirations became closer to reality throughout the year as official funding agreements were finalized via the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). On top of joining industry-wide initiatives to help jumpstart clean hydrogen development and use in the region, the team was actively working on policy measures to ensure the benefits of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) can materialize in Appalachian communities.
Importantly, U.S. Treasury recognized the value captured waste coal mine methane (CMM) presents as a feedstock for clean hydrogen production in their final tax credit rules (45V). We’re encouraged by this milestone, but remain committed to advocating for opportunities to fully realize the benefits this ultra-low carbon intensity fuel source can unlock in our region and beyond.
Tangible & Local Investments
Work in Westmoreland County and the Alle-Kiski valley came into focus this year as the team geared up for activity in 2025. Importantly, the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project was completed in June and is designed to better serve our local operations while delivering water resource solutions for area residents. The 20″ line is expected to serve as the primary alternative to water purchased from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) during voluntary or mandatory water conservation periods. The water line also significantly reduces the need for CNX to utilize water trucking, further reducing community impact.
Complementing this growing operational footprint in our Central PA (CPA) region, we opened an office in North Apollo this past summer to provide residents, local businesses, landowners, and community members with a place to access the CNX team. With the planned acquisition of Apex Energy’s upstream and midstream assets in Westmoreland County, this office location will serve as a meeting area for new landowners, community members, and other stakeholders to get to know us.
Moving a little farther to the south, CNX also established new regional headquarters in Richlands, Virginia. Ground zero for our mine methane capture operations, the expanded presence will enhance CNX’s unique opportunities to help meet rapidly expanding energy demand in a way that advances energy security and decarbonization goals.
- Related: Our first carbon project, the Appalachian Valley Improved Forest Management (IFM) Project, was launched in Virginia this year. Partnering with ClimeCo, we’re preserving over 34,000 forest acres in Virginia, which enhances carbon storage capabilities and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Importantly, this effort helps protect local wildlife and keeps our forests thriving for generations to come.
CNG & OFS Developments
2024 was another year of differentiation at CNX, advancing oilfield services solutions that provide cost, safety, and environmental efficiencies for the industry. April saw the launch of the AutoSepSM Technologies (AutoSep) joint venture with Deep Well Services (DWS), which introduced an automated flowback system for the completions process that leverages CNX’s technical development capabilities and the service quality standard DWS provides to the industry.
We also reached new CNG milestones during the year, notably completing the first full year of deploying CNG water-hauling trucks in southwestern Pennsylvania with FORCE Environmental Solutions. By using CNG, these trucks reduce emissions by 30% and related operating costs by 50%. During that period, CNX used 49,525 gallons (GGE) of CNG, which displaced ~36,192 gallons of diesel. Significant operational efficiencies, such as load time, were equally realized.
Teaming up with NuBlu Energy, 2024 also saw the launch of ZeroHP CNG™, a cutting-edge technology that eliminates the need for mechanical compressors. The new process displays myriad advances including drastic reductions in capital and operating costs, environmental footprint, required maintenance, and trailer fill time. With the capability to fill the largest virtual pipeline trailers in about an hour without the need for refrigeration, the patent-pending approach furthers CNX’s strategic position to meet the growing demand for clean and affordable energy.
- Related: The announcement with NuBlu also launched the Clean mLNG system, a micro-scale LNG liquefaction solution that leverages both Geobaric Energy and NuBlu’s methane-only refrigeration technology (Mlng). Leveraging cutting-edge processes and patent-pending technologies, Clean mLNG achieves cost savings and environmental benefits exceeding those of traditional mega-scale LNG processes, marking a significant industry milestone by enabling the cost-effective production of small-scale LNG without compromising performance, and by providing a path to zero Scopes 1 and 2 upstream emissions.
Workforce & Job Training
Equally as important as the operational investments made in 2024 are the unique career readiness programs the CNX Mentorship Academy provides. Over the last three years, the Academy has been opening doors for local youth by helping them learn from the region’s best and brightest. In February 2024, the CNX Board of Directors approved CEO Nick Deiuliis’ request to make another $1.5 million compensation donation to the CNX Foundation in support of the Mentorship Academy – further expanding the program’s offerings and partnerships.
2024 was clearly a busy year for the CNX team, launching a range of new technologies and achieving significant milestones that directly tie back to our commitment to making Appalachia stronger. While we are incredibly proud of our team and partners, we look forward to what’s ahead for us in 2025 as we continue looking for new and improved ways to develop, transport, and use abundant, Appalachian energy.
Related Articles

CNX’s 2024 Wrapped

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
As a play on Spotify’s annual “Wrapped,” we’re sharing our own year-in-review highlighting key projects and milestones throughout 2024 that showcase our commitment to responsible, transparent operations, environmental stewardship, and uplifting the communities where we work.
Just like Spotify Wrapped reveals personalized insights, CNX 2024 Wrapped reflects the greatest hits of our team innovating, driving change, and delivering long-term, sustainable energy solutions for Appalachia:
“All Out” RT
As CNX’s novel Radical Transparency program advanced across operating areas, initial results from continuous monitoring by Clean Air Engineering this year demonstrated CNX site-level emissions are far below nationally-designated air quality standards. Importantly, no sustained levels of asthma-inducing PM2.5 or cancer-causing BTEX were observed during any phase of development.
Within the first year of the Radical Transparency program, hundreds of thousands of datapoints have been collected, reported to PA DEP, and transparently posted simultaneously on CNXRadicalTransparency.com. The number of sites equipped with Radical Transparency monitoring equipment continues to grow, with 15 active and archived sites (both well pads and compressor stations) contributing to the real-time feed of air, water, and chemical data.
At its core, Radical Transparency is about open-sourcing environmental data, but its also our way of being open with stakeholders and constantly fielding questions and seeking feedback. Through the program, we’re learning more about our communities’ individual needs and are able to adapt operations to best fit each operating area. This is done through a combination of data-driven efforts and hosting community open houses so local residents can directly interact with CNX employees.
- Related: Radical Transparency is also gaining traction among local industry players, with longstanding chemical provider Chemstream announcing in February their operations are fully compliant with the initiative.
Bold GHG Reductions
With Appalachian natural gas already boasting the lowest methane intensity of all producing regions in the nation, CNX takes these qualities to the next level through an Emission Reduction Task Force that’s always innovating to further reduce our emissions footprint. As outlined in this year’s Corporate Sustainability Report, we reduced operational methane intensity by 52% in our production segment and 31% in our gathering and boosting segment between 2020 and 2023.
Additionally, with a mission to further reduce methane in our midstream segment, we invested $5 million into various technologies, including switching to electric-driven pumps at the Mamont Compressor Station. This singular upgrade translated to an 88% drop in emissions. What’s more, the Mamont station is also part of our Radical Transparency program, feeding air quality data to CNXRadicalTransparency.com in real-time.
H2 Advancements
Appalachia’s hydrogen hub aspirations became closer to reality throughout the year as official funding agreements were finalized via the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). On top of joining industry-wide initiatives to help jumpstart clean hydrogen development and use in the region, the team was actively working on policy measures to ensure the benefits of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) can materialize in Appalachian communities.
Importantly, U.S. Treasury recognized the value captured waste coal mine methane (CMM) presents as a feedstock for clean hydrogen production in their final tax credit rules (45V). We’re encouraged by this milestone, but remain committed to advocating for opportunities to fully realize the benefits this ultra-low carbon intensity fuel source can unlock in our region and beyond.
Tangible & Local Investments
Work in Westmoreland County and the Alle-Kiski valley came into focus this year as the team geared up for activity in 2025. Importantly, the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project was completed in June and is designed to better serve our local operations while delivering water resource solutions for area residents. The 20″ line is expected to serve as the primary alternative to water purchased from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) during voluntary or mandatory water conservation periods. The water line also significantly reduces the need for CNX to utilize water trucking, further reducing community impact.
Complementing this growing operational footprint in our Central PA (CPA) region, we opened an office in North Apollo this past summer to provide residents, local businesses, landowners, and community members with a place to access the CNX team. With the planned acquisition of Apex Energy’s upstream and midstream assets in Westmoreland County, this office location will serve as a meeting area for new landowners, community members, and other stakeholders to get to know us.
Moving a little farther to the south, CNX also established new regional headquarters in Richlands, Virginia. Ground zero for our mine methane capture operations, the expanded presence will enhance CNX’s unique opportunities to help meet rapidly expanding energy demand in a way that advances energy security and decarbonization goals.
- Related: Our first carbon project, the Appalachian Valley Improved Forest Management (IFM) Project, was launched in Virginia this year. Partnering with ClimeCo, we’re preserving over 34,000 forest acres in Virginia, which enhances carbon storage capabilities and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Importantly, this effort helps protect local wildlife and keeps our forests thriving for generations to come.
CNG & OFS Developments
2024 was another year of differentiation at CNX, advancing oilfield services solutions that provide cost, safety, and environmental efficiencies for the industry. April saw the launch of the AutoSepSM Technologies (AutoSep) joint venture with Deep Well Services (DWS), which introduced an automated flowback system for the completions process that leverages CNX’s technical development capabilities and the service quality standard DWS provides to the industry.
We also reached new CNG milestones during the year, notably completing the first full year of deploying CNG water-hauling trucks in southwestern Pennsylvania with FORCE Environmental Solutions. By using CNG, these trucks reduce emissions by 30% and related operating costs by 50%. During that period, CNX used 49,525 gallons (GGE) of CNG, which displaced ~36,192 gallons of diesel. Significant operational efficiencies, such as load time, were equally realized.
Teaming up with NuBlu Energy, 2024 also saw the launch of ZeroHP CNG™, a cutting-edge technology that eliminates the need for mechanical compressors. The new process displays myriad advances including drastic reductions in capital and operating costs, environmental footprint, required maintenance, and trailer fill time. With the capability to fill the largest virtual pipeline trailers in about an hour without the need for refrigeration, the patent-pending approach furthers CNX’s strategic position to meet the growing demand for clean and affordable energy.
- Related: The announcement with NuBlu also launched the Clean mLNG system, a micro-scale LNG liquefaction solution that leverages both Geobaric Energy and NuBlu’s methane-only refrigeration technology (Mlng). Leveraging cutting-edge processes and patent-pending technologies, Clean mLNG achieves cost savings and environmental benefits exceeding those of traditional mega-scale LNG processes, marking a significant industry milestone by enabling the cost-effective production of small-scale LNG without compromising performance, and by providing a path to zero Scopes 1 and 2 upstream emissions.
Workforce & Job Training
Equally as important as the operational investments made in 2024 are the unique career readiness programs the CNX Mentorship Academy provides. Over the last three years, the Academy has been opening doors for local youth by helping them learn from the region’s best and brightest. In February 2024, the CNX Board of Directors approved CEO Nick Deiuliis’ request to make another $1.5 million compensation donation to the CNX Foundation in support of the Mentorship Academy – further expanding the program’s offerings and partnerships.
2024 was clearly a busy year for the CNX team, launching a range of new technologies and achieving significant milestones that directly tie back to our commitment to making Appalachia stronger. While we are incredibly proud of our team and partners, we look forward to what’s ahead for us in 2025 as we continue looking for new and improved ways to develop, transport, and use abundant, Appalachian energy.
Related Articles

CNX’s 2024 Wrapped

Reducing Emissions is not only Good Business, it’s the Right Thing to do in our Communities
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
From 2020 through 2023, CNX reduced the methane

Reducing Emissions is not only Good Business, it’s the Right Thing to do in our Communities
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
From 2020 through 2023, CNX reduced the methane intensity in our company-wide gathering and boosting segment by 31% through continuously analyzing systems and identifying opportunities for enhancements. In 2024, the company invested an additional $5 million into methane reduction efforts, with a goal of eliminating 85,000 tons of CO2e. The Midstream group made significant progress toward that number by upgrading one of its compression facilities.
Mamont Compressor Station gathers gas from well sites in northern Westmoreland County and southern Indiana County. The facility currently moves approximately 30 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Untreated gas comes into the facility at low pressure (~125-150psi) and is saturated with water. Before the gas can be sold to downstream customers like utility companies, it needs to be compressed to meet pressure requirements (~800-900psi), and most of the water must be removed.
To remove the water, the facility has two dehydration units. Currently only one unit is running at any given time, while the other serves as a backup. Each dehydration unit (dehy) uses triethylene glycol to remove water from the gas stream. The dehy is a regenerative system that circulates glycol, pulling water from the gas and then boiling that water out of the glycol.

The gas and glycol flow in opposite directions through a contact tower where the glycol pulls water from the gas stream. The dry gas can then flow to sales while the saturated glycol must be regenerated to remove the water. The glycol/water mixture goes through filtration and enters a reboiler, which heats the mixture to boil off the water. Then the dry glycol is ready to be circulated back to the contact tower to start this process over again.
The glycol leaving the reboiler requires a pump to send it back to the contact tower. The original glycol pump is an energy-exchange style pump, which brings a small amount of methane along with the glycol returning from the contact tower. At older stations like Mamont, this methane is captured in the flash tank and then released into the atmosphere.

Newer dehys use electric-driven pumps that allow the contact tower to hold a higher liquid level. This means the only methane that returns to the flash tank is a very small quantity of gas entrained in the rich glycol. Mamont was identified as one of the highest methane-emitting midstream facilities in all of CNX operations at a calculated rate of 15,475 tons CO2e per year. The installation of electric-driven pumps eliminated the void where methane could enter the pump from the contact tower. As a result, the team was able to reduce dehy methane emissions at the station by 88%.

In addition, the team improved safety and reliability by installing additional automation and upgrading the burner management system. They also added a control panel at the dehy skid where the plant operator can control the entire facility.
Mamont Station is also part of the Radical Transparency initiative whereby realtime air quality reports are provided at this and other CNX facilities across southwest Pennsylvania. To see the live data, visit CNXRadicalTransparency.com.
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Reducing Emissions is not only Good Business, it’s the Right Thing to do in our Communities
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
From 2020 through 2023, CNX reduced the methane intensity in our company-wide gathering and boosting segment by 31% through continuously analyzing systems and identifying opportunities for enhancements. In 2024, the company invested an additional $5 million into methane reduction efforts, with a goal of eliminating 85,000 tons of CO2e. The Midstream group made significant progress toward that number by upgrading one of its compression facilities.
Mamont Compressor Station gathers gas from well sites in northern Westmoreland County and southern Indiana County. The facility currently moves approximately 30 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Untreated gas comes into the facility at low pressure (~125-150psi) and is saturated with water. Before the gas can be sold to downstream customers like utility companies, it needs to be compressed to meet pressure requirements (~800-900psi), and most of the water must be removed.
To remove the water, the facility has two dehydration units. Currently only one unit is running at any given time, while the other serves as a backup. Each dehydration unit (dehy) uses triethylene glycol to remove water from the gas stream. The dehy is a regenerative system that circulates glycol, pulling water from the gas and then boiling that water out of the glycol.

The gas and glycol flow in opposite directions through a contact tower where the glycol pulls water from the gas stream. The dry gas can then flow to sales while the saturated glycol must be regenerated to remove the water. The glycol/water mixture goes through filtration and enters a reboiler, which heats the mixture to boil off the water. Then the dry glycol is ready to be circulated back to the contact tower to start this process over again.
The glycol leaving the reboiler requires a pump to send it back to the contact tower. The original glycol pump is an energy-exchange style pump, which brings a small amount of methane along with the glycol returning from the contact tower. At older stations like Mamont, this methane is captured in the flash tank and then released into the atmosphere.

Newer dehys use electric-driven pumps that allow the contact tower to hold a higher liquid level. This means the only methane that returns to the flash tank is a very small quantity of gas entrained in the rich glycol. Mamont was identified as one of the highest methane-emitting midstream facilities in all of CNX operations at a calculated rate of 15,475 tons CO2e per year. The installation of electric-driven pumps eliminated the void where methane could enter the pump from the contact tower. As a result, the team was able to reduce dehy methane emissions at the station by 88%.

In addition, the team improved safety and reliability by installing additional automation and upgrading the burner management system. They also added a control panel at the dehy skid where the plant operator can control the entire facility.
Mamont Station is also part of the Radical Transparency initiative whereby realtime air quality reports are provided at this and other CNX facilities across southwest Pennsylvania. To see the live data, visit CNXRadicalTransparency.com.
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A Milestone for the Future of CNG

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has the potential to revolutionize the transportation industry and beyond. Compared to conventional fuels, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves fuel efficiency in fleet vehicles, and reduces maintenance costs because it is non-corrosive and burns cleaner. But compressing and storing natural gas at more than 3,000 pounds per square inch requires large mechanical compressors and other infrastructure that doesn’t exist at scale.
Enter ZeroHP CNGTM, a first-of-its-kind technology that eliminates the need for mechanical compressors. Instead, ZeroHP CNG utilizes high pressure (Geobaric Energy) from deep shale formations to compress the gas and fill CNG trailers on the sites where it is drilled. The technology is portable, allowing it to be deployed at microscale and generate fuel-grade CNG for a variety of uses in the field.
One such use is powering CNX’s electric frac fleet, which converts natural gas to electricity for hydraulic fracturing operations. Conventionally, the electric frac fleet uses gas from pipelines to fuel its electric turbine. When pipelines are not accessible (such as on a new well site), ZeroHP CNG can provide a low-emissions substitute fuel.
CNX recently completed the first implementation of this process, providing ZeroHP CNG to a new well site in Wadestown, WV that lacked existing infrastructure. Natural gas was produced, refined, and compressed at a mature well site in southwest PA and then trucked to the new site in WV. The ZeroHP CNG technology delivered 201 truckloads of CNG to fuel the frac fleet over 10 days. During this process, the team saw the following results:
- Natural gas compressed from ~800 psi to 3,900 psi for transport
- Each trailer filled in under 60 minutes
- 2 Trailers loaded at a time

In addition to use in CNX operations, ZeroHP CNG can also be sold directly to customers from the well pad on which it was produced. CNX sold 18 truckloads to customers during the first deployment, signifying a major milestone for the potential of microscale CNG.
One MMBtu (a Metric Million British Thermal Unit) of compressed natural gas produces approximately the same energy as seven gallons of diesel fuel, making it highly economical while greatly reducing the environmental impact. Tailpipe SOx and NOx are reduced by approximately 40% and 90% respectively by substituting CNG for conventional fuels. ZeroHP CNG also reduces production-related carbon intensity by 35% compared to conventional CNG.
Once scaled, ZeroHP CNG and Clean mLNG—a similar microscale solution for liquifying natural gas—have the potential to displace 56% of transatlantic and transpacific petroleum imports, reducing global emissions by 80 million metric tonnes CO2e every year.
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Perked Up Cafe’s Second Location Brings Fresh Flavors and Family Vibes to CNX Employees and Surrounding Community

Celebrate Giving Tuesday with CNX Foundation’s Spirit of Generosity

Celebrate Giving Tuesday with CNX Foundation’s Spirit of Generosity

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday inspires people across the globe to come together, give back, and celebrate the generosity that shapes communities throughout the year. Rooted in the belief that every act of giving matters, it’s a powerful reminder to support the causes and initiatives that make a difference in our lives and communities.
At CNX Resources, the CNX Foundation embodies our Appalachia First mission by driving meaningful and measurable change across the region. Building on the support we provide year-round, we launched CNX Impact – our season of giving – to amplify community efforts through hands-on employee volunteerism. Already, our team has packed food for local food banks, volunteered at the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, collected gifts for a variety of toy drives, and organized a cleanup day at Washington Lakes, all aimed at strengthening the communities we call home.
This Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to join us in supporting a selection of initiatives and organizations that reflect the diversity and impact of our core focus areas. These include:
In addition, throughout the year, CNX supports Outreached Arms, an organization that serves food to the hungry and provides basic necessities to those in need. CNX Foundation funds the meals provided every Tuesday, and CNX employees help serve the dinner on the first and second Tuesday of every month.
Another way to make an impact is by supporting one of the many nonprofit organizations that now call the Headquarters at CNX home. This initiative provides affordable, professional office space for nonprofits, charitable groups, women and minority-owned businesses, and underrepresented organizations. This space is more than an office—it’s a hub where organizations can grow their missions and collaborate with like-minded professionals. While these organizations may differ in focus, they share a common goal: improving the lives of individuals and families across our region. Together, they play a vital role in advancing the Appalachia First vision.
Our commitment to addressing issues like food insecurity, substance use disorder, and children’s health and wellness extends far beyond the holiday season. This Giving Tuesday, we celebrate all the ways people choose to give—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply helping a neighbor. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to build on the progress we’ve made and to continue supporting families, neighborhoods, and communities across Appalachia.
To learn more about CNX Foundation and the key areas we support, visit https://www.cnx.com/about-us/cnx-foundation.
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CNX Foundation Launches New Veterans Support Pillar with Memorial Dedication in Saltsburg, PA

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
From the moment CNX Resources employee Mike Virgin visited American Legion Post 57 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, he knew he wanted to find a way to contribute to the organization. As a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Virgin understands that continuing the legacy of the generations who served in the past is a privilege and a duty. As his relationship with the veterans of Post 57 grew, he learned about their desire for a memorial – one that would honor the area’s history of service while saving room for future service members.
Eighteen months ago, the CNX Foundation began hosting wing nights for veterans throughout the region. It was during the inaugural wing night at Post 57 when Virgin connected with several of the legion’s members and learned about the desire for a memorial reflecting the region’s breadth of service.
“I am lucky to work for an organization committed to three core values: responsibility, ownership and excellence,” said Virgin. “All three are important, but the one that resonates with me the most is ownership. I knew I wanted to take ownership of this memorial and see it through.”
While Virgin was working with Post 57 to determine what should be included in the memorial, CNX Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CNX Resources, was establishing a new key pillar to support veterans’ initiatives. Since its beginning, the Foundation has focused its support in nine pillars in addition to its flagship initiative, The Mentorship Academy:
- Food insecurity
- Children’s health and wellness
- Broadband and information technology access
- Domestic abuse and awareness
- Career readiness
- Water quality safety and awareness
- Recidivism and reentry
- Opioid epidemic and its societal impact
“From a foundation perspective, we’ve collaborated on different events with veteran organizations since our inception,” said Tim Bedard, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for CNX Resources and Navy veteran. “Over time, we realized we all felt compelled to further our commitment. Mike’s passion for creating this memorial drove us to form our eighth pillar. By contributing financially and dedicating our time, we are able to honor their service in a way that reflects our gratitude.”

The memorial is 11 feet tall and 10 feet wide and forged from U.S.-made Virginia Mist and Silver Cloud granite. Currently, the pillars are blank so Post 57 can formulate all Saltsburg veterans and have them properly engraved. The memorial is inscribed with the following quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
The American Legion is a cornerstone of veteran support, advocating for veterans’ rights, engaging in community service and support, sponsoring a wide variety of youth programs and education and providing veterans with strong connections to one another.
“CNX really helped us bring the idea of this memorial to fruition, and it’s just awesome,” said Bradley McClure, American Legion Post 57 Commander and Young Township Supervisor. “Our relationship started with the wing nights they sponsor and has grown over time. This memorial means a lot to this community and we are thankful to CNX.”
In addition to supporting the memorial, in the last year, CNX Foundation has worked with the Greene County Veterans Club to help remodel their restroom to make it handicap accessible, contributed funds for veteran wing nights throughout the region and contributed funds for the Guardian Angels Service Dog project. The Foundation has also partnered with veteran programs to provide gifts and food to families throughout the holiday season.
“The CNX Foundation is committed to making a tangible, impactful and local difference throughout Appalachia,” said Virgin. “This memorial embodies all three of those values, and it’s a visual representation of the high bar our predecessors have set for us with their commitment to their country.”

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CNX Foundation Launches New Veterans Support Pillar with Memorial Dedication in Saltsburg, PA

CNX Foundation Launches New Veterans Support Pillar with Memorial Dedication in Saltsburg, PA

By Positive Energy Hub Staff
From the moment CNX Resources employee Mike Virgin visited American Legion Post 57 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, he knew he wanted to find a way to contribute to the organization. As a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Virgin understands that continuing the legacy of the generations who served in the past is a privilege and a duty. As his relationship with the veterans of Post 57 grew, he learned about their desire for a memorial – one that would honor the area’s history of service while saving room for future service members.
Eighteen months ago, the CNX Foundation began hosting wing nights for veterans throughout the region. It was during the inaugural wing night at Post 57 when Virgin connected with several of the legion’s members and learned about the desire for a memorial reflecting the region’s breadth of service.
“I am lucky to work for an organization committed to three core values: responsibility, ownership and excellence,” said Virgin. “All three are important, but the one that resonates with me the most is ownership. I knew I wanted to take ownership of this memorial and see it through.”
While Virgin was working with Post 57 to determine what should be included in the memorial, CNX Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CNX Resources, was establishing a new key pillar to support veterans’ initiatives. Since its beginning, the Foundation has focused its support in nine pillars in addition to its flagship initiative, The Mentorship Academy:
- Food insecurity
- Children’s health and wellness
- Broadband and information technology access
- Domestic abuse and awareness
- Career readiness
- Water quality safety and awareness
- Recidivism and reentry
- Opioid epidemic and its societal impact
“From a foundation perspective, we’ve collaborated on different events with veteran organizations since our inception,” said Tim Bedard, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for CNX Resources and Navy veteran. “Over time, we realized we all felt compelled to further our commitment. Mike’s passion for creating this memorial drove us to form our eighth pillar. By contributing financially and dedicating our time, we are able to honor their service in a way that reflects our gratitude.”

The memorial is 11 feet tall and 10 feet wide and forged from U.S.-made Virginia Mist and Silver Cloud granite. Currently, the pillars are blank so Post 57 can formulate all Saltsburg veterans and have them properly engraved. The memorial is inscribed with the following quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
The American Legion is a cornerstone of veteran support, advocating for veterans’ rights, engaging in community service and support, sponsoring a wide variety of youth programs and education and providing veterans with strong connections to one another.
“CNX really helped us bring the idea of this memorial to fruition, and it’s just awesome,” said Bradley McClure, American Legion Post 57 Commander and Young Township Supervisor. “Our relationship started with the wing nights they sponsor and has grown over time. This memorial means a lot to this community and we are thankful to CNX.”
In addition to supporting the memorial, in the last year, CNX Foundation has worked with the Greene County Veterans Club to help remodel their restroom to make it handicap accessible, contributed funds for veteran wing nights throughout the region and contributed funds for the Guardian Angels Service Dog project. The Foundation has also partnered with veteran programs to provide gifts and food to families throughout the holiday season.
“The CNX Foundation is committed to making a tangible, impactful and local difference throughout Appalachia,” said Virgin. “This memorial embodies all three of those values, and it’s a visual representation of the high bar our predecessors have set for us with their commitment to their country.”

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Agricultural Sources of Particulate Matter

By Carrie Crumpton, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy
Through our Radical Transparency program, we not only monitor and disclose raw data in real time to state regulators and the public, but we also leverage the program as an opportunity to investigate when we see an anomaly in the data. Each operational location has its own unique characteristics, and we view any data anomaly as an opportunity to study, learn, improve, and customize our operating practices to the benefit of each local community. In other words, the program has provided an ancillary benefit beyond simply sharing data and providing the public with first-of-its kind transparency from the natural gas industry; it’s an opportunity for our industry to learn, adapt, and enhance operations in real time.
In that vein, we occasionally see readings of PM2.5 (particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter) that are higher than expected for the activity (or lack of activity) that is occurring on a pad location. As you’ll recall from previous Context Corner editions, PM2.5 sources can be emissions from combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, wood, or other biomass; or dusts and dirt from unsealed roads, construction, landfill, and agriculture. Some pollens and molds can also contribute to particulate matter that can register on certain devices that record PM2.5. When we are alerted to these ‘higher than expected’ readings, our team responds to review the conditions on location to ensure our process and equipment are working as designed. Our team often observes adjacent activity that could be contributing to the readings we are recording.

As we consider possible contributing factors for these unexpected readings, one thing to remember is that well pads are not large industrial complexes that are isolated from other typical activities in the region. Well pads in Appalachia are sited alongside other activities such as coal mining operations and, more often, near agricultural activity, which is prominent within our operating footprint. USDA’s 2023 State Agricultural Overview reports there are over 49,000 Farm Operations totaling more than 7,100,000 acres with agricultural operations in Pennsylvania. CNX well pads are alongside and often surrounded by some of these agricultural activities. Activities occurring on these working farms can contribute to the air quality readings we see at our pad locations. The monitors we utilize do not differentiate from where the PM2.5 originates. Exhaust, dust, smoke, and pollen from these agricultural activities are detected and recorded as well.
CNX recognizes that unique air quality challenges exist in agriculture. From application of pesticides and fertilizers, plowing and tilling, etc., to the management of livestock waste and burning of crop residues, agricultural practices release contaminants including volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, among others. CNX is taking steps to help better understand the region’s PM2.5 by looking for contributions from well pad/development activity and hope that others can utilize the robust dataset to explore other possible sources of PM2.5. We view this as an opportunity for innovation and transformation. CNX believes that the data we record and provide can help advance air quality across the region and could innovate opportunities outside of the sphere of natural gas, like opportunities to move forward sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation tillage, precision farming, or integrated pest management.

CNX appreciates the mutually beneficial opportunity to develop natural gas alongside agriculture in Appalachia and is proud to contribute to the direct economic benefit for the agricultural community. These synchronous activities have cemented the opportunity for multi-generational family farms to continue for generations to come by providing supplemental income to families and improving opportunities for investments in new technology and equipment. These investments and the efficiencies that are gained preserve the Appalachian region’s farming culture and help preserve the competitive viability of the family farm in Appalachia. Tangible data leads to innovative, impactful solutions that benefit everyone in the (local) region.


Agricultural Sources of Particulate Matter

CNX Caring Cart Program Expands to the IRMC Cancer Center, in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Indiana, PA
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often face several hours

CNX Caring Cart Program Expands to the IRMC Cancer Center, in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Indiana, PA
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often face several hours of treatment at a time. The appointments can be physically uncomfortable, and filling the expanse of time can be challenging. That’s where the CNX Caring Cart—a cart filled with snacks, throat lozenges, lip balm, puzzles, blankets, backscratchers, and more—has helped to provide some comfort and occupy patients’ treatment times since 2015. Launched in collaboration with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Volunteer Services, this initiative has since expanded to the Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) Cancer Center, in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
According to Rachel Wyzkowski, lead coordinator, UPMC Hillman Volunteer and Community Services, the fact that volunteers bring the cart around makes it particularly special.
“When patients see the cart coming around the corner, it’s an opportunity for them not only to grab some fun items, but it’s also a distraction from their medical treatment. They know the person delivering the items is one of our volunteers and is not there to talk about medicine or protocols. It sounds small, but it really makes a difference,” she said.
Since 2015, CNX has provided over $325,000 to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, beginning at its flagship location in Shadyside. Most of the funds support the caring cart initiative, which Ms. Wyzkowski and CNX’s external relations manager, Amy Hopkins, like to keep fresh with a balance of items that may help ease the side effects of treatment along with fun items that help provide distraction.
Ms. Wyzkowski said backscratchers are popular all year round, but bucket hats became a favorite over the summer.
Recognizing a need for this service beyond UPMC Hillman in Shadyside, the CNX Foundation, CNX’s philanthropic arm founded in 2021, increased its support for the program to provide a cart to the IRMC Cancer Center in Indiana, PA.
“We are really excited to extend this program to an additional UPMC Hillman location,” Ms. Hopkins said. “It’s our way of hopefully brightening a patient’s day and filling a need at the cancer center as well.”

In December, CNX Resources employees volunteer to take the cart to patients on each floor of the cancer center. During the rest of the year, UPMC Hillman volunteers bring the cart to patients throughout the center, offering various care items.
“Undergoing cancer treatment can be a tremendous challenge,” said Tim Bedard, executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of CNX Resources. “We hope that the caring carts help bring some joy and comfort to patients and their families during a difficult period in their lives.”
Philanthropic impact can take many forms, from individual donations to teams of people working together.
“The caring cart program requires financial support, of course. But it also relies on regular volunteers and the creativity and thoughtfulness that goes into selecting the items,” said Shannon Kroskie Smith, community relations coordinator for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
To learn more about the CNX Caring Cart program and how your organization can help support UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, contact the Development Office at 412-623-4700 or givetohillman@upmc.edu.
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CNX Caring Cart Program Expands to the IRMC Cancer Center, in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Indiana, PA
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often face several hours of treatment at a time. The appointments can be physically uncomfortable, and filling the expanse of time can be challenging. That’s where the CNX Caring Cart—a cart filled with snacks, throat lozenges, lip balm, puzzles, blankets, backscratchers, and more—has helped to provide some comfort and occupy patients’ treatment times since 2015. Launched in collaboration with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Volunteer Services, this initiative has since expanded to the Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) Cancer Center, in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
According to Rachel Wyzkowski, lead coordinator, UPMC Hillman Volunteer and Community Services, the fact that volunteers bring the cart around makes it particularly special.
“When patients see the cart coming around the corner, it’s an opportunity for them not only to grab some fun items, but it’s also a distraction from their medical treatment. They know the person delivering the items is one of our volunteers and is not there to talk about medicine or protocols. It sounds small, but it really makes a difference,” she said.
Since 2015, CNX has provided over $325,000 to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, beginning at its flagship location in Shadyside. Most of the funds support the caring cart initiative, which Ms. Wyzkowski and CNX’s external relations manager, Amy Hopkins, like to keep fresh with a balance of items that may help ease the side effects of treatment along with fun items that help provide distraction.
Ms. Wyzkowski said backscratchers are popular all year round, but bucket hats became a favorite over the summer.
Recognizing a need for this service beyond UPMC Hillman in Shadyside, the CNX Foundation, CNX’s philanthropic arm founded in 2021, increased its support for the program to provide a cart to the IRMC Cancer Center in Indiana, PA.
“We are really excited to extend this program to an additional UPMC Hillman location,” Ms. Hopkins said. “It’s our way of hopefully brightening a patient’s day and filling a need at the cancer center as well.”

In December, CNX Resources employees volunteer to take the cart to patients on each floor of the cancer center. During the rest of the year, UPMC Hillman volunteers bring the cart to patients throughout the center, offering various care items.
“Undergoing cancer treatment can be a tremendous challenge,” said Tim Bedard, executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of CNX Resources. “We hope that the caring carts help bring some joy and comfort to patients and their families during a difficult period in their lives.”
Philanthropic impact can take many forms, from individual donations to teams of people working together.
“The caring cart program requires financial support, of course. But it also relies on regular volunteers and the creativity and thoughtfulness that goes into selecting the items,” said Shannon Kroskie Smith, community relations coordinator for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
To learn more about the CNX Caring Cart program and how your organization can help support UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, contact the Development Office at 412-623-4700 or givetohillman@upmc.edu.
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Newest Class of Mentorship Academy Students Find Energy Industry Inspiring and Daunting
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
“Growth.” “Success.” “Big Aspirations.” These are just some of the words students from this year’s Mentorship Academy class use to describe their vision for the future.
The 2024/2025 Mentorship Academy kicked off with CNX Resources’ second annual Intro to Energy Day. The students learned about areas of the industry that appealed to them – like the developing role artificial intelligence plays in natural gas development – as well as areas that didn’t, like (for some) working up high on a natural gas rig. Their goals for the future are as individual as they are, and over the course of their time with the Mentorship Academy, they will have the opportunity to explore career paths in hospitality, healthcare, building trades, manufacturing and more.
“It takes such a wide range of individuals and organizations to make Intro to Energy such a success,” said Mentorship Academy founder, CNX President and CEO Nick Deiuliis. “We want to thank our mentors, partners and staff not only for today but for the commitment they are making to the students over the course of the year.”
The students tell their stories best. To hear about Intro to Energy and the Mentorship Academy in their own words, watch here.
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Independent Analysis: Real-time Air Quality Monitoring at Natural Gas Development Sites
Natural gas is an important and abundant resource produced in the U.S. primarily via unconventional gas development involving hydraulic fracturing of shale rock formations. One of the major shale gas regions in the U.S. is the Appalachian Basin, which contains the Marcellus and Utica shale formations.
In response to recent observational epidemiological studies in communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania with unconventional natural gas development, CNX Resources Corporation (CNX) has taken a proactive approach to directly monitor air and water quality at unconventional natural gas sites and provide public access to the full dataset.
Initially, fifteen natural gas facilities, including natural gas compressor stations and well sites in various stages of development, such as site construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and production, were selected for a program to provide data for CNX’s ongoing operation.
For the measurement of PM2.5 (particulates with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 micrometer), each facility was equipped with real-time Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) monitors at representative upwind and downwind locations at the facility fence line. Each monitoring station was operated according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for State and Local Ambient Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) for at least six months. In addition to PM2.5, each facility was equipped with four passive samplers to determine benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) concentrations around each site via EPA Method 325.
Radical Transparency Ambient Air Quality Preliminary Results_8.8.2024.pdf
PDF – 3.4 Mb
The poster presentation introduced the program objectives and experimental design and summarized results from ongoing operations, highlighting efforts at sites with data sets of more than six months in duration. Analysis of the preliminary program data set allowed for the following conclusions:


By Positive Energy Hub Staff
The energy future is bright in Virginia. Building upon our operating history across southwestern Virginia, CNX was recently joined by Governor Youngkin, Senator Hackworth, Delegate Morefield, cabinet officials, and local economic development leaders to celebrate our new regional headquarters in Tazewell County. This investment represents a commitment to facilitating economic growth and job opportunities across the region and better positions us to reliably and affordably meet Virginia’s growing energy demands.
“CNX brings to life our vision for an all-American, all-of-the-above approach to fueling Virginia’s unprecedented economic growth and energy needs, leveraging Southwest Virginia’s rich coal mines to produce abundant, affordable, and lower emissions natural gas,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The Richlands headquarters will support 75 full-time positions and expand CNX’s current office square footage by 85%.
“We hope that by relocating our Virginia headquarters here, we will not only stimulate the local economy, but also be an asset to this community,” explained CNX President of New Technologies Ravi Srivastava. “This region is critical to the continued growth of our company, our employees and our vendors and we are proud to call it home.”
With CNX’s storied operating history in Virginia beginning in the early 1990s, today we’re proud to serve as the largest natural gas operator in the state. Home to the Buchanan Mine, the state is central to our mine methane capture activities that advance energy security and climate goals. By capturing waste emissions from the Appalachian region’s coal mines – where 80% of mine methane emissions are concentrated – and repurposing it for clean energy or manufacturing feedstocks, we’re helping Virginia become an epicenter of the circular economy.
“By opening this state-of-the-art facility right here in Richlands, [CNX is] betting on the future of energy production in the Commonwealth and their commitment to the Appalachian region,” Governor Youngkin continued.
Overall, natural gas development plays a vital role in Southwest Virginia’s economy by employing hundreds of people and ensuring local contractors can continue to work.
The new office investment isn’t the first of our efforts to support the region. Operating under a strict Appalachia First mindset, our employees go to work each day with a goal of safely and responsibly contributing to Virginia’s energy economy and the health of communities across the area.
The Appalachian Valley Improved Forest Management (IFM) project, in partnership with ClimeCo for example, is preserving over 34,000 forest acres primarily located within Buchanan and Tazewell counties that is home to many endangered species. The forest also serves as a habitat for a Rocky Mountain Elk introduction project. These biodiversity benefits are in addition to the emission reductions and associated carbon credits being offered to further promote conservation efforts. As a large surface owner in the Appalachian region, the Appalachian Valley IFM is the first of many carbon projects our team plans to advance.
On the other side of the coin, our team steps up when communities are in need. This includes the 2023 flood relief efforts in Buchanan County as well as holiday gift donations and food drives that contributed more than $100k to southwestern Virginia community organizations. These causes included Producers Supply, United Way Southwest VA, American Red Cross, Feeding My Sheep, and Grace Fellowship Church of God. We also participated in volunteer work around food insecurity and children’s health and wellness.
As these efforts and our legacy of being a prominent corporate partner demonstrate, we will always look for ways to make tangible impacts in the communities we proudly call home.”I’m grateful for the partnership Virginia enjoys with CNX Resources,” Senator Travis Hackworth said at the office opening. “They’ve already been a great asset to the region and I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow.”
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By Positive Energy Hub Staff
The energy future is bright in Virginia. Building upon our operating history across southwestern Virginia, CNX was recently joined by Governor Youngkin, Senator Hackworth, Delegate Morefield, cabinet officials, and local economic development leaders to celebrate our new regional headquarters in Tazewell County. This investment represents a commitment to facilitating economic growth and job opportunities across the region and better positions us to reliably and affordably meet Virginia’s growing energy demands.
“CNX brings to life our vision for an all-American, all-of-the-above approach to fueling Virginia’s unprecedented economic growth and energy needs, leveraging Southwest Virginia’s rich coal mines to produce abundant, affordable, and lower emissions natural gas,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The Richlands headquarters will support 75 full-time positions and expand CNX’s current office square footage by 85%.
“We hope that by relocating our Virginia headquarters here, we will not only stimulate the local economy, but also be an asset to this community,” explained CNX President of New Technologies Ravi Srivastava. “This region is critical to the continued growth of our company, our employees and our vendors and we are proud to call it home.”
With CNX’s storied operating history in Virginia beginning in the early 1990s, today we’re proud to serve as the largest natural gas operator in the state. Home to the Buchanan Mine, the state is central to our mine methane capture activities that advance energy security and climate goals. By capturing waste emissions from the Appalachian region’s coal mines – where 80% of mine methane emissions are concentrated – and repurposing it for clean energy or manufacturing feedstocks, we’re helping Virginia become an epicenter of the circular economy.
“By opening this state-of-the-art facility right here in Richlands, [CNX is] betting on the future of energy production in the Commonwealth and their commitment to the Appalachian region,” Governor Youngkin continued.
Overall, natural gas development plays a vital role in Southwest Virginia’s economy by employing hundreds of people and ensuring local contractors can continue to work.
The new office investment isn’t the first of our efforts to support the region. Operating under a strict Appalachia First mindset, our employees go to work each day with a goal of safely and responsibly contributing to Virginia’s energy economy and the health of communities across the area.
The Appalachian Valley Improved Forest Management (IFM) project, in partnership with ClimeCo for example, is preserving over 34,000 forest acres primarily located within Buchanan and Tazewell counties that is home to many endangered species. The forest also serves as a habitat for a Rocky Mountain Elk introduction project. These biodiversity benefits are in addition to the emission reductions and associated carbon credits being offered to further promote conservation efforts. As a large surface owner in the Appalachian region, the Appalachian Valley IFM is the first of many carbon projects our team plans to advance.
On the other side of the coin, our team steps up when communities are in need. This includes the 2023 flood relief efforts in Buchanan County as well as holiday gift donations and food drives that contributed more than $100k to southwestern Virginia community organizations. These causes included Producers Supply, United Way Southwest VA, American Red Cross, Feeding My Sheep, and Grace Fellowship Church of God. We also participated in volunteer work around food insecurity and children’s health and wellness.
As these efforts and our legacy of being a prominent corporate partner demonstrate, we will always look for ways to make tangible impacts in the communities we proudly call home.”I’m grateful for the partnership Virginia enjoys with CNX Resources,” Senator Travis Hackworth said at the office opening. “They’ve already been a great asset to the region and I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow.”
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CNX and ClimeCo Preserve 34,422 Forest Acres

With the partnership and guidance of ClimeCo as the project developer, CNX is able to bring forth high-quality carbon credits to the voluntary market. For information on purchasing credits from the Appalachian Valley IFM Project, contact Daniel Bitz at danielbitz@cnx.com and Dan Linsky at dlinsky@climeco.com.
By Dan Bitz, CNX Director of Surface Asset Strategy
It’s easy to forget today, but the colonization and growth of America would likely have failed if it weren’t for the quality and volume of its trees. For centuries, timber was the lifeblood of a developing nation: a primary component for building homes and structures, ships, the fuel used to run various wood-fired machines and heating devices, and a crucial material for multiple early industries. Considering the rapid growth of America and the ingenuity humans applied to modern timber equipment, a heavy toll was paid by the nation’s forests. Some 400 years after colonists began to clear trees, we again look to trees to solve societal issues. This time around, the remedy isn’t going to be the products the trees can create but the CO2 sequestration they enable and ecosystem health they maintain with their continued growth.
In 2023, CNX partnered with global sustainability company ClimeCo to transition large portions of CNX-owned surface property from timber assets to a carbon credit asset. This change was made possible by buying out an existing, large acreage timber lease and enrolling the acreage into an Improved Forest Management (IFM) project, which employs forest management practices that increase carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. IFM projects can involve a variety of changes to existing forest management practices. The CNX Appalachian Valley IFM Project focuses on reducing harvest volumes to decrease emissions and create credits for avoided emissions associated with harvesting and enhancing the rate of carbon storage in tree biomass. These activities also help to preserve and enhance the forest’s biodiversity.
How Do Trees Generate Carbon Credits?
The concept is simple: preserve forests that would otherwise have been harvested and let those forests continue their natural function of capturing CO2. The amount of CO2 preserved and the additional CO2 sequestered by continued growth is measured and calculated by the carbon project developer, reviewed and verified by a third-party auditor, and then reviewed a second time by a nonprofit carbon registry. Carbon registries act as regulatory bodies within the Voluntary Carbon Market to establish standards for various project types and to ensure that they are met. This process allows companies like CNX, which controls timber and land, to commit to a timeframe for protecting the resource and generating saleable assets called carbon credits.
Carbon registries are also responsible for issuing the credits generated by these verified carbon projects. One carbon credit represents one metric ton of CO2 equivalent in emissions avoided or removed from the atmosphere.
How Are Carbon Credits Used?
Companies and other emitters who are unable to reduce all their carbon emissions through changes in activities can purchase carbon credits as part of a broader sustainability strategy to address emissions that are otherwise difficult to reduce. Potential buyers of carbon credits must consider several critical criteria. IFM credits require assurance that:
- The forest would have been harvested unless otherwise acted upon
- It will be protected decades into the future
- The registry and associated protocol provide detailed documentation to be made public, establishing the location and quality of the project
IFM carbon projects are just one method for reducing CO2 emissions, but they have become an important tool due to their quality, which correlates to the additionality the project provides (defined as whether or not the emissions reductions and removals would have happened in the absence of the project), as well as any additional social and environmental benefits associated with the project. IFM carbon projects are able to make significant and meaningful impacts today when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions.
An Overview of CNX’s First Carbon Project
CNX has the benefit of owning and managing a significant amount of Appalachian surface property populated by forests. Utilizing the legacy timberlands on these properties, many of which were affected by past 3rd-party mining activity, the company is preserving over 34,000 acres of existing mature Appalachian hardwood forest for a minimum of 40 years. Utilizing the expertise and professional guidance of ClimeCo, the project has been listed with Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standard, a designation awarded to projects that provide exceptional benefits.
The primary location of the Appalachian Valley IFM Project is within Buchanan and Tazewell counties of southwest Virginia. The temperate forests within these counties hold a diverse array of hardwood species and their connectivity is important for ecosystem health in the Appalachian region, which has been heavily fragmented by natural resource extraction. Native biodiversity will benefit from the protection of the forests within the project area. The project area is home to four species of endangered bats, several species of endangered freshwater mussel, and will also provide additional habitat for a Rocky Mountain Elk reintroduction project.

Verra is the carbon registry that will certify the IFM project, indicating that the project activities have achieved measurable, high-integrity outcomes (www.Verra.org/about). As of August 20th, 2024, the Appalachian Valley IFM project successfully achieved listing on the Verra registry. Credits are expected to be issued in early 2025 following the third-party audit and registry review.
CNX recognizes the balance of developing natural resources while achieving net overall benefits for communities and ecosystems. We understand the importance of timber markets to the region and expect carbon and timber projects to achieve the proper balance. The project brings additional value to CNX by leveraging existing assets while enabling improved habitat and conservation practices within Appalachia.
Officially launched in 2021, CNX New Technologies develops proprietary technology and nature-based solutions for vertical and horizontal business growth, which are rooted in the company’s extensive legacy asset base, intellectual assets, and innovative tradition. The group is actively developing and marketing a plethora of nature-based projects, while creating low-carbon-intensity energy solutions.
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Truth Lives in Raw Data
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Too often “click-bait” headlines and sensationalized narratives drive public conversation. Few American industries are subject to this rhetoric more than the domestic natural gas sector, where deep-pocketed environmental activist organizations and the media outlets they fund advance a radical “keep it in the ground” agenda.
Southwestern Pennsylvania has become ground zero for this debate, and a state-funded study aiming to provide clarity left us with far more questions than answers. Significant flaws, including no actual air, water, or land samples collected, in last year’s University of Pittsburgh health and environment studies drove more confusion and less trust in the process for local residents – residents who rightfully deserve to get the answers they need.
As one of the study’s hand-selected participants lamented to WPXI, “I had a one-time phone interview. They didn’t come to my home, they didn’t test the soil, they didn’t test the water, they didn’t come to the community.”
A company rooted in this community for generations and born from a drive for continuous improvement, we saw this data gap as an opportunity to be responsive to stakeholders and provide public access to comprehensive air, water, and waste data of the various phases of unconventional natural gas development.
Enter CNX’s Radical Transparency™ program, further heightening the company’s operational disclosures in collaboration with state environmental regulators and the public, prioritizing public health and safety and ensuring the natural gas industry is performing its work in line with the highest standards.

In partnership with Governor Shapiro and the state Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), we have installed robust, third-party data collection systems on more than a dozen active well pads and compressor stations in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia. This information – the most comprehensive in the nation – is fed directly to the PADEP and to a public platform, eliminating the risk of data manipulation.
“With this collaboration, CNX is leading the industry in showing how we can reduce pollution and ensure the health and safety of our communities while still maintaining Pennsylvania’s central role in the nation’s energy economy.” – Governor Josh Shapiro
So, what are the results when you do take accurate, site-level measurements and open-source them for the public to view? That’s the question we dared to ask over a year ago, and the initial answers (found in raw, unfiltered data via Radical Transparency™) paint a much more holistic picture that mere statistical associations simply cannot.
Instead of validating the catastrophic narrative pushed by some environmental activists like FracTracker Alliance, PennFuture, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Environmental Health Project, Breathe Project, and reported by the likes of Capital & Main and Inside Climate News (organizations that share funding from deep-pocketed foundations that hide behind these storefront organizations), the data tells a different story – one that doesn’t quite fit into the pre-formed box activists hoped for:
Now, as the facts refuse to align with the “fracking is terrible” rhetoric, the industry’s regular critics are working overtime to discredit the very data they once demanded. In the face of full transparency, they’re throwing everything they can to undermine the credibility of a system they once clamored for.
That includes misappropriating nearly two-decades worth of “environmental violation” notices from PADEP – 90% of which were self-reported paperwork errors rather than actual environmental hazards – in attempts to cast CNX as an irresponsible operator that can’t be trusted. This narrative was spun right when Radical Transparency™ was first announced and, just like we did then, we’ll continue to hold these organizations accountable and call them out when they intentionally confuse the facts.
We understand there will always be entities fundamentally opposed to natural gas development and refuse to believe it can be done responsibly. Despite these differences, we invite all skeptics (and non-skeptics) to come see firsthand how Radical Transparency™ functions in action. Rather than finger-pointing, let’s let the data – clear, precise, and science-backed – drive the conversation. By focusing on facts, we can create an open dialogue grounded in reality, so that together we can ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more informed future for Pennsylvania.
Consider this an open invitation to view and assess the Radical Transparency™ program firsthand, meet with our team, share legitimate concerns you may have – no one who comes to the table in good faith will be turned away. Let’s work together to provide Pennsylvania communities the answers they deserve.
For more information or to engage directly with our Radical Transparency™ team, please contact us at radicaltransparency@cnx.com.
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Truth Lives in Raw Data
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Too often “click-bait” headlines and sensationalized narratives drive public conversation. Few American industries are subject to this rhetoric more than the domestic natural gas sector, where deep-pocketed environmental activist organizations and the media outlets they fund advance a radical “keep it in the ground” agenda.
Southwestern Pennsylvania has become ground zero for this debate, and a state-funded study aiming to provide clarity left us with far more questions than answers. Significant flaws, including no actual air, water, or land samples collected, in last year’s University of Pittsburgh health and environment studies drove more confusion and less trust in the process for local residents – residents who rightfully deserve to get the answers they need.
As one of the study’s hand-selected participants lamented to WPXI, “I had a one-time phone interview. They didn’t come to my home, they didn’t test the soil, they didn’t test the water, they didn’t come to the community.”
A company rooted in this community for generations and born from a drive for continuous improvement, we saw this data gap as an opportunity to be responsive to stakeholders and provide public access to comprehensive air, water, and waste data of the various phases of unconventional natural gas development.
Enter CNX’s Radical Transparency™ program, further heightening the company’s operational disclosures in collaboration with state environmental regulators and the public, prioritizing public health and safety and ensuring the natural gas industry is performing its work in line with the highest standards.

In partnership with Governor Shapiro and the state Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), we have installed robust, third-party data collection systems on more than a dozen active well pads and compressor stations in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia. This information – the most comprehensive in the nation – is fed directly to the PADEP and to a public platform, eliminating the risk of data manipulation.
“With this collaboration, CNX is leading the industry in showing how we can reduce pollution and ensure the health and safety of our communities while still maintaining Pennsylvania’s central role in the nation’s energy economy.” – Governor Josh Shapiro
So, what are the results when you do take accurate, site-level measurements and open-source them for the public to view? That’s the question we dared to ask over a year ago, and the initial answers (found in raw, unfiltered data via Radical Transparency™) paint a much more holistic picture that mere statistical associations simply cannot.
Instead of validating the catastrophic narrative pushed by some environmental activists like FracTracker Alliance, PennFuture, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Environmental Health Project, Breathe Project, and reported by the likes of Capital & Main and Inside Climate News (organizations that share funding from deep-pocketed foundations that hide behind these storefront organizations), the data tells a different story – one that doesn’t quite fit into the pre-formed box activists hoped for:
Now, as the facts refuse to align with the “fracking is terrible” rhetoric, the industry’s regular critics are working overtime to discredit the very data they once demanded. In the face of full transparency, they’re throwing everything they can to undermine the credibility of a system they once clamored for.
That includes misappropriating nearly two-decades worth of “environmental violation” notices from PADEP – 90% of which were self-reported paperwork errors rather than actual environmental hazards – in attempts to cast CNX as an irresponsible operator that can’t be trusted. This narrative was spun right when Radical Transparency™ was first announced and, just like we did then, we’ll continue to hold these organizations accountable and call them out when they intentionally confuse the facts.
We understand there will always be entities fundamentally opposed to natural gas development and refuse to believe it can be done responsibly. Despite these differences, we invite all skeptics (and non-skeptics) to come see firsthand how Radical Transparency™ functions in action. Rather than finger-pointing, let’s let the data – clear, precise, and science-backed – drive the conversation. By focusing on facts, we can create an open dialogue grounded in reality, so that together we can ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more informed future for Pennsylvania.
Consider this an open invitation to view and assess the Radical Transparency™ program firsthand, meet with our team, share legitimate concerns you may have – no one who comes to the table in good faith will be turned away. Let’s work together to provide Pennsylvania communities the answers they deserve.
For more information or to engage directly with our Radical Transparency™ team, please contact us at radicaltransparency@cnx.com.
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An Open Letter to Our Communities Across Appalachia
By Nav Behl, Chief Operating Officer
Recently, a video was released on social media that revealed a vendor of CNX Resources engaging in unsafe driving practices in Greene County, Pennsylvania.
Let us be completely clear–we do not tolerate unsafe behavior by any employee or contractor of CNX Resources, and we took immediate action to address this situation.
At CNX, our core values dictate that safety can never be compromised. We have zero tolerance for unsafe behavior in the communities where we have lived and worked for generations. Regarding this specific incident, we quickly identified the responsible driver and served our contractor with a “Do Not Return” notice for the employee involved in the incident, which means the contractor’s employee is permanently barred from any activity related to CNX Resources and its operations. Additionally, we issued a safety alert to all of our trucking vendors and reinforced our zero tolerance policy. Our expectations for contractors and vendors, as well as our employees, are consistently communicated, enforced, and will continue to be emphasized on a regular basis.
Our Appalachia First vision and commitment places local communities at the core of everything we do, and we demand that every employee and contractor of CNX Resources abide by our core value of responsibility to the community in every decision and every action.
We will use this unfortunate incident as an opportunity to reinforce our safety culture, while continuing to educate our employees, vendors, and contractors on the critical importance they play in the work we do and our relationship with our local communities.
You can rest assured that our attention to safety and compliance will never be compromised, and that any incident that deviates from that commitment will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately in accordance with our values.
Our Operations and Community Relations teams are available 24/7, and we encourage anyone with questions or concerns about our operations to reach out to us either via email at communityrelations@cnx.com or by phone at 724-485-4998.
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An Open Letter to Our Communities Across Appalachia
By Nav Behl, Chief Operating Officer
Recently, a video was released on social media that revealed a vendor of CNX Resources engaging in unsafe driving practices in Greene County, Pennsylvania.
Let us be completely clear–we do not tolerate unsafe behavior by any employee or contractor of CNX Resources, and we took immediate action to address this situation.
At CNX, our core values dictate that safety can never be compromised. We have zero tolerance for unsafe behavior in the communities where we have lived and worked for generations. Regarding this specific incident, we quickly identified the responsible driver and served our contractor with a “Do Not Return” notice for the employee involved in the incident, which means the contractor’s employee is permanently barred from any activity related to CNX Resources and its operations. Additionally, we issued a safety alert to all of our trucking vendors and reinforced our zero tolerance policy. Our expectations for contractors and vendors, as well as our employees, are consistently communicated, enforced, and will continue to be emphasized on a regular basis.
Our Appalachia First vision and commitment places local communities at the core of everything we do, and we demand that every employee and contractor of CNX Resources abide by our core value of responsibility to the community in every decision and every action.
We will use this unfortunate incident as an opportunity to reinforce our safety culture, while continuing to educate our employees, vendors, and contractors on the critical importance they play in the work we do and our relationship with our local communities.
You can rest assured that our attention to safety and compliance will never be compromised, and that any incident that deviates from that commitment will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately in accordance with our values.
Our Operations and Community Relations teams are available 24/7, and we encourage anyone with questions or concerns about our operations to reach out to us either via email at communityrelations@cnx.com or by phone at 724-485-4998.
Related Articles
An Open Letter to Our Communities Across Appalachia
By Nav Behl, Chief Operating Officer
Recently, a video was released on social media that revealed a vendor of CNX Resources engaging in unsafe driving practices in Greene County, Pennsylvania.
Let us be completely clear–we do not tolerate unsafe behavior by any employee or contractor of CNX Resources, and we took immediate action to address this situation.
At CNX, our core values dictate that safety can never be compromised. We have zero tolerance for unsafe behavior in the communities where we have lived and worked for generations. Regarding this specific incident, we quickly identified the responsible driver and served our contractor with a “Do Not Return” notice for the employee involved in the incident, which means the contractor’s employee is permanently barred from any activity related to CNX Resources and its operations. Additionally, we issued a safety alert to all of our trucking vendors and reinforced our zero tolerance policy. Our expectations for contractors and vendors, as well as our employees, are consistently communicated, enforced, and will continue to be emphasized on a regular basis.
Our Appalachia First vision and commitment places local communities at the core of everything we do, and we demand that every employee and contractor of CNX Resources abide by our core value of responsibility to the community in every decision and every action.
We will use this unfortunate incident as an opportunity to reinforce our safety culture, while continuing to educate our employees, vendors, and contractors on the critical importance they play in the work we do and our relationship with our local communities.
You can rest assured that our attention to safety and compliance will never be compromised, and that any incident that deviates from that commitment will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately in accordance with our values.
Our Operations and Community Relations teams are available 24/7, and we encourage anyone with questions or concerns about our operations to reach out to us either via email at communityrelations@cnx.com or by phone at 724-485-4998.
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New Documentary Showcases CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Graduating high school students from urban and rural areas of Appalachia are stepping into a new world of opportunities thanks to CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy. Founded by Nick Deiuliis, President and Chief Executive Officer of CNX Resources, the Mentorship Academy prepares 11th and 12th graders from communities throughout the region to become impactful citizens, workers and family members through transformative learning, community engagement and leadership development. During the 2023 Academy graduation, students, program partners, mentors and CNX leaders sat down with the Digital Wildcatters to discuss the program, and how it has transformed student opportunities for the future.
In October of 2023, the Mentorship Academy was recognized at the “Magic of Mentoring” dinner – alongside the Heyward House and the Consortium for Public Education – as an organization deeply committed to championing the region’s youth. This video shows how the academy isn’t just about education – it’s about collaboratively opening doors and reshaping the future together.
Learn more about Mentorship Academy initiatives and progress by watching the film:
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New Documentary Showcases CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Graduating high school students from urban and rural areas of Appalachia are stepping into a new world of opportunities thanks to CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy. Founded by Nick Deiuliis, President and Chief Executive Officer of CNX Resources, the Mentorship Academy prepares 11th and 12th graders from communities throughout the region to become impactful citizens, workers and family members through transformative learning, community engagement and leadership development. During the 2023 Academy graduation, students, program partners, mentors and CNX leaders sat down with the Digital Wildcatters to discuss the program, and how it has transformed student opportunities for the future.
In October of 2023, the Mentorship Academy was recognized at the “Magic of Mentoring” dinner – alongside the Heyward House and the Consortium for Public Education – as an organization deeply committed to championing the region’s youth. This video shows how the academy isn’t just about education – it’s about collaboratively opening doors and reshaping the future together.
Learn more about Mentorship Academy initiatives and progress by watching the film:
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Preserving Appalachian Wetlands and Offsetting Ecological Losses
Above photo: Aerial Imagery of Blacksville mitigation bank boundary (white boundary) and surrounding land
By Dan Bitz, CNX Director of Surface Asset Strategy
Look out your window; what do you see? Unless you’re on a boat, you probably see some version of land – one of the most valuable resources the world has to offer. Whether urban, rural or something in-between, land is the key ingredient for any type of residential, commercial or industrial development. Unfortunately, what exists now is very close to what will exist 1,000 years from now. Because of the quantifiable limit of existing land and the need for it to support many uses, the market value of land continues to rise, and so does its ecological value.
As long-time land stewards in Appalachia, our commitment to this region led the CNX team to explore stream and wetland mitigation bank development opportunities across Pennsylvania, beginning with Blacksville.
Background on Mitigation Banks
In the United States, the federal government, via the Army Corp of Engineers, administers a program to offset ecological losses that occur to streams and wetlands called ‘stream and wetland mitigation banking.’ Developers of all types face criticism for land and water disturbance (from road and housing construction to industrial development), but relocating is not always an option. There are many places in the U.S. where water resources occupy a large percentage of the landscape, making development virtually impossible without stream and wetland mitigation banking. Stream and Wetland Mitigation Banking requires a developer who impacts a stream or wetland to offset that impact through the purchase or creation of credits. The credits are developed (often by a third party, but in some cases by the actual developer) through the re-establishment, restoration or enhancement of high-quality stream and wetland systems, and through the perpetual protection of these restored systems. The credits created should be close to, or within the same watershed or drainage area as the impacts.
Developing a stream and wetland mitigation bank was a no-brainer for CNX as it already facilitates development across all types of Appalachian industries while at the same time developing and protecting unique ecosystems.
Course of Action
In August of 2024, CNX entered into a Joint Venture with Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP) to develop stream and wetland mitigation banks in portions of Pennsylvania. CNX has the benefit of owning tens of thousands surface acres in PA, with many being prime candidates for stream and wetland mitigation banking. EIP is a leading mitigation bank developer that specializes in large-scale ecological restoration projects across the country and has over 17 years of experience aligning economic development with high-quality environmental restoration outcomes.
By leveraging their collective mitigation banking experience and existing assets, EIP and CNX aim to provide high-quality stream and wetland mitigation credits to enable the responsible development of Pennsylvania industries while creating lasting environmental benefits. In concert with project engineer and environmental consultant Alliance Consulting, the Blacksville Mitigation Bank was brought from concept plan to credit release through thoughtful and collaborative design techniques that maximize the longevity of the rehabilitated stream system. The engineering, design, construction and implementation of the Blacksville project elevates stream and wetland mitigation banking to a higher standard thanks to close coordination with regulatory authorities.
Through the stream and wetland mitigation project, approximately 160 acres will be perpetually protected and returned to its original condition.
The Blacksville Mitigation Bank creates 21,805 linear feet (4+ miles) of stream credits and 17.94 acres of wetland credits. The credits are located within Pennsylvania service area 19 (Monongahela River basin), with primary counties including Washington, Greene, Fayette, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Somerset, Indiana, Armstrong and Cambria counties.
The Blacksville project received final permit authorizations in July of 2024, and will have first credit issuance in Q3 of 2024. The Blacksville property itself has a long history of impacts and uses, and will now be re-established as a 160-acre conservation area. From early farming that cleared the landscape, to mining activities that occurred through the end of the 20th century, the property impacts are evident, and through the stream and wetland mitigation project, approximately 160 acres will be perpetually protected and returned to its original condition.

Our Land is Your Land
Beyond the Blacksville bank, CNX is working to design and develop additional mitigation banks, as determined by market conditions. With the entry of an energy company into the stream/wetland credit creation market, the EIP-CNX partnership and associated project represent a positive change in the accepted standard of mitigation bank development in PA, enabling high-quality credits for fair prices
For information on purchasing stream and wetland mitigation credits, contact Kevin Roush, Assistant Director of Business Development at Ecosystem Investment Partners, at kevin@ecosystempartners.com.
Officially launched in 2021, CNX New Technologies develops proprietary technology and nature-based solutions for vertical and horizontal business growth, which are rooted in the company’s extensive legacy asset base, intellectual assets, and innovative tradition. The group is actively developing and marketing a plethora of nature-based projects, while creating low carbon intensity energy solutions.
Read more:
Short Duration Spikes
By Carrie Crumpton, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy
In just nine months, the air quality monitoring portion of the Radical TransparencyTM program has expanded to include 11 well pads and 3 compressor stations, with more coming soon. Since the start of the program, over 100,000 data points have been collected and displayed here on the website, providing an in-depth look at the air quality status at our sites. That is a LOT of data coming in!
When viewing the air quality monitoring data feeds, you may notice occasional anomalies on the PM2.5 graphs, such as temporary spikes or disruptions in the data. When those anomalies show up real-time, CNX personnel work diligently to understand the conditions on and around our monitored locations that may be causing these variances.
These anomalies are identified on the PM2.5 hourly graph that you see on the website with a note that provides additional context.
Hey Carrie, what do you mean by “short duration spike?”
You may have seen context that says, “short duration spike,” “loss of communications,” or “instrument maintenance.” These descriptions provide a quick snapshot of the site conditions that we found when we looked into certain variances in the real-time data. Let’s take a deeper look at what could be happening on the sites when anomalies are showing up in the data.
If you need a quick review about PM2.5, the very first edition of Context Corner is a great place to start!
Temporary spikes in hourly PM2.5 are often labeled with “short duration spike,” because the increase in PM2.5 concentration is not from a continuing source and lasts for a brief period of time. At our monitoring locations, these spikes can often be attributed to temporary dust from unpaved roadways and construction or exhaust from combustion sources, including fixed and mobile equipment that may be on our sites at any given time.
Understanding what contributes to increased PM2.5 concentrations helps CNX continuously improve and take preventative steps to reduce these occurrences, such as increasing dust control and limiting idling of vehicles.
Sometimes factors outside of our operations can lead to spikes in the data feed, including wildfire smoke and other regional industrial activity. For example, if a wildfire is occurring even hundreds of miles away, as we saw last year with the Canadian fires, and the wind is blowing the smoke toward our sites, the monitors will measure an increased concentration of PM2.5 and the graph will show a spike. Such a spike would be reflected on all three monitors that we display: upwind, downwind, and the PADEP regional monitor, as both regional and on-site air would be impacted by the wildfire smoke.
What happens when the data is disrupted?
On the PM2.5 graphs, “data disruption” can look like a gap in the data where the concentration is measuring zero for an extended period of time, meaning the monitor has ceased collecting data for some reason. These gaps can be caused by power outages affecting the site, maintenance being performed on the monitors, or some other loss of communication between the monitor and data collection applications. Gaps lasting over half of a day, are noted and contextualized on the website.
Through the Radical TransparencyTM program, CNX provides unabridged, real-time data, so when the monitors go down, you will see it (and keep in mind that this data is provided simultaneously to the PADEP, so they will see it too). What you will also see is a quick response to get the monitors back up and running, and to continue providing real-time data to our community and stakeholders. With added context to temporary spikes and data disruptions, over 100,000 data points from 14 sites are available and ready for your viewing. Hope you take a look!
If you have any questions, submit them here.
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Initial Results are in: Radical Public-Private Collaboration Demonstrating CNX Natural Gas Development Poses No Public Health Risks
by Hayley Scott, CNX Chief Risk Officer
Executive Summary
CNX Resources Corporation, through an agreement with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the state Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), established its Radical TransparencyTM program to provide a source of factual information and recorded environmental data on the impact of natural gas operations in Pennsylvania. Such data is intended to provide the concrete, objective knowledge the public seeks regarding impacts on human health from the natural gas industry, and to inform future public policy decisions in the Commonwealth with accurate, real-time data collected by an independent, accredited third party, and made available simultaneously to CNX, PADEP, and the public.
The Problem
Unfounded accusations and innuendo drive current popular narratives regarding the potential health impacts of responsible natural gas development. The agendas of those ideologically or financially opposed to progress and development have pointed to ambiguous and suspect statistics to goal-seek to their desired conclusions. This results in policy lines being drawn based on speculation, emotion, fear, and ideology instead of objective facts and data. At CNX, we believe this business-as-usual state of play must change.
What We Have Measured and Reported
CNX has been monitoring emissions at production pads and midstream stations since November 2023 after the launch of its Radical TransparencyTM program. CNX began monitoring and providing transparent real-time data to all stakeholders on air quality, waste monitoring and water quality. As of August 1st, 2024, over 101,000 data measurements have been collected and reported to PADEP and posted on our Radical TransparencyTM website since the inception of the Radical TransparencyTM program. That tally grows by the hour, daily.
The attached report analyzes air monitoring data, subject to quality assurance and quality control protocols, for two of our continuously monitored unconventional gas well pads, comprised of data recording particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) concentrations, and continuous recording of air samples for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (or “BTEX compounds”). We have compared the PM2.5 results to data reported by the regional air quality monitoring network maintained by the PADEP and the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and compared BTEX results to established health-based standards, such as Minimum Risk Levels (MRLs) for inhalation exposure, as appropriate.
The Results
The results demonstrate that emissions from CNX’s responsible natural gas development fall well below science-based air quality standards that are designed to protect the public from negative health effects resulting from emission of PM2.5 (asthma) and BTEX (cancer). There have been no sustained levels of any significance of PM2.5 or BTEX at these sites during any phase of development.
- PM2.5 concentrations were (i) below NAAQS levels at all sites and (ii) well below levels observed within regional urban environments.
- Measured concentrations of BTEX are well below minimum risk levels at all sites.
While other studies have used loose statistical associations based on data collected miles from gas operating sites, CNX’s Radical TransparencyTM program collects on-site data (500’ perimeter to the well bore), which is the most concentrated reading available as emissions decrease with distance due to dispersion.
Path Forward on Radical Transparency
These objective, measured data cast doubt and raise concern about the validity of the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) study that was released in August 2023 that purported to link natural gas development to negative public health outcomes in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Further, these results and the consequential doubts they raise with respect to the Pitt study should raise concerns among the local medical and environmental community as to the actual cause of exacerbated asthma and childhood cancers reported in the study area that some previously wrongly attributed to the natural gas industry. The observed results indicate that if Pennsylvania citizens are becoming sick at higher rates than elsewhere, then we must look elsewhere to understand the causation and remedy. If it is the health of Pennsylvanians that such groups advocate for and not merely opposition to the natural gas industry, it is time for the medical and environmental organizations who focus on these matters to step up and work toward a real solution.
Conclusion
As demonstrated by the data in the attached report, CNX’s natural gas operations do not emit levels of emissions that cross well-established human health thresholds set by the EPA. Indeed, the data in the attached report demonstrate that emissions from natural gas development and production are consistent with ambient readings, are better than NAAQS standards, and are significantly lower than those observed in urban environments.
CNX will continue to monitor its operating sites and expand the number of well pads and midstream stations as its operations progress. As of this writing, CNX is reporting air quality monitoring at 11 active unconventional gas well pads and two compressor stations, a number which will grow until the Radical TransparencyTM program covers all unconventional CNX operations. CNX also intends to supplement the scope of data that we are collecting and transparently sharing as the program matures, in addition to the measurements we are currently collecting and publishing which includes PM2.5, BTEX, chemical additives, water quality, radiation, and methane leak detection information. All our observations and analysis to date lead us to expect that the data will support and reinforce the conclusions reported here – that CNX responsible natural gas development operations are not a threat to human health. In addition, CNX is also collaborating with PA DEP to provide it with unprecedented access to two future, to-be-constructed CNX well sites, allowing for in-depth independent monitoring of the air emissions at both locations before, during, and after the development of the new wells.
This Radical TransparencyTM data is vitally important to community members, industry regulators, and healthcare providers. Pennsylvania policy should follow the measured data, which indicates that there is no need for additional setbacks or other restrictions that go beyond what is already one of the most robust regulatory regimes in the entire nation.
Any future studies by any entity or organization should now reference actual data – not loose statistics molded to infer vague associations.
We’re proud that our collaboration with Governor Shapiro is helping to ensure that facts, data, and impartiality inform public policy decisions in the Commonwealth. Radical TransparencyTM has and will continue to benefit all stakeholders, most importantly residents and the environment in which we all live. We are committed to expanding this program across the Commonwealth and across the industry to ensure that the vast benefits of the natural gas industry can continue to be realized by all stakeholders across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Radical TransparencyTM Air Monitoring Results

Background
Grand Jury Report
A Grand Jury investigation into the natural gas industry in 2020 found evidence that some natural gas companies were operating in a manner that endangered public health and safety after they heard testimony from Pennsylvanians who believed that their health issues were a result of fracking happening near their homes. These citizens and their doctors did not have the concrete data to enable them to determine what was making them and/or their children sick. The Grand Jury laid out several recommendations, including finding the appropriate distance between wells and homes, schools, and hospitals and requiring disclosure of all chemicals used in the drilling process.
The report reinforced that the public has real questions about the natural gas industry and that we need to provide more facts and more data so that we can all ensure that we have the appropriate protections in place. In response, the state provided funding to commission a study on the health impacts of natural gas development.
Pitt Study
In August 2023, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) released the results of its studies on the public health impacts of natural gas development in southwestern Pennsylvania. The studies left much to be desired and suffered from fatal design flaws.
The studies failed to find a causation that would link natural gas development to health problems. The findings found very weak associations of natural gas development on two discrete health issues.
In statistics, it is important to differentiate between ‘association’ and ‘causation.’ Two variables may be associated without a causal relationship. For example, there is a classic example of correlation where both ice cream sales and shark attacks peak in the summer; however, we can all discern that ice cream consumption does not cause shark attacks, nor do shark attacks lead to increased ice cream sales.
Causation means that the exposure produces the effect. The real cause of both ice cream sales and shark attacks peaking in the summer is the warm weather, which drives more people to buy ice cream to cool down and/or head to the beach to swim.
The Pitt studies found no causation from unconventional shale development to any of the health risks studied. Rather, researchers stretched to find two associations using skewed measurements, atypical definitions, and not attempting to account for key environmental and other factors that have proven demonstrable impacts on health.
The studies relied on a very limited proximity metric, which doesn’t identify any exposure pathways, assumes constant emissions, and ignores critical factors like weather, work, air dispersion, lifestyle choices, and known existing hazards. In addition, the studies assumed all natural gas wells “are created equal.”
Indeed, the researchers acknowledged, “No evidence was found to support an association between exposures to [natural gas] activities and other environmental factors and the risk of leukemia, [central nervous system] tumors, and malignant bone tumors, including [Ewing’s Family of Tumors].” An extremely low lymphoma association correlation was found, underscoring the limited methodologies employed.
Asthma exacerbations were not linked with proximity to wells in pad preparation, drilling, or hydraulic fracturing phases, regardless of how close wells were to homes or the number of wells nearby. Curiously, the only association claimed was to the natural gas “production” phase, after a gas well is turned in line and starts flowing natural gas, when little to no activity occurs on the pad, and emissions are minimal.
Ironically, Pitt’s own data on asthma in western Pennsylvania show a 50% decline in severe asthma cases between 2014 and 2020, even as natural gas production in the study region increased by over 200%. Across the study period, air quality in the Western Pennsylvania region has generally improved, with PM2.5 particulate matter, an asthma trigger, declining in the eight-county study area to well below NAAQS (EPA). Reviewing the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s “Most Challenging Places to Live with Asthma” informs that no region (including Pittsburgh) with natural gas development falls in the top 20, but Philadelphia, Allentown, and Harrisburg each do.
The Pitt study found child birthweights where mothers live close to natural gas facilities remain in the normal healthy range and have no association with other adverse birth outcomes. The average birthweight was within the national average of 2400-4000 grams, and the greatest reduction in birthweight associated with natural gas well exposure was only 0.8% below the average, still well within healthy ranges. The researchers pointed out this “poses little health risks.” Interestingly, the odds of preterm birth were higher for those living with no natural gas activity near the mother’s residence during pregnancy.
Fatal Flaws of the Pitt Studies
The Pitt studies suffer from fundamental limitations in design and methods that, coupled with how the findings were presented to the public, raised anxiety unwarranted by actual data.
Researchers never visited shale gas sites, refused opportunities to do so, didn’t take air or water samples, or generate any new, original data or measurements. Statistical speculation trumped actual measurement.
If the researchers had spent time in the field, they would have seen how natural gas development is safe, well-regulated, and produced here better than anywhere else in the world.
In addition, the researchers relied solely upon statistical models and static locational information. They ignored key influential factors like actual emissions, wind, air dispersion, and weather patterns, not to mention other potential environmental sources of exposure or outdoor hazards.
In a Question-and-Answer document regarding the research studies, the Pennsylvania DOH cautioned: “Establishing cause-effect relationship in environmental studies is very difficult. In many cases, it is also not generally feasible to be able to gather information on or understand all the possible factors that may impact health, such as genetics, other exposures over a lifetime, and lifestyle factors that may impact the health outcome in question.”
Consider the finding of an association of natural gas development to lymphoma (0.006%-0.0084% association between diagnosis and well location) and no association with other cancers, including Ewing Sarcoma. The researchers primarily relied on the relation of the disease and how close sufferers lived to a fracking facility. Because data was limited to information found on birth certificates, the studies wrongfully assumed people lived at the same address for up to 29 years, while ignoring daily travel to locations like schools and workplaces. Such an approach would be laughable if it were not for the serious issues at hand.
The researchers admit the cancer study did not adequately account for variables the American Cancer Society lists as common lymphoma causes. These include genetic predisposition, infection, and exposure to radiation (such as the Canonsburg, Pennsylvania uranium waste facility where government monitoring has shown higher radiation levels).
The asthma assessment suffered from similar methodology flaws, failing to account for known asthma triggers including indoor and outdoor air pollutants, and refusing to present this data to the public. Nor did Pitt researchers explain why they labeled all asthma cases as “severe” when the standard in medical studies is to categorize asthma cases as mild, moderate, and severe. Without explanation, Pitt’s study breaks from medical research norms by labelling all levels of asthma as “severe”.
The asthma data were limited to information found in medical records. Meaning that while smoking status was accounted for, a child’s exposure to secondhand smoke was not. Other known asthma triggers that were ignored, as identified by the CDC, include indoor and outdoor air pollutants, dust mites, mold, and pests. This leaves a huge gap in the potential other external factors that are known to trigger and exacerbate asthma.
Path Forward
CNX determined that a sensible path forward existed that would remove the emotion, guesswork, speculation, and innuendo of these flawed studies and replace them with certainty, transparency, measured data, and real-time monitoring. With the launch of CNX’s Radical TransparencyTM program in November 2023, we began pushing the regulatory state of the art by measuring and reporting data to provide the solid, objective knowledge the public seeks and to inform policymakers with accurate real data when setting policy and standards.
The specific components of the Radical TransparencyTM program can be categorized in the arenas of Air Quality, Water Monitoring, Chemicals, and Waste.
In the arena of Air Quality:
- For any unconventional gas wells or compressor stations, continuous monitoring of PM2.5 concentrations and continuous collection of air samples for VOC analysis for characterizing long-term average concentrations during all phases of well pad development and well production, including six months of monitoring during the production phase.
- Data collected is being shared publicly in real time on our company website at CNX Radical TransparencyTM
- All data is collected by and reviewed for quality assurance by a qualified third party, Clean Air Engineering, whose activities are governed by their Ambient Monitoring Quality Management Plan (QMP), which details their quality control program for ambient air quality monitoring services. The QMP was audited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2017, and the company was approved for the operation of State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) as a Primary Quality Assurance Organization. All data is provided unabridged directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and to CNX Resources.
In the arena of Water Monitoring:
- Expanded pre-drill water survey for private residential drinking water supplies (wells and springs) to within 2,500 ft of a vertical unconventional well bore, centralized large volume storage tank battery, or centralized impoundment.
- The pre-drill survey includes at least four samples taken seasonally/quarterly ahead of drilling activity to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of groundwater quality ahead of natural gas activity. While private well/spring owners are not required to participate in this groundwater survey, those who do will be provided with copies of all analyses within 10 days of the receipt of the results by the operator and may elect to include their results anonymously in a broader public database.
- After well turn-in-line, at least four samples taken seasonally/quarterly are collected on private wells/springs to compare to pre-drill conditions, with the same election options for including in a broader public database.
- In addition to the pre- and post-drill samples, operators collect similar pre- and post-drill seasonal upgradient and downgradient samples of the nearest streams receiving surface run-off.
In the arena of Chemicals:
- Disclosure to the public of chemicals anticipated to be utilized during drilling and fracking ahead of operations, including chemicals used in mixtures protected as trade secrets.
In the arena of Waste:
- Publish Comprehensive Radiation Protection Plans and the results of the program’s annual self-assessment including any unanticipated action items resulting from findings. Provide transparent reporting of test results.
Air Quality Study
Air quality monitoring was initiated in November 2023 on a new production pad, NV110, located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The program has since expanded to other production pads, in various phases of development (construction, drilling, completions, and production) and midstream stations. The monitoring includes continuous measurement of PM2.5 and BTEX compounds by a qualified third party, Clean Air Engineering.
PM2.5
Produced from the combustion of diesel fuel, smoke from fires, fossil fuels, and various everyday sources such as unpaved roadways and farm fields, PM2.5 is a fine particulate matter with an average diameter of 2.5 micrometers (μm). Clean Air Engineering has installed and is maintaining instrumentation to perform measurements following the Federal Reference Methodology established by the EPA. Two air quality monitors have been installed, one upwind and another downwind of each monitoring site. Hourly and average daily PM2.5 concentration data are reported and compared to the same period data reported by the regional air quality monitoring network maintained by the PADEP and PM2.5 NAAQS. Clean Air Engineering makes the collected data available to both the PADEP and CNX through their secure, cloud-based data server, and CNX displays the data in real time on its Radical Transparency website.
Meteorological data
Each site includes an integrated meteorological measurement system to record wind speed and wind direction, via a compact sonic anemometer. Wind and other meteorological data are recorded on a local data logger and transmitted to Clean Air Engineering’s secure environmental data management platform for easy access and visualization.
VOCs – BTEX
Natural gas may contain low levels of various volatile organic compounds (VOC), including some listed on the EPA’s list of Air Toxics. Chief among these, given its increased risk factor and prevalence, is benzene, which is present in all biogenic fuels, even firewood. To determine the impact of natural gas operations on VOC levels, Clean Air Engineering incorporated sampling via EPA Reference Method 325, which has been established to measure VOC in air by exposing sample tubes to air for a period of 14 days. The samples are analyzed for BTEX compounds, which are absorbed by the material within the sampling tube. Results are compared to established health-based standards of Minimum Risk Levels (MRLs) for inhalation exposure.
Study Design
For this project, there are two monitoring station locations for the measurement of PM2.5 for each project site, one in the direction of the prevailing winds (BAM-2, downwind location) and one in the direction the prevailing winds are coming from (BAM-1, upwind location).
Additionally, four passive samplers are installed to sample for BTEX at each site. BTEX samplers are located within a separate quadrant around each site. The quadrant selection is guided by seasonal prevailing winds with one quadrant representing approximate upwind and another the approximate downwind conditions at each site. These monitors and samplers are complemented by one meteorological measurement system per site.
Sampling and Monitoring Site Selection
Site selection of this monitoring program follows EPA sighting guidelines to the best extent practical. Monitor/sampler and meteorological measurement system locations are finalized during a site visit before monitor/sampler installation and onsite commissioning.
Considerations made when selecting an appropriate siting location for each monitor include:
- Prevailing wind direction,
- Property boundaries,
- Topography,
- Local obstructions,
- Distance to emission sources, and
- Operations.
Monitoring Site Description
Continuous PM2.5 concentration measurement site selection is guided by the prevailing wind direction such that a monitor located on the general upwind side of the site will collect background sample results, on average, and the downwind monitor will provide indications of any PM2.5 increase that can be attributed to emissions from sources at the site. As such, the PM2.5 monitors have been set 500 feet from the wellheads, where space allows.
A 10-meter-tall aluminum tower is installed at a third location (Meteorological Station) to support meteorological sensors.
BTEX passive samplers are located at four sites around the fenceline of each site with one sampler collocated with each PM2.5 monitor. The inlets of each continuous PM2.5 monitor and BTEX sampler are installed within the breathing zone.
Monitoring Equipment
PM2.5
The Met One Instruments Model BAM-1022 Continuous PM2.5 Monitoring System was selected for this project. The BAM-1022 uses beta ray attenuation to accurately measure and report the concentration of airborne particulate matter in ambient air by drawing air through a size-selective inlet and depositing the particulate on a filter tape that is located between the beta source and a detector. The degree of beta-ray attenuation is used to determine the mass of particulate matter deposited on the filter tape. The BAM-1022 calculates ambient PM2.5 concentrations based on the sampling flow rate and the PM2.5 mass deposited on the filter tape. The BAM-1022 is designated a Class III Federal Equivalent Method (FEM) when configured for 1-hour average measurements of PM2.5 using a glass fiber filter tape roll and a precisely controlled sample flow rate of 16.67 lpm.
The measurement cycle of the BAM-1022 is approximately one hour with a gap of one minute between measurements; however, given that the measurement occurs continuously while the PM2.5 mass accumulates on the filter tape, hourly results can be supplemented with shorter-term data that can be used for data trending purposes. For this project, the short-term concentration data period is set to 60 minutes, i.e., the instrument reports a 1-hour rolling average that is updated every five minutes starting at the end of the first sampling hour and until the sample is stopped.
EPA Method 325A/B Passive Sorbent Trap Sampler
The BTEX samplers consist of a sorbent trap that is suspended within a plastic cap to provide cover from the elements. The sorbent trap is designed to maintain a constant uptake rate for the target compounds via the use of a diffusion cap attached to each sorbent trap for the 14-day sampling duration. Each sorbent trap is suspended from a tripod to collect ambient air at the approximate breathing height of 2 meters.
Meteorological Measurement System
Each site is equipped with a sonic anemometer (wind speed and wind direction) that is mounted atop a 10-meter-tall aluminum tower of either telescoping round, tapering-tube, or open-frame design. The tower base is firmly secured to the ground.
A weatherproof AutoMet data logger designed to accept a variety of standard Met One Instruments and other sensors records direct measurements of wind speed and wind direction.
Monitoring Sites
Since the initial November 2023 installation at the NV110 well pad, CNX has installed monitoring equipment on ten additional well pads, as outlined in Table 1. Well pad installations are added when a previously unmonitored location initiates a new phase of development. For example, a well pad with newly drilled wells will undergo monitoring installation immediately before the start of hydrofracturing, or a newly constructed well pad will receive a monitoring equipment installation before drilling is initiated on the pad. From the date of installation, monitoring has or will continue to include all following development stages and extend through at least six months of production.
CNX is also installing monitoring equipment on midstream facilities. To date, two compressor stations are outfitted with monitoring equipment. Additional midstream facilities are being outfitted for monitoring through the summer of 2024. CNX plans to maintain the monitoring equipment on these locations, indefinitely.

Results
To date, the NV110 site has completed monitoring with six months ending on April 27, 2024. The second site added to the project, the MOR9 well pad, received its installation at the start of horizontal drilling activities, continued through the completion stages, and is nearing the end of six months of production monitoring. In this section, we will present the sampling data and summarize results from these initial project sites.
NV110
Monitoring at NV110 was conducted while the well pad was producing natural gas at an average rate of 112,025 thousand standard cubic feet per day (mscfd). The well pad also produced condensate, initially at a rate of 82 barrels per day (bpd), before decreasing to no production, currently. Monitoring equipment is positioned as depicted in Figure 1.

Production equipment on the well pad includes:
- Seven Marcellus shale wells,
- Seven sand separator vessels with blowdowns,
- Seven natural gas-fired gas processing units,
- One high-pressure separator,
- One low-pressure separator,
- Two 400-barrel (bbl) condensate storage tanks,
- Three 400-bbl produced water storage tanks,
- One 400-bbl sand separator blowdown tank,
- Separate truck loading stations for condensate and produced water, and
- Four vapor destruction units, each rated at 12.8 million British thermal units per hour (mmBtu/hr) heat input, for vapor emission control from storage tanks and separators.
PM2.5
The two PM2.5 monitors were in operation for 97.8% of the sampling period. In contrast, EPA monitoring standards for compliance assessment require an availability of 75% data completeness and CNX’s QAPP limit of 80%.
The average hourly PM2.5 concentrations were 4.4 μg/m3 and 5.3 μg/m3 for BAM1 and BAM2, respectively. The concentrations were slightly above the monitors’ respective detection limits of 3.91 μg/m3 and 4.75 μg/m3. Figure 2 displays the hourly trends of concentrations for the two monitors. Throughout the sample period, CNX trended these data points against those from the PADEP Holbrook monitoring site, which is located 17.4 miles south-southeast of the BAM1 monitor. As seen in Figure 2, hourly BAM concentrations trended well with the Holbrook monitor and presented a few short-term occasions where the BAM concentrations exceeded those of the Holbrook monitor.

Figure 3 presents the distribution of hourly readings showing similar results between the NV110 readings and the PADEP Holbrook site.

The hourly measurements are used to generate daily 24-hour averages, which are compared to the NAAQS of 35 μg/m3. As shown in Figure 4, in all cases, data from NV110 remained below the daily NAAQS.

BTEX
BTEX results were compared to acute Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) for inhalation exposure, which were developed jointly by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and EPA to designate the relative level of exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse non-cancer health effects over a specified duration of exposure. CNX conducted BTEX sampling for 14-day periods per sample, allowing us to compare our results against the acute impact levels. The MRLs are as follows in Table 2.

To increase the likelihood of collecting accurate samples, BTEX samplers were positioned at each BAM sampling site and in the two quadrants 90 degrees from the BAM sites so that four samples were collected simultaneously. Of the 14 and 14-day samples collected, no sample concentration approached the MRL, and only benzene was consistently reported at levels exceeding the analytical minimum reporting limit for the compounds (typically around 0.12 ppb). Figure 5 provides a chart that presents the results for each of the 14 samples.
By comparison, the measured benzene concentrations were not only well below the MRL but when compared to the recently published National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) for Coke Ovens, the benzene was below the action level of 0.9 ppb for coke oven facility fenceline monitoring.

MOR9
The MOR9 well pad was initially drilled in 2011 when four wells were turned inline. Two additional wells were drilled in 2014. In 2023, CNX returned to the well pad to drill four new wells. Monitoring was initiated with the horizontal drilling phase on November 13, 2023, and continued through the hydrofracturing, drill-out, and flowback stages of development. MOR9 is currently undergoing the six-month production period evaluation that started on April 8, 2024 and is slated to end on October 8, 2024.
The wells on this pad produce only natural gas from the Marcellus and Burket shale formations. The current natural gas production rate is 94,435 mscfd. Monitoring equipment is positioned as depicted in Figure 6.

Production equipment at this site includes:
- Eight Marcellus shale wells,
- Two Burket shale wells,
- Ten sand separator vessels with blowdowns,
- Ten natural gas-fired gas processing units,
- Four 400-bbl produced water storage tanks,
- One 400-bbl sand separator blowdown tank,
- One produced water truck loading station, and
- One vapor destruction unit rated at 12.8 million mmBtu/hr heat input, for storage tank vapor emission control.
PM2.5
The PM2.5 monitors have been operating for 96.6% of the sampling period, providing a data completeness rate that exceeded the EPA requirement of 75% availability and CNX’s QAPP limit of 80%. The average hourly PM2.5 concentrations, by development stage, are presented in Table 3.

The BAM1 and BAM2 respective detection limits were determined to be 4.1 μg/m3 and 4.4 μg/m3. Figure 7 displays the hourly trends of concentrations for the two monitors. Throughout the sample period, CNX trended these data points against those from the PADEP Holbrook monitoring site that is located 12 miles south-southeast of the MOR9 Well Pad. MOR9 hourly BAM concentrations trended well with the Holbrook monitor and presented a few short-term occasions where the MOR9 concentrations exceeded those of the Holbrook monitor.

Figure 8 presents the distribution of MOR9 and Holbrook hourly readings showing MOR9 results, which are slightly lower, on average, than those from the PADEP Holbrook site.

The hourly measurements are used to generate daily 24-hour averages, which are compared to the NAAQS of 35 μg/m3. As shown in Figure 9, data from MOR9 remained below the daily NAAQS for the duration of sampling.

BTEX
As with NV110, CNX conducted BTEX sampling for 14-day periods per sample, allowing us to compare our results against the acute impact levels. Through May 31, 2024, 13, 14-day sample sets were collected, none were at a level that approached the MRLs, and only benzene was consistently reported at levels exceeding the analytical minimum reporting limit for the compounds, with an overall average of 0.19 ppb (MRL = 9 ppb; Coke Oven NESHAPS = 0.9 ppb). Figure 10 provides a chart that presents the results for each of the 13 samples.

Discussion
Through the course of this program, CNX has been observing the data with an eye toward potential impacts on the health of the environment, our communities, and our employees. The data from these first two sites are showing that, even within 500-feet of development activities and production of a natural gas well pad, the impacts are far below any published standards or levels of concern for fine particulate matter and BTEX compounds.
At both test sites, the data show PM2.5 results trending with those from the PADEP Holbrook regional PM2.5 monitor. Aside from a few operationally related spikes, the overall concentration of PM2.5 was lower than that measured for the same period at Holbrook.
The results from these well pads and the PADEP site serve to demonstrate the air quality in the rural areas these well pads are located. The results provided in Figures 4 and 9 provide evidence that unconventional natural gas well development and production contribute little to no fine particulate matter to the local air quality, as measured at these facilities, regardless of the activity occurring on the well pad.
Our region of operations includes the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, and the question begs, if well drilling and production period PM2.5 concentrations compare well with background measurements from the rurally located Holbrook site, how do concentrations compare to urban areas? To answer this, we compared these results, measurements taken 500 feet from sites having shale gas development and production activities to the measurements collected in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Lawrenceville, which is the site of the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Air Quality Program offices and serves as a monitoring site for PM2.5 and other pollutants. The site also includes HAP monitoring devices, which report data as an EPA National Air Toxic Trends Station (NATTS). The Lawrenceville Station is positioned near the geographic center of Allegheny County. It is 36 miles northeast of the NV110 well pad and only five city blocks from the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
In the most recent annual report from 2022, published in December 2023, the ACHD reported an annual PM2.5 concentration of 8.4 μg/m3 with a maximum 24-hour average of 21.8 μg/m3. The annual report does not include hourly readings; however, the hourly data can be retrieved from the ACHD website. CNX plotted the daily average data calculated from the hourly data against the daily average data from NV110 and MOR9 finding the short-term exposure rates at the Lawrenceville site were significantly higher in all but a few readings during the period of monitoring at the two well pads.
The PM2.5 results displayed in Figures 11 and 12 include comparisons for data starting with the initiation of monitoring at the NV110 site on October 27, 2023, and ending on May 31, 2024. Note that MOR9 monitoring was initiated on November 14, 2023, and the NV110 monitoring period ended on April 27, 2024. Overall, concentrations at the well sites are consistently lower than the urban Lawrenceville measurements.


BTEX readings from the well sites were also compared to results from the ACHD Lawrenceville site. As shown in the previous section, BTEX results from the well pads were trivial, with Benzene presenting the only results to exceed the minimum reporting limit. The results from ACHD Lawrenceville are markedly different. The urban setting with higher traffic volumes exposed its higher population to inhalable concentrations of benzene that were 10 to 30 times greater than those encountered near the well pads.
While the Lawrenceville numbers do not exceed the acute (14-day) MRL thresholds, the sources of these pollutants are present every day, and residents of urban communities have a greater tendency to spend more time in their neighborhoods. As such, the chronic (>364 days) exposure MRLs for BTEX compounds, outlined in Table 4 would be more suitable.

While we did not collect a full year of BTEX results at these sites, we can compare the BTEX results to the chronic exposure levels. In Figure 13, we can see that the well pad BTEX results are still far below the levels provided in Table 4.





ACHD Lawrenceville results are closer to the MRL in all cases. Benzene maintains its concentration very near the limit of 3.0 ppb, even exceeding the MRL in one sample.
Conclusions/Summary
The results show that there have been no increases of any significance of PM2.5 or BTEX at these sites during any phase of development. There are no exceedances of the NAAQS or BTEX levels near the minimum risk levels at the sites (and emissions concentrations reduce with distance due to dispersion). There is no indication that air emissions from natural gas operations have an impact on human health in the over 101,000 data points that we have collected to date.
This data is of significant importance to community members, industry regulators, and healthcare providers. Pennsylvania policy should follow the measured data, which indicates that there is no need for additional setbacks or other restrictions that go beyond what is already one of the most robust regulatory regimes in the entire nation.
Any future studies by any entity or organization should now reference actual data – not loose data scrubbed to infer associations.
CNX will continue to monitor its operating sites and expand in the number of well pads and midstream stations (currently we report on 11 unconventional gas well pads and two compressor stations), as well as the scope of data that we are collecting and transparently sharing (we are currently providing PM2.5, BTEX, chemical additives, water quality, radiation, and methane leak detection information). This data continues to further reinforce the conclusions. We’re proud of our collaboration with Governor Shapiro to ensure that facts, data, and impartiality inform public policy decisions in the Commonwealth. Radical TransparencyTM has and will continue to benefit all stakeholders, most importantly residents and the environment. We are committed to expanding this program across the Commonwealth and across the industry to ensure that the vast benefits of the natural gas industry can continue to be realized by all stakeholders across Pennsylvania and beyond.
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Methane Monitoring FAQ’s
By Carrie Crumpton, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy
I hope you have had a chance to look at our new Methane Monitoring page on our Radical Transparency program website. We’re leading the industry when it comes to methane transparency, and this includes a new interactive methane emissions graph and lots of in-depth and timely information about our methane leak monitoring, detection, and repair program. With lots of new information comes lots of questions, so I wanted to help answer some for you!
Hey Carrie, isn’t methane natural gas?
Methane is a gaseous chemical compound that has 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms (CH4). Methane can be emitted by many sources including wetlands, landfills, agricultural processes, oil and gas industries, volcanoes, and even cockroaches.
Natural gas is a naturally occurring mixture that is primarily made of methane, but can contain very small amounts of other compounds. Think of it as a recipe where methane is the main ingredient in natural gas.
Why is methane in the news all the time as a greenhouse gas?
Greenhouse gases are gases that can trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to environmental impacts. The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.
Greenhouse gases and climate change are large topics of discussion that have resulted in many newsworthy global climate initiatives. Taking action to protect the environment is a global, multi-sector effort, and the oil and gas industry is doing their part by reducing methane emissions.
Essentially, we all want to maximize the amount of methane staying in the pipelines and out of the air around us.
What is methane intensity?
At times, our operations result in the release of methane into the atmosphere. Some of the releases are intentional and stem from safety or maintenance situations. There are other times where we experience unintentional releases from leaking components of the equipment that are used to produce and transport the gas we sell. Methane intensity is a measurement of the amount of methane that is released into the atmosphere stated as a percentage of the natural gas we sell. Since methane can have environmental impacts and is the main product of our business, we want to have low methane intensities, meaning that the amount of methane released into the atmosphere is very low compared to the amount of natural gas sold.
Because methane intensity is measured as a percentage, it can be compared across companies and against targets. The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative has a methane intensity target of being well below 0.20% by 2025 for upstream natural gas producers. Producers can compare their methane intensity to this target to see how well they are limiting the release of methane.
In 2023, CNX’s upstream operations methane intensity was over 80% below the 0.20% target, which means that our methane monitoring and reduction programs are working.
What are the new methane charts telling me?
Our methane charts are industry leading in transparency, detail and timeliness of information. The website has lots of information about our emissions reduction program and our diligent work to reduce methane emissions through innovative facility design, improvements in operational practices and procedures, advancements in detecting and measuring emissions and improved accuracy in emissions reporting. One way that we reduce our methane emissions is through our comprehensive leak detection and repair (LDAR) program. If there is an unintended leak, we want to quickly identify and repair it to limit the release of methane.

The interactive graph we added to our methane monitoring page shows you details about our LDAR program including how many repairs we had to make, how long the leaks lasted, how often we are monitoring, and even the location and component that was leaking. These charts are updated monthly so that there is transparent and timely data provided to all of our stakeholders.
At CNX, we are a low methane intensity natural gas producer in the lowest methane intensity basin in the United States, but we won’t stop there – we are continuously working to reduce methane emissions and responsibly develop the domestic energy that is essential to fuel economic growth and improve the quality of life in our communities and beyond.
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How CNX Views the Evolving Energy Landscape
By the CNX Management Team
From ongoing efforts to expand the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane (CMM) to leveraging our engineering innovation, technology, and deep inventory of natural gas assets to revolutionize the CNG and micro-scale LNG industries, CNX is uniquely positioned to capitalize on macro trends emerging across several key sectors of the economy.
We have a somewhat contrarian view versus the common consensus. Sharing our thoughts will provide our owners a clear picture of the long-term CNX value proposition in the rapidly evolving energy landscape.
First, we agree with certain aspects of the common consensus:
- Policy and key sectors of the global economy continue to pursue lower CO2 emissions.
- Policy is mandating an electrification of everything, resulting in unprecedented demand growth for the power grid. The most recent driver of note is the power appetite of data centers fueled by AI technology advancement.
- The ability of wind and solar to deliver uninterruptible, reliable, and low-cost energy at scale to feed the growing grid demand is extremely suspect (to be kind).
- Assessing the situation objectively, natural gas should be the clear winner across energy sources to meet higher energy demand at lower CO2 intensity. The scorecard from the past two decades shows natural gas has delivered both decarbonization and improved grid reliability on a scale that is unprecedented since the advent of the Industrial Revolution.
- The Appalachian basin, specifically the Marcellus and Utica shales, is the premier natural gas deposit on the planet. It is massive, prolific, low cost, close to energy demand centers, and very low in methane intensity.
If the above agreed-upon points comprised the complete analysis and game board, one would rightly conclude that the Appalachian basin is poised to flourish, with energy demand waiting to take on new supply from the basin, and with in-basin pricing being sufficient to warrant additional investment into new supply. In fact, one would have expected these results to have already manifested in current market metrics.
Yet that has not occurred, for years. And we believe it will not occur anytime soon without a shift in the situational assessment of the industry, capital markets, and policy makers.
Why? To boil it down to a singular root cause: ideology and myths driving nonsensical energy policy instead of physics and reality driving sensible policy. The former is what exists currently in developed economies, and it impacts how one assesses the Appalachian basin. And this is where we diverge from the common consensus.
We believe:
- Policy across government (local/state/federal/international) and between an alphabet soup of associated bureaucracies prohibits the smooth allocation of capital into infrastructure necessary to link Appalachian supply to growing grid demand. Endeavors that attempt to navigate the policy roadblocks are met with a coordinated lawfare campaign to strangle them with litigation. The idea of a new pipeline being built to provide Appalachian energy to Boston is logical to the point of ridiculously obvious. But such a pipe will not be allowed to be built in today’s world; it is counter to that ideology that permeates a system from which approval must be secured to proceed.
- Supply from the Appalachian basin is experiencing a step-change evolution with the advent of the deep Utica. CNX has pioneered this horizon, and we see it delivering a new level of supply magnitude (higher) and response time (quicker) for the basin.
- When a basin establishes higher potential supply levels, delivers quicker supply response times, and is artificially bottled-up due to the inability to invest in logical infrastructure, there will be in-basin price consequences. Unless something creates new demand or take-away, a sustained upside for in-basin pricing will remain elusive. In such an environment, only the low-cost producer with astute capital allocation will create value over the long term.
- The industry looks to LNG export as being the answer. However, to unlock the next wave of Appalachian supply, LNG requires more pipes to move our product from basin to coastal LNG terminals. Even setting aside the infrastructure constraints, a true step-change in LNG export capacity is a nonstarter over the next decade due to policy and legal constraints, the most recent example being the LNG permit ‘pause.’
- With new LNG export in flux, many point to growing grid demand to power AI data centers as the answer. After all, such demand in-basin doesn’t require new long-haul pipes or large-scale LNG facilities. But the tech industry who buys the power to feed the data center economy will demand the power come from something that offers a low/net zero CO2 footprint. They don’t want just low-cost and reliable power. They demand low-cost, reliable, and low/net zero CO2 power.
Our holistic analysis of these dynamics creates a different path from the herd. Our path consists of something we didn’t do that everyone else did and something we are doing that no one else is doing.
First, what we didn’t do. It wasn’t that long ago that everyone was touting the wisdom of ‘industrial scale’ and how the strategic imperative was to get bigger in-basin so that a plethora of wonderful synergies would accrue. But when one digests the realities above, a path of in-basin scale doesn’t overcome the fundamental challenges facing supply growth or price, and in many cases only dilutes the per-share value of the acquirer as acquisition prices inflate and promised synergies fail to materialize.
But what did we do instead?
In 2020, we unveiled a differentiated path: our 7-year plan focused on disciplined production and a hyper-focus on growing per-share value rather than absolute scale. We created a free cash flow machine, and it was exactly what circumstances and clinical assessment called for, creating tremendous per-share value for our owners over the long term.
But there is something else afoot, something unique to CNX. Something that will not just create per-share value for owners by shrinking the denominator (share count), but that will also create per-share value over the long term by growing the numerator (free cash flow).
Current industrial and market dynamics explain the opportunity.
There are key industrial sectors of today’s economy that are growing and have an appetite for energy. They are:
- Hydrogen/Inflation Reduction Act (IRA),
- Aviation/Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF),
- Advanced Manufacturing,
- Power Grid/AI Data Centers; and
- Ground/Marine/Heavy Equipment Fleets.
Those looking to provide energy to the above sectors must meet certain criteria. The following ‘boxes’ must be ‘checked’:
- Reliable,
- Uninterruptible,
- Low-cost,
- Short supply chain for both manufacturing of the energy as well as delivery of the energy to the user,
- Ready now, not in 15 years,
- Net zero CO2, and
- Ability to demonstrate no harm to local/regional ecosystems.
None of the touted energy solutions one reads about check all the boxes.
Wind and solar? Disasters with reliability; inherently intermittent; high-cost; extensive, murky supply chains; can’t scale now; egregious life-cycle CO2 footprints; and devastating to local ecosystems, from DR Congo to Xinjiang.
Nuclear? Recent experience is not promising. Ultra-high cost to build, as evidenced by Vogtle; not ready now and will take potentially decades to build.
Natural gas? Many advantages and boxes checked, but one key shortcoming of not net-zero CO2.
So, what energy solutions would check all the boxes? CNX offers a few.
The first is coal mine methane (CMM). As determined by the US Department of Energy GREET Model, CMM is a carbon-negative product that reduces the methane emissions entering the atmosphere. When CMM is custom blended with shale gas from our Marcellus and deep Utica assets, CNX delivers to customers an energy supply with the exact carbon intensity desired. A CMM blend product has a fraction of the cost of new nuclear and offers scalability, reliability, and supply chain benefits that are clearly superior to wind and solar.
But our solutions are not limited to CMM. The technologies now ready for deployment by our New Technologies group allow us to harness the unique high-pressure geobaric characteristics of the deep Utica to manufacture low-cost, low-carbon intensity ZeroHp CNGTM and Microscale LNG (mLNGTM) on-pad. Such a product accesses markets beyond those served by existing natural gas pipelines. When blended with CMM, this product can also meet CO2 intensity levels desired by the customer.
With these products, we are poised to meet the following growing sectors of energy demand:
- Hydrogen/Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – Hydrogen production at scale requires enormous amounts of reliable energy. The IRA was adopted to provide economic incentives to encourage the development of those reliable energy sources to fuel this nascent industry. CNX’s CMM blended with our shale gas is ready-now to provide a net-zero CO2 energy source at scale. This will kickstart hydrogen production across Appalachia.
- Aviation/Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – The creation of SAF to decarbonize aviation has remained elusive as emerging alternatives to existing jet fuels have failed to meet scalability and cost challenges. CNX’s CMM blended with our shale gas provides a net zero CO2 solution for SAF. Our recently announced efforts with project developer Keystate and the Pittsburgh International Airport (“PIT”) are focused on creating the first SAF plant at scale utilizing a CMM blend on-site at PIT.
- Advanced Manufacturing – The re-shoring of American industry coupled with the continued growth in the advanced manufacturing sector creates a robust market for tailored CMM blends and CNG/mLNG energy sources. CNX is partnering with NewLight Technologies to provide CMM as a critical feedstock into their manufacturing process that creates revolutionary, net-zero, biodegradable, plastics-substitute products. Manufacturers looking to decarbonize and de-risk supply chains will follow NewLight’s lead in partnering with CNX.
- Power Grid/AI Data Centers – AI will increase energy demand and Appalachia is uniquely positioned to benefit from this growth due to its proximity to CMM, short supply chains to shale gas, and legacy infrastructure. But the AI economy needs energy solutions at scale, today. Data center developers are logical customers for CNX’s CMM blend and CNG/mLNG, whether they are seeking an on-grid or behind-the-meter solution.
- Ground/Marine/Heavy Equipment Fleets – ZeroHp CNGTM and mLNGTM are poised to disrupt markets traditionally served by diesel and gasoline. ZeroHP CNGTM and/or mLNGTM produced in conjunction with our partners at NuBlu and sourced from our deep Utica provides a reliable, locally focused, ready now solution for any ground, marine or heavy equipment fleet to improve their emissions and their economics by converting away from heavier hydrocarbons.
The opportunity for CNX to deliver solutions to growing energy demand is clear. End markets are just starting to realize the value and benefits of our portfolio of CMM, shale gas, and New Technologies products. We are about to experience a transformation of both Appalachia and CNX.
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Living and Working in the Heart of the Alle-Kiski Valley

By the CNX Community Relations team
As CNX increasingly focuses on its Westmoreland and Armstrong County operational footprint, we’re proud to open an office in North Apollo that will serve as a hub for local operations, employees and community activity. Friday’s ribbon cutting with the Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber cements our presence in the area while providing a space where residents, local businesses, landowners and community members can access the CNX team.
“We may be new to the Apollo neighborhood, but we are not new to working in and caring for the communities where we operate. From this new office, we hope to deepen relationships with our neighbors and ask that you come to us about any questions, concerns, or if you need anything at all,” Nav Behl, CNX Chief Operating Officer, said at the ribbon cutting.

This is exactly how we carry out our Tangible, Impactful, Local philosophy – always mindful of and responsive to the unique needs of each of our operating areas.
“I want nothing more than to see this area thrive now, and in the future,” CNX Landman and Armstrong County native, Kyle Stefancik said.
Kyle’s words mirror what CNX strives for each day as our team develops the energy and new technologies moving our region’s economy and environment forward. A company that has witnessed and participated in Appalachia’s transformation over the last 160 years, we too want nothing more than to see the region we call home flourish.
Here’s more about how we deliver on those commitments:
Operational Excellence
The Alle-Kiski Valley region is a key component of our energy future, and we view our ability to operate here as a privilege. In addition to upholding a safe and compliant operating environment as we do across our footprint, we believe collaborating with local stakeholders to identify true needs within each community enables us to make a long-lasting, positive impact together with our neighbors and partners.
Achieving this goal requires not only a dedication to efficiency and innovation but also a deep respect for the unique needs and makeup of the Alle-Kiski Valley region, including safety, water management, and being an engaged community partner.
Safety and Permitting
Protecting the health and safety of our communities, the environment, our workers, and vendors requires rigorous company standards and close collaboration with regulatory bodies at all levels of government (see On the Job with Nicole Miller). Years before any construction or drilling takes place, our permitting department works with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to obtain approval on every phase of development. Pennsylvania has some of the strictest regulations in the country when it comes to natural gas and oil oversight, and CNX often exceeds these standards because of our unwavering commitment to our communities and the region we call home.
Water Protection and Conservation
While minimal, the natural gas development process does rely on water and the CNX team is committed to keeping freshwater supplies plentiful and clean. In this operating area, we have implemented enhanced groundwater protection, including deeper and thicker casings to protect the local environment. We are also taking important steps to reduce freshwater consumption through recycling and reuse of produced water and efforts like the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project. The water line project provides the potential to significantly improve area water resource resilience in northern Westmoreland County.
Being Responsive
Again, we believe having an open dialogue with landowners, residents and business partners is key to being a good neighbor in any community, and we’re constantly acting on feedback from stakeholders to ensure we’re making the community a better place to live and work.
For example, after receiving feedback from our Alle-Kiski Valley neighbors, we learned our operational lighting was impacting the local community near one of our locations. Hearing their concerns, we immediately performed a review of lighting in each operational phase and implemented a best practice to reduce the number of lights we use and when we use them, while still maintaining adequate lighting for the safety of employees and contractors. This reduces our electricity use and minimizes nighttime disruption to our neighbors. A win for all!
Radical Transparency
In addition, we’re collaborating with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) on our first-of-its-kind Radical Transparency program where air, water and chemical use data is monitored in real-time and accessible via a public website (CNXRadicalTransparency.com). This program is changing the way companies in our industry interact with their neighbors – providing a new standard for operational and data transparency, with CNX leading the way on this unique public-private collaboration.
There are currently five active locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley participating in the program. With this new collaboration, the public now has access to unambiguous, real-time information on the natural gas development in their specific area.

Alle-Kiski Valley Community Partnerships
CNX is committed to being an active community partner through outreach, volunteerism and hyper-local engagement. For example, employees attended the Historic Canal Days Festival in Saltsburg, while other employees manned a booth to answer community questions and got to participate in the iconic Great Canal Days Duck Race.
In June, CNX employees, partners and friends hit The Links in Spring Church for the CNX Foundation’s annual golf outing benefitting food pantries at schools across the region. We also recently contributed $50,000 through our CNX Dream Fields grant program to revitalize sports fields in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Apollo Area Athletic Association will use the funds to upgrade the facilities and maintain the fields, and the West Shamokin High School baseball team will use its grant money to upgrade several pieces of equipment, including batting cages, a new scoreboard, a batting turtle for home plate and wind screens around the fence.
Summer is a busy time for everyone, but if you live or find yourself in the area, please visit us at the following events:
- CSAY Northmoreland 2024 National Night Out – August 7
- Dayton Fair and 4H sale – August 12-17
- Saltsburg American Legion Wing Night – July 27 and August 23
- Indiana County Fair and 4H sale – August 26-31
- Avonmore Harvest Jubilee – September 20 & 21
“Thank you to CNX for coming to North Apollo. I think we are going to have a great relationship,” Rocco Ali, Vice Chair of North Apollo Borough said. “There is an awful lot of natural resources below us and we are looking forward to putting it to use for the economic development of our region.”
As we celebrate the official opening of the North Apollo office location, we’re excited for what’s in store and as we collaborate with our neighbors to bring our vision to life: always putting the people, neighborhoods and communities of Appalachia First.
To reach the CNX Community Relations team, please call our hotline at (724) 485-4998 or email us at CommunityRelations@cnx.com.

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Living and Working in the Heart of the Alle-Kiski Valley

By the CNX Community Relations team
As CNX increasingly focuses on its Westmoreland and Armstrong County operational footprint, we’re proud to open an office in North Apollo that will serve as a hub for local operations, employees and community activity. Friday’s ribbon cutting with the Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber cements our presence in the area while providing a space where residents, local businesses, landowners and community members can access the CNX team.
“We may be new to the Apollo neighborhood, but we are not new to working in and caring for the communities where we operate. From this new office, we hope to deepen relationships with our neighbors and ask that you come to us about any questions, concerns, or if you need anything at all,” Nav Behl, CNX Chief Operating Officer, said at the ribbon cutting.

This is exactly how we carry out our Tangible, Impactful, Local philosophy – always mindful of and responsive to the unique needs of each of our operating areas.
“I want nothing more than to see this area thrive now, and in the future,” CNX Landman and Armstrong County native, Kyle Stefancik said.
Kyle’s words mirror what CNX strives for each day as our team develops the energy and new technologies moving our region’s economy and environment forward. A company that has witnessed and participated in Appalachia’s transformation over the last 160 years, we too want nothing more than to see the region we call home flourish.
Here’s more about how we deliver on those commitments:
Operational Excellence
The Alle-Kiski Valley region is a key component of our energy future, and we view our ability to operate here as a privilege. In addition to upholding a safe and compliant operating environment as we do across our footprint, we believe collaborating with local stakeholders to identify true needs within each community enables us to make a long-lasting, positive impact together with our neighbors and partners.
Achieving this goal requires not only a dedication to efficiency and innovation but also a deep respect for the unique needs and makeup of the Alle-Kiski Valley region, including safety, water management, and being an engaged community partner.
Safety and Permitting
Protecting the health and safety of our communities, the environment, our workers, and vendors requires rigorous company standards and close collaboration with regulatory bodies at all levels of government (see On the Job with Nicole Miller). Years before any construction or drilling takes place, our permitting department works with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to obtain approval on every phase of development. Pennsylvania has some of the strictest regulations in the country when it comes to natural gas and oil oversight, and CNX often exceeds these standards because of our unwavering commitment to our communities and the region we call home.
Water Protection and Conservation
While minimal, the natural gas development process does rely on water and the CNX team is committed to keeping freshwater supplies plentiful and clean. In this operating area, we have implemented enhanced groundwater protection, including deeper and thicker casings to protect the local environment. We are also taking important steps to reduce freshwater consumption through recycling and reuse of produced water and efforts like the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project. The water line project provides the potential to significantly improve area water resource resilience in northern Westmoreland County.
Being Responsive
Again, we believe having an open dialogue with landowners, residents and business partners is key to being a good neighbor in any community, and we’re constantly acting on feedback from stakeholders to ensure we’re making the community a better place to live and work.
For example, after receiving feedback from our Alle-Kiski Valley neighbors, we learned our operational lighting was impacting the local community near one of our locations. Hearing their concerns, we immediately performed a review of lighting in each operational phase and implemented a best practice to reduce the number of lights we use and when we use them, while still maintaining adequate lighting for the safety of employees and contractors. This reduces our electricity use and minimizes nighttime disruption to our neighbors. A win for all!
Radical Transparency
In addition, we’re collaborating with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) on our first-of-its-kind Radical Transparency program where air, water and chemical use data is monitored in real-time and accessible via a public website (CNXRadicalTransparency.com). This program is changing the way companies in our industry interact with their neighbors – providing a new standard for operational and data transparency, with CNX leading the way on this unique public-private collaboration.
There are currently five active locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley participating in the program. With this new collaboration, the public now has access to unambiguous, real-time information on the natural gas development in their specific area.

Alle-Kiski Valley Community Partnerships
CNX is committed to being an active community partner through outreach, volunteerism and hyper-local engagement. For example, employees attended the Historic Canal Days Festival in Saltsburg, while other employees manned a booth to answer community questions and got to participate in the iconic Great Canal Days Duck Race.
In June, CNX employees, partners and friends hit The Links in Spring Church for the CNX Foundation’s annual golf outing benefitting food pantries at schools across the region. We also recently contributed $50,000 through our CNX Dream Fields grant program to revitalize sports fields in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Apollo Area Athletic Association will use the funds to upgrade the facilities and maintain the fields, and the West Shamokin High School baseball team will use its grant money to upgrade several pieces of equipment, including batting cages, a new scoreboard, a batting turtle for home plate and wind screens around the fence.
Summer is a busy time for everyone, but if you live or find yourself in the area, please visit us at the following events:
- CSAY Northmoreland 2024 National Night Out – August 7
- Dayton Fair and 4H sale – August 12-17
- Saltsburg American Legion Wing Night – July 27 and August 23
- Indiana County Fair and 4H sale – August 26-31
- Avonmore Harvest Jubilee – September 20 & 21
“Thank you to CNX for coming to North Apollo. I think we are going to have a great relationship,” Rocco Ali, Vice Chair of North Apollo Borough said. “There is an awful lot of natural resources below us and we are looking forward to putting it to use for the economic development of our region.”
As we celebrate the official opening of the North Apollo office location, we’re excited for what’s in store and as we collaborate with our neighbors to bring our vision to life: always putting the people, neighborhoods and communities of Appalachia First.
To reach the CNX Community Relations team, please call our hotline at (724) 485-4998 or email us at CommunityRelations@cnx.com.

Related Articles

Living and Working in the Heart of the Alle-Kiski Valley

By the CNX Community Relations team
As CNX increasingly focuses on its Westmoreland and Armstrong County operational footprint, we’re proud to open an office in North Apollo that will serve as a hub for local operations, employees and community activity. Friday’s ribbon cutting with the Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber cements our presence in the area while providing a space where residents, local businesses, landowners and community members can access the CNX team.
“We may be new to the Apollo neighborhood, but we are not new to working in and caring for the communities where we operate. From this new office, we hope to deepen relationships with our neighbors and ask that you come to us about any questions, concerns, or if you need anything at all,” Nav Behl, CNX Chief Operating Officer, said at the ribbon cutting.

This is exactly how we carry out our Tangible, Impactful, Local philosophy – always mindful of and responsive to the unique needs of each of our operating areas.
“I want nothing more than to see this area thrive now, and in the future,” CNX Landman and Armstrong County native, Kyle Stefancik said.
Kyle’s words mirror what CNX strives for each day as our team develops the energy and new technologies moving our region’s economy and environment forward. A company that has witnessed and participated in Appalachia’s transformation over the last 160 years, we too want nothing more than to see the region we call home flourish.
Here’s more about how we deliver on those commitments:
Operational Excellence
The Alle-Kiski Valley region is a key component of our energy future, and we view our ability to operate here as a privilege. In addition to upholding a safe and compliant operating environment as we do across our footprint, we believe collaborating with local stakeholders to identify true needs within each community enables us to make a long-lasting, positive impact together with our neighbors and partners.
Achieving this goal requires not only a dedication to efficiency and innovation but also a deep respect for the unique needs and makeup of the Alle-Kiski Valley region, including safety, water management, and being an engaged community partner.
Safety and Permitting
Protecting the health and safety of our communities, the environment, our workers, and vendors requires rigorous company standards and close collaboration with regulatory bodies at all levels of government (see On the Job with Nicole Miller). Years before any construction or drilling takes place, our permitting department works with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to obtain approval on every phase of development. Pennsylvania has some of the strictest regulations in the country when it comes to natural gas and oil oversight, and CNX often exceeds these standards because of our unwavering commitment to our communities and the region we call home.
Water Protection and Conservation
While minimal, the natural gas development process does rely on water and the CNX team is committed to keeping freshwater supplies plentiful and clean. In this operating area, we have implemented enhanced groundwater protection, including deeper and thicker casings to protect the local environment. We are also taking important steps to reduce freshwater consumption through recycling and reuse of produced water and efforts like the $20 million Kiski Water Line Project. The water line project provides the potential to significantly improve area water resource resilience in northern Westmoreland County.
Being Responsive
Again, we believe having an open dialogue with landowners, residents and business partners is key to being a good neighbor in any community, and we’re constantly acting on feedback from stakeholders to ensure we’re making the community a better place to live and work.
For example, after receiving feedback from our Alle-Kiski Valley neighbors, we learned our operational lighting was impacting the local community near one of our locations. Hearing their concerns, we immediately performed a review of lighting in each operational phase and implemented a best practice to reduce the number of lights we use and when we use them, while still maintaining adequate lighting for the safety of employees and contractors. This reduces our electricity use and minimizes nighttime disruption to our neighbors. A win for all!
Radical Transparency
In addition, we’re collaborating with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) on our first-of-its-kind Radical Transparency program where air, water and chemical use data is monitored in real-time and accessible via a public website (CNXRadicalTransparency.com). This program is changing the way companies in our industry interact with their neighbors – providing a new standard for operational and data transparency, with CNX leading the way on this unique public-private collaboration.
There are currently five active locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley participating in the program. With this new collaboration, the public now has access to unambiguous, real-time information on the natural gas development in their specific area.

Alle-Kiski Valley Community Partnerships
CNX is committed to being an active community partner through outreach, volunteerism and hyper-local engagement. For example, employees attended the Historic Canal Days Festival in Saltsburg, while other employees manned a booth to answer community questions and got to participate in the iconic Great Canal Days Duck Race.
In June, CNX employees, partners and friends hit The Links in Spring Church for the CNX Foundation’s annual golf outing benefitting food pantries at schools across the region. We also recently contributed $50,000 through our CNX Dream Fields grant program to revitalize sports fields in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Apollo Area Athletic Association will use the funds to upgrade the facilities and maintain the fields, and the West Shamokin High School baseball team will use its grant money to upgrade several pieces of equipment, including batting cages, a new scoreboard, a batting turtle for home plate and wind screens around the fence.
Summer is a busy time for everyone, but if you live or find yourself in the area, please visit us at the following events:
- CSAY Northmoreland 2024 National Night Out – August 7
- Dayton Fair and 4H sale – August 12-17
- Saltsburg American Legion Wing Night – July 27 and August 23
- Indiana County Fair and 4H sale – August 26-31
- Avonmore Harvest Jubilee – September 20 & 21
“Thank you to CNX for coming to North Apollo. I think we are going to have a great relationship,” Rocco Ali, Vice Chair of North Apollo Borough said. “There is an awful lot of natural resources below us and we are looking forward to putting it to use for the economic development of our region.”
As we celebrate the official opening of the North Apollo office location, we’re excited for what’s in store and as we collaborate with our neighbors to bring our vision to life: always putting the people, neighborhoods and communities of Appalachia First.
To reach the CNX Community Relations team, please call our hotline at (724) 485-4998 or email us at CommunityRelations@cnx.com.

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On the Job with Nicole Miller
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Born and raised in Westmoreland County, Nicole Miller has been an integral member of CNX’s team for over seven years. She sits on our permitting team, working as a Project Manager to liaise with local, state and federal agencies that oversee our operations to ensure we’re in compliance with all environmental and safety regulations.
In this edition of In the Field, or ‘On the Job’ since we’re recording at CNX HQ, join Nicole as she walks us through her path to CNX and how her team manages the dozens of permit and technical guidance packages so our pipelines, waterlines and well pads are authorized. This component is the very foundation of the energy development process.
In her role, Nicole’s primary responsibilities are to ensure all operations adhere to the regulations as they change or are updated across varying agency frameworks.
“The regulatory world is ever changing, so it’s important that we follow through on our promises and we act responsibly,” Nicole says. “Building a trusting relationship with our regulatory agencies is vital to our long-term success, so we want to do what’s right.”
At CNX, environmental stewardship and safety are priority. We want to make sure our workers, as well as the communities and land that surrounds us, are better off because we’re around. That’s something Nicole appreciates, noting CNX “values the resources, they value the environment, and they value safety, so it’s great to work for a company so close to home that has great values.”
Having received her degree in environmental biology and beginning her career at a local conservation district, Nicole takes pride in working for a company that is dedicated to supporting local energy needs and protecting the communities where we operate.
“Being a part of Appalachian energy means creating and utilizing a local workforce to produce clean, domestic energy. It means providing a positive impact in the communities we serve.”
We are thankful for the diligent work Nicole, alongside CNX’s entire permitting department, does to guide CNX’s environmental and safety performance record so we can continue to sustainably produce abundant Appalachian natural gas.
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CNX Foundation Celebrates 2024 Mentorship Academy Graduating Class
By Mentorship Academy Staff
Don’t be afraid.
Ask questions.
You’ve got this.
We are here for you.
Mentorship Academy leaders, partners and mentors shared words of advice and encouragement throughout this year’s graduation ceremony, and the one thing they wanted every student to know: we are still here for you, even as you start your career, or the next steps in your education.
Whether it’s a career in nursing, the energy field, education or building trades, 43 graduates from this year’s Mentorship Academy are exploring a diverse range of opportunities for the future, putting into practice the lessons and advice they gleaned from the program over the last year.
“I think without the Mentorship Academy, I would have been a little lost upon graduation,” said Steel Valley High School senior Jada Pleasant. “This program gave me the structure I needed to feel secure about my future, and the steps to pursue it.”
The Mentorship Academy prepares 11th and 12th graders from communities throughout the region to become impactful citizens, workers and family members through transformative learning, community engagement and leadership development. Students accepted into the program develop relationships with peers and business leaders across Western Pennsylvania, as well as an understanding of the region’s career opportunities and how to pursue them. In October, the Mentorship Academy was recognized at the “Magic of Mentoring” dinner – alongside the Heyward House and the Consortium for Public Education – as an organization deeply committed to championing the region’s youth.
“Three years ago, we launched this program with thirty students. Since then, this program has grown to over eighty high school juniors and seniors. We’ve expanded our number of mentors, increased our organizational partners,” said Nick Deiuliis, Mentorship Academy founder and President and Chief Executive Officer at CNX Resources. “What’s really incredible is the fact that the same mentors and partners who started the program are still with us. The continuity they have helped provide the students is a huge part of the program’s success. Moving into year four, their commitment bolsters our conviction that this work is critical to our region’s youth.”
From emergency medicine preparedness to opportunities in energy, Mentorship Academy students explored myriad career paths, including in-person, hands-on visits with partners like UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Deep Well Services, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, and West Virginia University Medicine.
“We are here to help our students further their opportunities in the workforce and in education,” said Shani Yeldell, Psy.D, Community Relations Manager for the Mentorship Academy. “Our mentors and our partners are a tremendous part of that work. The seniors graduating from this program put in incredible effort, showing up month after month, working with their mentors, establishing goals and overcoming obstacles. Just because the students are graduating doesn’t mean their time with us is over – we are here for each and every one of them as they take the next steps into their future.”
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An Exemplary Model of the Circular Economy
By Brent Bobsein, Vice President Sustainable Development, CNX
A recent announcement from the Pittsburgh International Airport, CNX Resources and KeyState grabbed headlines: a transformational hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel hub is in the works at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The announcement was met with warm accolades and near unanimous support among regional political, business, and labor leaders from across the political spectrum.
The innovative approach to creating clean fuels offers numerous benefits to a region in need, such as:
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved local air quality
- New high-paying jobs
- Access to the federal benefits envisioned by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for distressed communities
Unfortunately, the announcement also drew ideological critiques in favor of a more restrictive approach that will undermine progress in the region. These subjective restrictions envision federal funds flowing disproportionately to foreign countries and states outside of Appalachia – a region desperate to revitalize after decades of economic downturn.
The impractical criticisms drew stark contradictions to several core tenets that the project looks to uphold and defend:
- Honor the legislation and proposed Treasury guidance to utilize Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model in the calculation of Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas emissions associated with hydrogen and clean fuel production.
- Enable a technology and feedstock agnostic approach to objectively assess lifecycle carbon intensity of hydrogen and clean fuel production.
- Align domestic policy with international lifecycle assessment standards and US commitments to lowering methane emissions.
Note: CNX is not a coal mining company; nor do we have control over, or economic interest in mining operations. For the projects that CNX is contemplating partnering with, the credit would go towards funding new clean hydrogen project investments, and new CMM capture facilities.
Below, we highlight how arguments from misguided detractors are in direct contradiction to these principles.
1) The GREET Model: Let GREET be GREET
- Argonne National Laboratory’s Greenhouse Gasses, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model has been the gold standard for life cycle assessments (LCA) of fuel and transportation carbon intensity analysis since its creation in 1995.
- The GREET model uses the most up-to-date science to accurately estimate the emissions of a multitude of fuels and is the most accurate tool that can be used to score the lifecycle carbon intensity of hydrogen and clean fuels.
- Recognizing the tool’s scientific objective analytical independence, legislators specifically insisted that the GREET model be used when determining what qualifies as clean hydrogen and clean fuels.
Detractors of the project insist that the GREET model be disregarded for the purposes of 45V and 45Z policy implementation, claiming LCAs should exclude emissions avoidance accounting when determining tax credit incentives.
Since its inception, the GREET model has incorporated the standard life cycle assessment practice of emissions avoidance accounting. Further, the 2023 Research and Development (R&D) GREET model included a pathway to hydrogen from industrial pollution waste recovery, recognizing the pollution reduction associated with capturing waste methane and converting it into hydrogen. This pathway recognizes the pollution reduction benefits associated with capturing methane which is typically vented to atmosphere by mining activities for safety purposes, coal mine methane (CMM), and then utilizing it to create clean fuels.
Emissions avoidance accounting has been well recognized and utilized for decades by LCA professionals. The practice establishes business-as-usual emissions and pollution based on an assessment of legal requirements and common behavior. In the case of CMM, the 2023 R&D GREET model performed an assessment and concluded that CMM venting to atmosphere is the business-as-usual scenario based on the following:
- There is no legal requirement to destroy the CMM that must be liberated for health and safety. Accordingly, the liberation of methane is necessarily standard industry practice.
- Even after mining ceases, abandoned mines continue to vent methane to atmosphere for decades after closure.
- Unlike oil and natural gas wells, CMM sources are not governed by EPA 40 Code Federal Regulations, Part 60, Subpart OOOO, or Section 60113 of the IRA (Methane Emissions Reduction Program).
- Current CMM destruction activities are entirely voluntary and primarily motivated by the valuation of GHG emission reductions in carbon markets.
- EPA acknowledges that “the recovery and use of CMM are considered emissions avoidance.”
- Capture of CMM for productive use is decreasing.
- The observed increase in CMM capture projects is not material due to small volumes and low adoption rate (less than three percent by volume, and less than one percent by number of mines).
- CMM emissions are expected to increase by eight times over this century.
- CMM captured for productive use can help the United States decarbonize and meet GHG reduction targets.
Federal policy precedent recognizing emissions avoidance accounting has been incorporated into the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) implementation through the U.S. EPA.
- ISO 14067:2018, as utilized for the RFS, states: “Fossil GHG emissions and removals shall be included in the carbon footprint of a product (‘CFP’) or the partial CFP and documented separately as a net result. Biogenic GHG emissions and removals shall be included in the CFP or the partial CFP and should each be expressed separately.”
At an international scale, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development recently released Guidance on Avoided Emissions and utilized methane avoidance accounting. In addition, European and Asian markets recognize the methane avoidance LCA accounting through the Renewable Energy Directive’s methodology, implemented by certification standards, such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (“ISCC”). Furthermore, the European Union (“EU”) implemented rules governing the methodology for assessing GHG emissions savings are further detailed in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 of 10 February 2023 supplementing Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
- By harmonizing with the European Union and other global actors on the treatment of methane, the United States will be better positioned to incentivize mitigation and reduce the risk of incompatible accounting and certification practices.
Emissions avoidance accounting is a core aspect inherent to LCA science and is critical to driving investments in waste methane capture to reduce emissions. The use of LCA-based carbon intensities in energy policy should follow the same principles and incentivize processes and products that contribute to reducing GHG emissions and such emissions impact on climate change.
Evidence of the legislative intent to leave GREET as the default model for the 45V tax incentive, and emissions avoidance accounting untouched, came from eleven Democrat members of the United States Senate on November 6, 2023, writing to Secretary Yellen, Secretary Granholm, and Mr. John Podesta to ensure that the Proposed Regulations for the 45V Credit are consistent with their “intent to provide a robust and flexible incentive that will catalyze and quickly scale a domestic hydrogen economy.”
- The Senators further stated, “45V was intended to be technology-agnostic and clearly states that GHG lifecycle assessments (“LCA”) should be determined using the well-established GREET model through the point of production. While the 45V Credit allows for “a successor model (as determined by the Secretary),” this additional flexibility was included as a safeguard in the unlikely event the GREET model was no longer available at some future date and should not be interpreted as license to create a new LCA model or additional regulatory prescriptions.”
- Additional evidence was communicated in 2021, when Senator Carper authored and led the Senate Finance Committee’s consideration of the Clean H2 Production Act (S. 1807), which served as the basis for the 45V Credit. He notes in the letter that “Section 13204 of the IRA directs the Secretary to use a well-established greenhouse gas LCA model (GREET) through the point of production with flexibility for use of a successor model, but not the direction to create a new model.”
Some detractors argue that industrial and agricultural methane emissions would ideally be regulated (even though they aren’t today), and that owners of industrial facilities and farmers should be penalized for their pollution rather than providing incentives towards capturing the pollution. This ideological approach does nothing for the pollution occurring today, in the hope that some day new legislation (not currently under development) will create a separate methane pollution penalty for farmers and industrial facilities.
In order to address future potential changes in policy, the Argonne National Laboratory regularly reviews its GREET model assumptions, and in the event that methane was required to be captured, the business-as-usual scenario would be changed, and a methane venting emissions avoidance credit would be removed in the subsequent version of the model used for the credit. Therefore, the GREET model provides flexibility addressing future changes in law, which would consider the detractor’s ideal conceptual policy framework if it ever materialized.
2) Technology & Feedstock Biases
The detractors insist that 45V is a technology policy intended only to go towards electrolyzers (a technology used to convert electricity into hydrogen). The United States Department of Energy (DOE) published its Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Clean Hydrogen, which envisions up to an 80% share of hydrogen being produced from natural gas reformation in 2050, recognizes low carbon gas’s role in decarbonizing methane reformation-based production and appropriately highlights the near-term cost challenges faced by the industry. DOE recently said, “The clean hydrogen industry is not growing fast enough to meet U.S. climate goals.” The lower-cost reformation technology should be leveraged to justify upfront switching costs and infrastructure. This practical reality is ignored by the detractors who object to DOE’s stated policy vision.
Why have we seen so many 45V policy recommendations from environmental justice groups focused on the electricity and feedstock used for hydrogen production? The reason is that the 45V policy requires a full LCA of both the inputs (electricity, methane), and production technologies (electrolysis and methane reformation). If the policy were solely a technology policy, there would have been no reference to the GREET model or policy recommendations on determining how electricity is delivered into hydrogen production facilities.
The detractors who want to ignore the benefits of recycling pollution and converting it into hydrogen have been outspoken in their insistence that the type of electricity used by the electrolyzer is fundamentally critical when determining 45V tax credit eligibility. If the detractors believed that 45V was only a technology policy, they would not have been outspoken in their insistence that clean electricity be a pre-requisite.
The real reason detractors are ramping up attacks on the project and concept is more basic, and was highlighted by a recent blog post from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): idealogues don’t want to provide the same tax credit benefits to projects that rely on fossil fuels as projects that rely on renewable energy.
Arbitrarily excluding opportunities that don’t align with this oversimplified policy position would limit the U.S.’s ability to affect wider environmental benefits. Overruling Argonne National Laboratory’s (ANL) published conclusions on the emissions reduction benefit associated with capturing unregulated sources of emission – such as industrial or agricultural waste – is fundamentally an attack on climate science.
The well-established, widely adopted, and scientific peer reviewed consensus structure to carbon accounting was used by Argonne National Laboratory in assessing the climate benefit of utilizing CMM and agricultural methane in hydrogen and clean fuel production in Argonne’s GREET R&D model. To overthrow ANL’s determination is to place ideology and subjective interest in front of clinical science and math. Overturning science in favor of subjective preferences risks opening policy to dogmatic interpretations, which were purposefully and intentionally prevented through the structure established in the IRA.
- For example, in Treasury’s proposed guidance, emissions avoidance accounting is recognized for PEM electrolyzers through an oxygen co-product allocation in the 45V H2 GREET model. The emissions avoidance LCA practice receiving criticisms when applied to certain reformation technology has not received any scrutiny from idealogues when the same practice is applied to electrolyzers.
- If it was intended, the policy would have explicitly excluded hydrogen methane reformation production technology from accessing certain tiers of the tax credit, but it didn’t. There are no references to restrictions within the IRA that only allow certain technologies to access certain thresholds of the 45V or 45Z tax credit.
- Similarly, there are no requirements that only renewable electricity or biogenic feedstocks are utilized to access certain thresholds of the 45V or 45Z tax credit. The text defers to the GREET model to determine which combinations of feedstocks and technologies will be eligible for different credit thresholds.
The detractors, idealogues, and EDF all ignore the fact that solar panels, wind turbines, and electrolyzer equipment they view as the only solution deserving of 45V tax credits, all require emissions intensive rare earth mineral mining, steel making, and manufacturing which are all heavily reliant on fossil fuels and their associated emissions.
Any policy intended to spur change in the next decade will necessarily be forced to live within the practical realities of our current energy mix and should prioritize the most achievable emission reductions first.
3) Aligning Policy with Global Commitments
Finally, detractors insist that 45V was not intended to enable incentives to be put towards capturing waste methane pollution.
If we truly care about climate change, we should be doing everything and anything that we can to lower emissions and produce clean energy. Today, there exists no economic justification to remediate these polluting industries. Insisting that we should not allow these remediation projects to benefit from the IRA ignores the immediate and tangible impact that methane pollution capture can have.
Each day, more methane pollution goes to atmosphere unabated, and unaddressed by any federal policy. Once the methane is released into the atmosphere, the cost to remove it from the atmosphere and sequester would likely be 10 times more expensive than capturing prior to release.
John Kerry, the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate has made a variety of statements on methane’s impact on global warming and how capturing waste industrial methane from mining will help make significant strides in combatting global warming. Specifically, Mr. Kerry has made the following statements:
- “We also think [methane]’s the easiest, quickest, fastest, cheapest way to begin to get gains against the warming. So, there’ll be a major focus on methane.” (COP28 Briefing, 2023)
- “There is a new global consensus on the need for methane action, and the need to bring it from the bottom of the global climate agenda to the top.” (Remarks at the Global Methane Forum, 2022)
- “We are catalyzing methane action in each of the key methane emitting sectors – energy, agriculture, and waste. The methane challenge does not stop at oil and gas.” (Remarks at the Global Methane Forum, 2022)
- “But while we consider the long-term, we must also sprint to do what we can today and tomorrow to limit temperature and emissions now, in this decade. It’s called “fast mitigation,” a series of emergency brakes we can apply to prevent warming immediately: we need to tackle methane.” (Speech at the American University Cairo, 2022)
- “If you can capture the [methane] emissions — literally, genuinely — then you’re reducing the problem.” (Interview with Bloomberg Television, 2022)
The detractors baselessly claim that incentives risk furthering the longevity of the polluting industries the project proposes to remediate – it’s one of their core arguments against providing incentives toward any project they deem to be overly reliant on fossil fuel use.
Bottom line: This isn’t about prolonging mining operations; it’s about remediating pollution and investing in new clean energy. The right to capture gas is a separate mineral interest than the coal estate, and in CNX’s capture operation, the mining operator receives no financial benefit from methane capture revenue.
CMM capture and the hydrogen / SAF facility would improve local air quality and provide good-paying jobs in clean energy amongst Justice 40 communities.
- According to studies on SAF, if all flights out of the Pittsburgh International Airport used SAF instead of traditional jet fuel, it would drastically improve air quality by lowering criteria pollutants in the magnitude of over 400 metric tons per year in the community immediately surrounding the Pittsburgh International Airport.
- Separately, the use of SAF would have the additive benefit of lowering GHG impacts from CO2, methane, and contrail formation.
Insisting that methane avoidance accounting be excluded from LCAs will enable this methane pollution to continue unabated. The detractors would rather allow waste methane to continue to be vented to atmosphere, rather than allow incentives to be put towards remediation.
If these detractors care about the climate crisis, why do they contradict U.S. policy statements insisting that methane abatement be prioritized? If the detractors are concerned about fossil fuel use, will they also require that all solar panels, wind turbines, and electrolyzer equipment be manufactured, mined, and forged without fossil fuel use within their supply chain?
Federal policy has the potential to deliver tangible, immediate, and impactful benefits to the communities that need it the most. The contemplated project has too many practical benefits to be overshadowed by ideological weariness.
As Catherine Wolfram, Professor of Energy Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said succinctly, “If they’re not using it to make SAF, that methane is going to go into the atmosphere.”

For more information regarding the Pittsburgh International Airport Hydrogen and Sustainable Fuel Hub, visit https://www.safpittsburgh.com/
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CNX Delivers on Industry Leadership through Innovative Sustainability Approach
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
In its 13th annual Corporate Sustainability Report, “Radical Transparency,” CNX continues to set industry leading standards for accountability, transparency, and environmental stewardship.
Rooted in a rich 160-year legacy of innovation, CNX’s unique operational approach prioritizes tangible, impactful, and local solutions across the energy value chain.
“This document tells the story of our ongoing strategic journey—a journey that has clearly positioned CNX as a differentiated energy solutions company poised once again to lead an energy renaissance from right here in the heart of Appalachia,” explained CNX Chief Risk Officer Hayley Scott.
CNX’s strategic journey positions the company as the foremost leader in energy solutions, energy advocacy, and industry leadership. Underscoring this commitment, CNX collaborated with the state of Pennsylvania to spearhead a first-of-it-kind environmental monitoring and data collection initiative. This groundbreaking partnership with Governor Shapiro’s administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ensures transparent, real-time public access to data about CNX’s operations—fostering trust and understanding across all stakeholders.

“Through our commitment to Radical Transparency, we aim to lead the industry into a new era of responsible domestic energy development—one where facts and data prevail over speculation and ideology,” Scott underscored. “Through these efforts, we are proving every day that natural gas development is safe and inherently good for the communities where we are privileged to live and operate.”
In addition to this collaboration, CNX made significant strides in producing natural gas more efficiently and responsibly.
- Achieved a 30% year-over-year decline in operational methane intensity
- Reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 171,000 tons since 2020—which is equivalent to eliminating more than 40,000 cars from the road for one year
- Expanding regional monitoring and mitigation efforts to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the industry through the Appalachian Methane Initiative
CNX is also taking its unique sustainability approach directly to local communities and tackling Appalachia’s toughest community and workforce challenges in the process, including investing $5.6 million in 2023 to address urgent community needs. In 2023, student participation in the CNX Mentorship Academy increased 35% to 85 students enrolled, representing 21 schools across five southwestern Pennsylvania counties. This program provides urban and rural youth from historically marginalized Appalachian communities with greater opportunities, providing a bridge to family-sustaining careers without the need for a college degree.
Lastly, CNX re-imagined its headquarters building to further accommodate an additional 18 local tenants—creating a collaboration hub fostering growth for minority and women-owned small businesses and fledgling community organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the Appalachian region.
For nearly two centuries, CNX’s dedication to its Appalachia First philosophy has represented a genuine commitment to responsible business practices that benefit all stakeholders, including employees, operating communities, and investors. By prioritizing transparency, innovation, and community engagement and investment, CNX is not only leading the industry in sustainable energy development, but will continue setting the standard for authentic corporate responsibility for the next generation.
To read more about CNX’s sustainability initiatives and commitment to the Appalachian region, please access the full Corporate Sustainability Report: https://sustainability.cnx.com/.
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CNX Delivers on Industry Leadership through Innovative Sustainability Approach
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
In its 13th annual Corporate Sustainability Report, “Radical Transparency,” CNX continues to set industry leading standards for accountability, transparency, and environmental stewardship.
Rooted in a rich 160-year legacy of innovation, CNX’s unique operational approach prioritizes tangible, impactful, and local solutions across the energy value chain.
“This document tells the story of our ongoing strategic journey—a journey that has clearly positioned CNX as a differentiated energy solutions company poised once again to lead an energy renaissance from right here in the heart of Appalachia,” explained CNX Chief Risk Officer Hayley Scott.
CNX’s strategic journey positions the company as the foremost leader in energy solutions, energy advocacy, and industry leadership. Underscoring this commitment, CNX collaborated with the state of Pennsylvania to spearhead a first-of-it-kind environmental monitoring and data collection initiative. This groundbreaking partnership with Governor Shapiro’s administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ensures transparent, real-time public access to data about CNX’s operations—fostering trust and understanding across all stakeholders.

“Through our commitment to Radical Transparency, we aim to lead the industry into a new era of responsible domestic energy development—one where facts and data prevail over speculation and ideology,” Scott underscored. “Through these efforts, we are proving every day that natural gas development is safe and inherently good for the communities where we are privileged to live and operate.”
In addition to this collaboration, CNX made significant strides in producing natural gas more efficiently and responsibly.
- Achieved a 30% year-over-year decline in operational methane intensity
- Reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 171,000 tons since 2020—which is equivalent to eliminating more than 40,000 cars from the road for one year
- Expanding regional monitoring and mitigation efforts to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the industry through the Appalachian Methane Initiative
CNX is also taking its unique sustainability approach directly to local communities and tackling Appalachia’s toughest community and workforce challenges in the process, including investing $5.6 million in 2023 to address urgent community needs. In 2023, student participation in the CNX Mentorship Academy increased 35% to 85 students enrolled, representing 21 schools across five southwestern Pennsylvania counties. This program provides urban and rural youth from historically marginalized Appalachian communities with greater opportunities, providing a bridge to family-sustaining careers without the need for a college degree.
Lastly, CNX re-imagined its headquarters building to further accommodate an additional 18 local tenants—creating a collaboration hub fostering growth for minority and women-owned small businesses and fledgling community organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the Appalachian region.
For nearly two centuries, CNX’s dedication to its Appalachia First philosophy has represented a genuine commitment to responsible business practices that benefit all stakeholders, including employees, operating communities, and investors. By prioritizing transparency, innovation, and community engagement and investment, CNX is not only leading the industry in sustainable energy development, but will continue setting the standard for authentic corporate responsibility for the next generation.
To read more about CNX’s sustainability initiatives and commitment to the Appalachian region, please access the full Corporate Sustainability Report: https://sustainability.cnx.com/.
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CNX Delivers on Industry Leadership through Innovative Sustainability Approach
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
In its 13th annual Corporate Sustainability Report, “Radical Transparency,” CNX continues to set industry leading standards for accountability, transparency, and environmental stewardship.
Rooted in a rich 160-year legacy of innovation, CNX’s unique operational approach prioritizes tangible, impactful, and local solutions across the energy value chain.
“This document tells the story of our ongoing strategic journey—a journey that has clearly positioned CNX as a differentiated energy solutions company poised once again to lead an energy renaissance from right here in the heart of Appalachia,” explained CNX Chief Risk Officer Hayley Scott.
CNX’s strategic journey positions the company as the foremost leader in energy solutions, energy advocacy, and industry leadership. Underscoring this commitment, CNX collaborated with the state of Pennsylvania to spearhead a first-of-it-kind environmental monitoring and data collection initiative. This groundbreaking partnership with Governor Shapiro’s administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ensures transparent, real-time public access to data about CNX’s operations—fostering trust and understanding across all stakeholders.

“Through our commitment to Radical Transparency, we aim to lead the industry into a new era of responsible domestic energy development—one where facts and data prevail over speculation and ideology,” Scott underscored. “Through these efforts, we are proving every day that natural gas development is safe and inherently good for the communities where we are privileged to live and operate.”
In addition to this collaboration, CNX made significant strides in producing natural gas more efficiently and responsibly.
- Achieved a 30% year-over-year decline in operational methane intensity
- Reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 171,000 tons since 2020—which is equivalent to eliminating more than 40,000 cars from the road for one year
- Expanding regional monitoring and mitigation efforts to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the industry through the Appalachian Methane Initiative
CNX is also taking its unique sustainability approach directly to local communities and tackling Appalachia’s toughest community and workforce challenges in the process, including investing $5.6 million in 2023 to address urgent community needs. In 2023, student participation in the CNX Mentorship Academy increased 35% to 85 students enrolled, representing 21 schools across five southwestern Pennsylvania counties. This program provides urban and rural youth from historically marginalized Appalachian communities with greater opportunities, providing a bridge to family-sustaining careers without the need for a college degree.
Lastly, CNX re-imagined its headquarters building to further accommodate an additional 18 local tenants—creating a collaboration hub fostering growth for minority and women-owned small businesses and fledgling community organizations dedicated to serving the needs of the Appalachian region.
For nearly two centuries, CNX’s dedication to its Appalachia First philosophy has represented a genuine commitment to responsible business practices that benefit all stakeholders, including employees, operating communities, and investors. By prioritizing transparency, innovation, and community engagement and investment, CNX is not only leading the industry in sustainable energy development, but will continue setting the standard for authentic corporate responsibility for the next generation.
To read more about CNX’s sustainability initiatives and commitment to the Appalachian region, please access the full Corporate Sustainability Report: https://sustainability.cnx.com/.
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Pittsburgh Poised to Drive Next-Gen Sustainable Aviation
By Positive Energy Hub staff
Ten years ago, CNX and the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) forged a groundbreaking alliance that released a tidal wave of innovation. Developing abundant natural gas beneath the airport runways not only led to PIT being the world’s first airport using a microgrid completely powered by natural gas and solar, but it also propelled the Pittsburgh region as one of the world’s foremost symbols of sustainability and resilience.
This week marked yet another milestone between the two local entities, along with project developer KeyState Energy, with the formal announcement of development plans for the PIT Hydrogen and SAF Hub, a large-scale hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility.
The fugitive methane (CMM) captured by CNX will serve as the primary input for the process, yielding a SAF product capable of significantly slashing the carbon footprint of air travel over its lifecycle. This initiative not only generates local employment opportunities but also spearheads the energy transition in a way that uniquely suits the Pittsburgh region, building upon CNX and PIT’s announced alternative fuels initiative in 2022.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) between CNX and KeyState is the first step in the ~$1.5 billion project development process (contingent, of course, upon the outcome of U.S. Treasury’s 45V hydrogen production tax credit).
Key partnership details include:
- Construct a facility that produces approximately 70 million gallons annually of gas-to-liquids alternative fuel utilizing on-site natural gas blended with ultra-low carbon intense waste methane (CMM). A facility of the proposed size and scope could produce enough SAF to supplant nearly all traditional jet fuel consumption at PIT at a price competitive with conventional Jet A.
- Support 3,000 direct construction jobs, , through the development phase of the estimated $1.5 billion project. “First and foremost, we would not be in position to announce this project without the support and advocacy of our western PA labor leaders, and we are not going to proceed without them on this or any other hydrogen or SAF project in the region,” said Nick Deiuliis, President & CEO of CNX Resources. “Our goal is to expand end-use opportunities of our abundant, ultra-low carbon intensity natural gas to drive further emission reductions, create good paying, local jobs, and enhance PIT’s position as an innovative sustainable fuel hub.”
- Seek a federal FAST SAF grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a Tier 1 logistics study that informs how fuels produced at PIT can be cost-effectively transported to nearby airports including Dulles, JFK, Newark Liberty, O’Hare, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Philadelphia International Airport, among others. Successful logistics study completion could yield significant investment in constructing the hydrogen/SAF facility on PIT grounds, which would double onsite fuel storage and further stabilize fuel supply in the event of disruptions.
- Clarify the product meets requirements and specifications of the applicable agency determining whether a product officially qualifies as SAF.
“If all goes well, CNX, KeyState and PIT could be among the leaders in the production of hydrogen as SAF, which is the term for much-cleaner and greener fuel for airliners and other airplanes,” the Pittsburgh Business Times reported.
“The transportation industry has one of the toughest challenges, in scale and cost, to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”
Never one to shy away from a challenge, CNX – with the backing of bipartisan supporters, including local and national organized labor leaders and the Pittsburgh business community – is ready and excited to tackle this issue head on.
“This project is the economic shot in the arm the region needs and I’m proud of the diverse coalition working to make Pittsburgh the leader in hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel,” said Darrin Kelly, President of the Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
“Establishing a hub for hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel at the Pittsburgh International Airport is a transformational milestone in our energy and transportation future, and I commend the public, private and labor leaders involved in bringing this opportunity to fruition” Matt Smith, Chief Growth Officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development said.
Read and learn more about the PIT Hydrogen and SAF Hub at SAFPittsburgh.com.

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Mentorship In Action: 1WayOut
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
When it comes to future jobs, some kids are incredibly imaginative: they might envision themselves as an astronaut, a veterinarian or even a marine biologist. But for others, they might want to make a difference in their hometown.
Taiwan La’Rue and Zay Davis identify themselves as those changemakers. Raised in the McKees Rocks area of Pittsburgh, La’Rue and Davis saw an opportunity to change the narrative around their neighborhood by spreading positive, uplifting messaging to young adults.
“Kids in our community go through countless hardships, which hurts their dreams and visions for the future,” said La’Rue. “All it takes is one person’s support to steer them in the right direction.”

La’Rue created the brand, 1WayOut, to steer under-privileged youth to find their path toward success. One outcome from his endeavors was mentoring Davis, who adopted the “one way” lifestyle and became inspired to do more.
“1WayOut is more than a mindset; it’s a lifestyle,” said Davis. “No matter where you go, you need to be a positive role model and set an example among your peers. By embracing 1WayOut — which simply means doing the right thing — it creates a ripple effect of positivity.”

La’Rue and Davis decided that offering advice is not the only way to scale their brand. From neon-colored beanies to zip hoodies, the pair launched an apparel line so their target audience could spread awareness about 1WayOut.

“Our clothing is a massive hit,” said La’Rue. “We started selling our merchandise at Sto-Rox football games a few years ago, and we sold out several times. We’re designing new apparel each month, and our community continues to support us and the brand.”
Sto-Rox faculty took an interest in 1WayOut’s success and shared the team’s story with CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy. The Mentorship Academy prepares 11th and 12th graders from rural and urban communities like McKees Rocks to become impactful citizens, workers and family members through transformative learning, community engagement and leadership development. Students accepted into the program develop relationships with peers and business leaders across western Pennsylvania, as well as an understanding of the region’s career opportunities and how to pursue them.

“Taiwan and Zay are impressive entrepreneurs,” said Shani Yeldell, Pys.D., Community Relations Manager for the Mentorship Academy. “Like the Mentorship Academy, they want to help kids find a path forward through regional opportunities. Each student has tremendous potential and talents, so it’s all about uncovering their interests and providing them with resources for success.”
When 1WayOut connected with the Mentorship Academy, La’Rue and Davis faced two drawbacks: an inoperable website and a lack of sponsors for their upcoming community event. Building upon CNX’s Appalachia First vision through tangible, impactful and local support, the Mentorship Academy decided to invest in the young men’s journey to help overcome these hurdles.
With the assistance of Gatesman, a local marketing agency, and Yeldell, La’Rue and Davis rebuilt their website from the ground up. The website is designed for improved discoverability, and now offers e-commerce sales for merchandise. In addition, CNX Foundation will be a key sponsor of the 1WayOut Classic, a seven on seven football tournament and community day hosted at the Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School.
“Thanks to CNX’s support, Taiwan and I are incredibly excited to advance our mission of empowerment and impact,” said Davis. “We’re truly appreciative of CNX’s support.”
See below for more information about the 1WayOut Classic. Check out 1WayOut’s new website at www.1wayout.net.

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2023 CNX Foundation Year in Review: Appalachia First Commitment Continues to Bolster Region’s Communities, Families and Neighborhoods
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Appalachia First
In 2023, CNX Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CNX Resources, continued bringing CNX’s Appalachia First vision to life. The Foundation is fulfilling CNX’s commitment to an energy-driven middle class that embraces innovation and harnesses the talent, resources and opportunities of Appalachia to transform the region.
“We were able to accomplish an incredible amount last year,” said Audric Dodds, Director of Community Relations and Strategic Relationships for CNX. “From growing the number of students in our Mentorship Academy program to our investment in a desperately needed substance use disorder detox unit in the Mon Valley, we continued our holistic approach to addressing both the region’s acute and long-term needs.”
CNX Foundation funds projects that show a demonstrable commitment toward making a tangible, impactful and local difference in their communities. The Foundation focuses on seven key pillars: food insecurity, children’s health and wellness, broadband and information technology access, domestic abuse and awareness, career readiness (including technical and vocational training), water quality safety and awareness, and The Mentorship Academy.
The HQ at CNX™
The HQ at CNX™ saw significant growth in 2023, adding 17 organizations during the year. Offering affordable, professional office space for nonprofits and minority and women-owned business enterprises, The HQ at CNX helps organizations elevate their businesses while collaborating and networking with similarly-minded organizations. While the businesses have different missions, they all share a commitment to improving the lives of individuals, families and neighborhoods throughout the region. Together, they are creating a community that embodies what it means to put Appalachia First.
Organizations new to the HQ in 2023 include: Lifestyle Coach Maria Allshouse, Perked Up Cafe, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Food Helpers, 412Thrive, Autism Caring Center, CCAC, Nonprofit Sidekick, Oakbridge Advisor Group, WEN Greater Pittsburgh, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, Joco Holdings LLC, Face2Face Healing, Jeff Hancher Enterprises, TASI and Compassionate Care Unlimited Inc.
“The space we secured at the HQ is amazing. I was able to move our business offices out of the warehouse, and even obtain enough space to create a packing station for one of our food programs that provides kids healthy snacks to take home on weekends,” said George Omiros, president and chief executive officer of Food Helpers.
Dream Fields Do Come True
In August, CNX Foundation announced a $150,000, three-year presenting sponsorship of the DICKs Sporting Goods PONY League World Series. The sponsorship aligns with the children’s health and wellness pillar. At the same time, the Foundation announced the Dream Fields grant program to rehabilitate and revitalize sports fields across the Appalachian basin.
Despite daily rain delays, the 2023 series brought record game attendance to Washington County, culminating in nearly 6,000 fans coming out to watch the series championship game. Over 150 players from five countries and six different states represented their respective regions. While the Dream Fields grant program launched in conjunction with the world series sponsorship, its breadth goes well beyond repairing baseball fields. The program supports community-maintained fields and playing surfaces, filling in funding gaps and addressing needs at fields and sports surfaces throughout the region.
“At CNX, we place a lot of value on youth sports and athletic programs, not only because they contribute so powerfully to physical health, but because they play an important role in their communities,” said Cody Craker, Vice President of Operations and Construction at CNX Resources.
CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit
In order to ease the way for those beginning recovery from substance use disorder, CNX Foundation contributed $1 million to Penn Highlands Mon Valley for an inpatient unit where patients can take the first steps toward healing. Located in the heart of rural southwestern Pennsylvania, this facility is the first of its kind to provide this type of recovery care in the area.
At the beginning of a person’s journey to sobriety, the substance recovery unit has physicians and nursing staff available around the clock. Therapists are available to talk with patients as they begin working through their emotions related to detoxification and recovery. The unit also includes 24-hour access to the Emergency Department, Cardiac Care Unit, Behavioral Health Unit and Medical Imaging for when immediate care is needed. This removes some of the pressure on the Emergency Room by freeing up beds and helping patients get the specialized care they need.
“Substance use disorder, and in particular the opioid epidemic, crosses all socioeconomic barriers – it has harmed rural and urban communities alike across Appalachia. We are investing this money because we believe assisting people in their recovery and helping them return to their families, workplaces and neighborhoods will have a positive impact on the region,” said Nick Deiuliis, President and Chief Executive Officer at CNX Resources.
Mentorship Academy
In 2023, 48 students graduated from the Mentorship Academy, CNX Foundation’s flagship initiative. The Mentorship Academy prepares 11th and 12th graders from rural and urban communities to become impactful citizens, workers and family members through transformative learning, community engagement and leadership development. Students accepted into the program develop relationships with peers and business leaders across Western Pennsylvania, as well as an understanding of the region’s career opportunities and how to pursue them.
On August 11th, 14 Mentorship Academy graduates committed to new employers. From hospitality to healthcare, and from the energy field to building trades, 2023’s Mentorship Academy graduates leveraged the program’s opportunities to connect with regional organizations and their leaders, identifying areas of professional interest to pursue after high school. UPMC hired four graduates, delivering on one of the goals of the UPMC/CNX M.O.V.E.S. program to help and hire students interested in healthcare careers. CNX Resources hired four graduates. The Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, Perked Up Cafe, Chemstream, Eaton and Deep Well Services also hired academy graduates.
“We are here to help our students further their opportunities in the workforce and in education,” said Shani Yeldell, Psy.D., Community Relations Manager for the Mentorship Academy. “We connect our students with our partner organizations to demonstrate the depth and breadth of opportunity in our region, and we show them opportunities like apprenticeships and skilled trades. Our students have knowledge and confidence about their careers and their futures, and they know we remain steadfast in supporting them now and down the road.”
In October, the Mentorship Academy was recognized at the “Magic of Mentoring” dinner — alongside the Heyward House and the Consortium for Public Education — as an organization deeply committed to championing the region’s youth. The Mentorship Academy received the Thieman Award for exceptional work in mentoring through the region.
CNX Impact

From collecting dozens of bags of trash around Washington Lakes to raising funds for Southwest Virginia STARS, CNX employees added new community initiatives and organizations to Impact, its annual season of giving, while increasing support for food pantries and children and families in need during the holiday season. Impact begins on the first of November each year and extends through the holiday season.
Impact is a fundamental part of CNX’s Appalachia First vision to advance and invest in communities across its region. Designed to generate tangible, impactful, and local benefits for the region CNX is proud to call home, this initiative embraces the idea that by supporting its local communities, people can realize and take advantage of the wide variety of employment opportunities a natural gas-driven economy offers.
Through the program, participating employees work with CNX leadership to identify specific community areas of most impact. Over the course of the 2023 year-end campaign, 270 employees donated over $100,000 to 19 different organizations including food banks, veterans organizations and humane societies.
“Part of the goal of Impact is to have employees help direct support to the communities, causes and organizations they are most passionate about and see the most need,” said Haley Scott, Chief Risk Officer of CNX. “This year it was great to see our number of volunteers increase, as well as the inclusion of so many new causes. It’s a wonderful opportunity for employees to volunteer their time and guide financial giving to areas where they see the most need.”
Strengthening Appalachia
With one of the largest, most efficient and environmentally sustainable sources of natural gas in the world, Appalachia is poised to become a leader for the new natural gas economy. The HQ at CNX™, CNX Impact, the Mentorship Academy and the Foundation’s philanthropic investments work in concert together to support the people who call Appalachia home. This is just the beginning of a multi-faceted approach to bring this vision to life, and CNX Foundation is looking forward to a future making tangible, impactful and local differences in the years to come.
CNX Foundation is dedicated year-round to supporting organizations that embrace opportunities to make a positive impact in their Appalachian communities. To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.cnx.com/about-us/cnx-foundation.

2023 CNX Foundation Year in Review: Appalachia First Commitment Continues to Bolster Region’s Communities, Families and Neighborhoods
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Appalachia First
In 2023, CNX Foundation, the philanthropic arm of CNX Resources, continued bringing CNX’s Appalachia First vision to life. The Foundation is fulfilling CNX’s commitment to an energy-driven middle class that embraces innovation and harnesses the talent, resources and opportunities of Appalachia to transform the region.
“We were able to accomplish an incredible amount last year,” said Audric Dodds, Director of Community Relations and Strategic Relationships for CNX. “From growing the number of students in our Mentorship Academy program to our investment in a desperately needed substance use disorder detox unit in the Mon Valley, we continued our holistic approach to addressing both the region’s acute and long-term needs.”
CNX Foundation funds projects that show a demonstrable commitment toward making a tangible, impactful and local difference in their communities. The Foundation focuses on seven key pillars: food insecurity, children’s health and wellness, broadband and information technology access, domestic abuse and awareness, career readiness (including technical and vocational training), water quality safety and awareness, and The Mentorship Academy.
The HQ at CNX™
The HQ at CNX™ saw significant growth in 2023, adding 17 organizations during the year. Offering affordable, professional office space for nonprofits and minority and women-owned business enterprises, The HQ at CNX helps organizations elevate their businesses while collaborating and networking with similarly-minded organizations. While the businesses have different missions, they all share a commitment to improving the lives of individuals, families and neighborhoods throughout the region. Together, they are creating a community that embodies what it means to put Appalachia First.
Organizations new to the HQ in 2023 include: Lifestyle Coach Maria Allshouse, Perked Up Cafe, Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Food Helpers, 412Thrive, Autism Caring Center, CCAC, Nonprofit Sidekick, Oakbridge Advisor Group, WEN Greater Pittsburgh, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh, Joco Holdings LLC, Face2Face Healing, Jeff Hancher Enterprises, TASI and Compassionate Care Unlimited Inc.
“The space we secured at the HQ is amazing. I was able to move our business offices out of the warehouse, and even obtain enough space to create a packing station for one of our food programs that provides kids healthy snacks to take home on weekends,” said George Omiros, president and chief executive officer of Food Helpers.
Dream Fields Do Come True
In August, CNX Foundation announced a $150,000, three-year presenting sponsorship of the DICKs Sporting Goods PONY League World Series. The sponsorship aligns with the children’s health and wellness pillar. At the same time, the Foundation announced the Dream Fields grant program to rehabilitate and revitalize sports fields across the Appalachian basin.
Despite daily rain delays, the 2023 series brought record game attendance to Washington County, culminating in nearly 6,000 fans coming out to watch the series championship game. Over 150 players from five countries and six different states represented their respective regions. While the Dream Fields grant program launched in conjunction with the world series sponsorship, its breadth goes well beyond repairing baseball fields. The program supports community-maintained fields and playing surfaces, filling in funding gaps and addressing needs at fields and sports surfaces throughout the region.
“At CNX, we place a lot of value on youth sports and athletic programs, not only because they contribute so powerfully to physical health, but because they play an important role in their communities,” said Cody Craker, Vice President of Operations and Construction at CNX Resources.
CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit
In order to ease the way for those beginning recovery from substance use disorder, CNX Foundation contributed $1 million to Penn Highlands Mon Valley for an inpatient unit where patients can take the first steps toward healing. Located in the heart of rural southwestern Pennsylvania, this facility is the first of its kind to provide this type of recovery care in the area.
At the beginning of a person’s journey to sobriety, the substance recovery unit has physicians and nursing staff available around the clock. Therapists are available to talk with patients as they begin working through their emotions related to detoxification and recovery. The unit also includes 24-hour access to the Emergency Department, Cardiac Care Unit, Behavioral Health Unit and Medical Imaging for when immediate care is needed. This removes some of the pressure on the Emergency Room by freeing up beds and helping patients get the specialized care they need.
“Substance use disorder, and in particular the opioid epidemic, crosses all socioeconomic barriers – it has harmed rural and urban communities alike across Appalachia. We are investing this money because we believe assisting people in their recovery and helping them return to their families, workplaces and neighborhoods will have a positive impact on the region,” said Nick Deiuliis, President and Chief Executive Officer at CNX Resources.
Mentorship Academy
In 2023, 48 students graduated from the Mentorship Academy, CNX Foundation’s flagship initiative. The Mentorship Academy prepares 11th and 12th graders from rural and urban communities to become impactful citizens, workers and family members through transformative learning, community engagement and leadership development. Students accepted into the program develop relationships with peers and business leaders across Western Pennsylvania, as well as an understanding of the region’s career opportunities and how to pursue them.
On August 11th, 14 Mentorship Academy graduates committed to new employers. From hospitality to healthcare, and from the energy field to building trades, 2023’s Mentorship Academy graduates leveraged the program’s opportunities to connect with regional organizations and their leaders, identifying areas of professional interest to pursue after high school. UPMC hired four graduates, delivering on one of the goals of the UPMC/CNX M.O.V.E.S. program to help and hire students interested in healthcare careers. CNX Resources hired four graduates. The Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, Perked Up Cafe, Chemstream, Eaton and Deep Well Services also hired academy graduates.
“We are here to help our students further their opportunities in the workforce and in education,” said Shani Yeldell, Psy.D., Community Relations Manager for the Mentorship Academy. “We connect our students with our partner organizations to demonstrate the depth and breadth of opportunity in our region, and we show them opportunities like apprenticeships and skilled trades. Our students have knowledge and confidence about their careers and their futures, and they know we remain steadfast in supporting them now and down the road.”
In October, the Mentorship Academy was recognized at the “Magic of Mentoring” dinner — alongside the Heyward House and the Consortium for Public Education — as an organization deeply committed to championing the region’s youth. The Mentorship Academy received the Thieman Award for exceptional work in mentoring through the region.
CNX Impact

From collecting dozens of bags of trash around Washington Lakes to raising funds for Southwest Virginia STARS, CNX employees added new community initiatives and organizations to Impact, its annual season of giving, while increasing support for food pantries and children and families in need during the holiday season. Impact begins on the first of November each year and extends through the holiday season.
Impact is a fundamental part of CNX’s Appalachia First vision to advance and invest in communities across its region. Designed to generate tangible, impactful, and local benefits for the region CNX is proud to call home, this initiative embraces the idea that by supporting its local communities, people can realize and take advantage of the wide variety of employment opportunities a natural gas-driven economy offers.
Through the program, participating employees work with CNX leadership to identify specific community areas of most impact. Over the course of the 2023 year-end campaign, 270 employees donated over $100,000 to 19 different organizations including food banks, veterans organizations and humane societies.
“Part of the goal of Impact is to have employees help direct support to the communities, causes and organizations they are most passionate about and see the most need,” said Haley Scott, Chief Risk Officer of CNX. “This year it was great to see our number of volunteers increase, as well as the inclusion of so many new causes. It’s a wonderful opportunity for employees to volunteer their time and guide financial giving to areas where they see the most need.”
Strengthening Appalachia
With one of the largest, most efficient and environmentally sustainable sources of natural gas in the world, Appalachia is poised to become a leader for the new natural gas economy. The HQ at CNX™, CNX Impact, the Mentorship Academy and the Foundation’s philanthropic investments work in concert together to support the people who call Appalachia home. This is just the beginning of a multi-faceted approach to bring this vision to life, and CNX Foundation is looking forward to a future making tangible, impactful and local differences in the years to come.
CNX Foundation is dedicated year-round to supporting organizations that embrace opportunities to make a positive impact in their Appalachian communities. To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.cnx.com/about-us/cnx-foundation.
California Environmental Journalist Questions CNX’s Ready-Now Climate Solution
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
In the spirit of Radical Transparency, we thought it appropriate to disclose a recent email exchange between CNX and a representative from a California-based environmental media site called “Capital and Main.”
This outlet, funded and advised by deep-pocketed anti-natural gas foundations including the Schmidt Family Foundation (Google), progressive organizations, and renewable energy money interests, is known for its deeply biased coverage of the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. The reporter’s own X page, in fact, shows the blatant bias and disregard for principled, down-the-middle journalism that we all expect and deserve.
As is clear from the initial email pasted below, the outlet apparently intends to publish a piece questioning CNX’s groundbreaking partnership with Pennsylvania involving real-time disclosure of environmental monitoring data, as well as CNX’s advocacy efforts around implementing policies in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act necessary to capturing waste methane and benefitting the Appalachian region.
Let’s be absolutely clear: waste coal mine methane accounts for 10% of U.S. methane emissions, and CNX is offering the only tangible, ready-now solution to mitigating the unabated waste methane and converting it into usable, ultra-low carbon intensity, clean hydrogen. If you care about climate change, you will necessarily be a proponent of policies incentivizing the capture of waste methane emissions.
Yet, for Capital & Main and the radical environmental groups backing the operation, this innovative climate and pro-jobs solution isn’t good enough (perhaps, some of their funders see it as a threat to their Chinese/solar investments).
Of course, whether it’s climate-focused policies or responsible, transparent natural gas production, CNX is proud to lead in a manner that breaks down traditional “us and them” narratives by partnering with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing real-time environmental monitoring to establish the best available independent evidence on responsible gas production, and advocating that captured methane is a lower-carbon intensive feedstock than wind or solar.
We hope that Capital & Main views these actions through the journalistic lens of independence, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, and public accountability, rather than tiresome and divisive agenda-based reporting.
We do believe that a natural gas company that voluntarily posts live third-party air monitoring data from its well sites, or one that asks the Treasury Department to adopt a policy incentivizing the elimination of 10% of U.S. methane emissions and, in so doing, helps to create a viable hydrogen industry, is newsworthy.
Unfortunately, from the questions below, it appears as though this California-based outlet believes that the breaking news is an Appalachian company donating to bipartisan Appalachian policy makers to advance policy that helps the people of Appalachia.
Rather than play the game of responding privately and allowing the media outlet to cherry-pick facts/quotes that fit its desired narrative, we’re publicly posting the full exchange along with links to relevant facts and source documents; all of which were, are, and will continue to be publicly available.
CNX is proud to break from the traditional narratives of liberal/conservative, energy/environment, business/labor, corporation/media. We will not shy away from our commitment to Radical Transparency and our mission to put Appalachia First.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
From: Aiello, Brian <BrianAiello@cnx.com>
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2024 1:02 PM
To: Audrey Carleton
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Capital & Main media request: 45V hydrogen tax credit
Hi Audrey – thanks for reaching out regarding our work on the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit.
We view the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives, with appropriate implementation guidance, as critical tools enabling the Appalachian region to lead the nation and catalyze a local hydrogen economy. Our position on the 45V Credit is no mystery and well-documented.
By capturing and utilizing waste mine methane for clean hydrogen production, we can mitigate a significant climate threat that currently lacks incentives and accounts for approximately 10% of U.S. methane emissions. As outlined by a coalition of local business and labor leaders, capturing waste mine methane emissions can catalyze jobs and economic growth in the region like few other opportunities before us. This is an absolute climate and economic winner advocated for by elected leaders from across the nation. We’re optimistic the 45V Tax Credit guidance will align with this ready-to-deploy solution.
Specifically, CNX submitted a 24-page letter to the Internal Revenue Service outlining our position and the opportunity for the region. In addition to CNX, a diverse group of stakeholders and elected officials have weighed in on the importance of 45V. Supporting this policy is a no-brainer for regional public officials, communities, labor, industry, and environmentalists. It would spark development in a region that needs a spark, it would reduce methane emissions, and create jobs.
Beyond our official 45V comment letter and oral testimony to the Department of Treasury, CNX has published a variety of materials on the Company’s Positive Energy Hub transparently detailing our position and the opportunity for the region. Our CEO has also analyzed the matter on his weekly podcast, and numerous social media posts from Nick and the Company have described our thinking on policies to encourage the coal mine methane capture.
In terms of the Company’s political giving, CNX discloses such activities in our annual Corporate Sustainability Report and acts in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We view our political engagements and contributions as an important tool in our mission to ensure that public policy issues around energy, environmental protection, development, and jobs in Appalachia are openly debated based on sound math, science, and transparent data.
Operating in politically diverse states like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio, CNX has and will continue to contribute to organizations and candidates on both sides of the traditional aisle. CNX will continue to support organizations and candidates who proudly champion and advocate for an energy future that makes sense for the people of Appalachia and future generations, regardless of party affiliation.
We’re excited about the opportunity that is facing the energy industry and the region when it comes to producing ultra-low carbon intensity hydrogen using captured waste methane emissions.
Our goals are simple: help clean up the environment by reducing methane emissions while creating jobs and opportunity in some of the most disadvantaged regions of the nation in the process. This is a win-win that’s coalescing elected officials, labor unions, businesses, and environmental groups of all stripes.
If there is news here in terms of CNX’s position on the 45V Tax Credit, our advocacy on behalf of the Appalachian region, or our political support, it is certainly of the old variety.
Again, thanks for reaching out and providing us a platform to continue to tell this important story for the Appalachian region.
Brian Aiello
CNX | Vice President – External Relations
CNX Center | 1000 Horizon Vue Drive | Canonsburg, PA 15317
_____________________________________________________________________________________
From: Audrey Carleton
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 2:50 PM
To: Aiello, Brian <BrianAiello@cnx.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Capital & Main media request: 45V hydrogen tax credit
Dear Brian,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Audrey Carleton, and I’m a journalist with Capital & Main. I’m working on a story on the federal 45V tax credit for hydrogen and I wanted to reach out and see if you might be willing and able to offer comment for this story.
I have a handful of questions. See below:
1 – How would you define CNX’s stance on the 45V tax credit — what would you all like to see come out of the tax credit?
2 – More specifically, how would you define CNX’s stance on the GREET model? What would CNX like to see the GREET model for 45V include?
3 – My understanding is that, in October of 2023, while CNX was negotiating the terms of a partnership with the Shapiro administration (announced Nov. 2, 2023), you sent the administration an explanation of CNX’s goals for the 45V tax credit and urged their support in advocating for these goals in D.C. Can CNX offer any additional information, or context for this conversation, or the extent to which the Shapiro administration advocated for these goals with federal regulators?
4 – Environmentalists have criticized that the demands of the methane industry for 45V could potentially derail the nation’s climate goals by furthering reliance on fossil fuels without meaningfully cutting emissions. Would CNX like to comment on this?
5 – Capital & Main has identified a handful of political donations from CNX that I am wondering if you would like to offer comment on. The first was for $75,000, sent to the Democratic Governors Association in 2022 — that same year, the Democratic Governors Association sent Josh Shapiro more than $7-million. Then, in September of 2023, CNX sent Democratic Senator Joe Manchin $5,000. Two months later, Senator Manchin signed onto a letter urging the Treasury department to not to change the GREET model in its 45V rulemaking, while allowing for accounting practices like carbon negative gas credits, which CNX has also endorsed.
Would CNX like to comment on this?
6 – Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Many thanks for your time in handling this request. To give you a sense of timing, my deadline is tomorrow EOD – I would welcome any input you might be able to offer.
Many thanks, and all the best,
Audrey
—
Audrey J. Carleton
Reporter | Capital and Main
Visit me at my: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn
Pronouns: She, her, hers
45V GREET Public Comments_April 2024.pdf
PDF – 118 Kb
Earth Day the CNX Way
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
As communities across the world celebrate Earth Day and the importance of environmental conservation, we are all encouraged to “make every day Earth Day.” The CNX team works tirelessly to protect and enhance the environment where we operate, provide low-emissions energy, and invest in projects and technologies that provide the energy society needs. Since last Earth Day, with our Appalachia First strategic vision lighting the way, we’ve intensified those efforts like never before.
Data Driven Environmental Monitoring
Last year CNX introduced the most extensive environmental monitoring and disclosure program for natural gas development in the nation. The historic collaboration with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is simultaneously providing the PA Department of Environmental Protection and CNX raw environmental data collected by third parties on development sites before, during, and after natural gas development. This data is also available to the public in real time on our Radical Transparency website, CNXRadicalTransparency.com.
To date, nine natural gas sites have been added to the program with more monitoring established every month. Additionally, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy Carrie Crumpton has posted regular updates in her Context Corner blog to help stakeholders understand the data and provide insights into how things like emissions and particulate matter in the air are measured. To date, air quality at all natural gas development sites monitored have shown levels far below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, confirming that CNX is producing Pennsylvania natural gas safely and responsibly from an air quality perspective.
Water Conservation
Water plays a critical role in natural gas development, and CNX has invested heavily in infrastructure to reuse water from our operations many times over. This reduces the impact on local water tables and minimizes truck traffic. With approximately 97% of water from our core operating areas being reused, we have removed tens of thousands of trucks from roadways in recent years, avoiding transportation related emissions in our communities in the process.
Our investment in water infrastructure continued recently with the Kiski water line project, a $20 million investment in northern Westmoreland County that will serve CNX operations in the area, and serve as a community water infrastructure asset in the future. The water line has the potential to supplement the Beaver Run Reservoir, to maintain normal service during seasonally dry periods, and mitigate drought and residential conservation risk in the area. The project provides the potential to significantly improve area water resource resilience in northern Westmoreland County.
Reducing Methane Emissions
Natural gas production in the Appalachian Basin produces the lowest methane emission intensity of any major producing basin in the United States, and CNX’s Emission Reduction Task Force consistently looks for opportunities to further reduce our overall emissions footprint.

From 2020 through the end of 2023, CNX produced enough energy to power 6.5 million homes per year while reducing operational methane intensity by 52% in our production segment and 31% in our gathering and boosting segment. In 2024, we are continuing our methane reduction efforts by spending an additional $5 million on similar projects, with expected annualized reductions of over 85,000 tons of CO2e.
CNX also reduces methane emissions from other industries through our waste methane abatement initiatives. Methane emissions from coal mining activities represent nearly 10% of all U.S. methane emissions. We capture approximately 5.7 million tons of waste methane annually, which is significantly more methane than we emit from our operating activities. In the case of coal mine methane (CMM), routine mine safety procedures require methane to be vented before activities can begin. Rather than releasing it to the atmosphere, CNX captures, processes, and transports waste methane to market for beneficial use.
Harnessing Waste Energy
Waste methane capture from coal mines and other sources represents a major opportunity for emission reduction efforts nationwide. It’s also a critical potential feedstock for producing clean hydrogen. CNX recently testified on its importance to the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit included in the President’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Another way we are reducing emissions is by powering our operations with onsite sources. In 2023, CNX partnered with ICE Thermal Harvesting to pilot a program at one of CNX’s compressor stations that captures heat produced at the station and uses it to power operations on site. The thermal energy is 100% emissions-free. The pilot proved successful throughout the year, and in 2024 we are planning to expand this program to additional compressor stations.
Harnessing CNG Power
CNX is also working to reduce emissions of the water trucks that remain on the road supporting drilling and completions activity. Last year, CNX and Force Environmental Solutions introduced the first water trucks fueled 100% by compressed natural gas (CNG). Compared to tailpipe emissions from traditional fuels, CNG emits 30% less carbon dioxide, 90% less NOx, and 42% less sulfur oxide (SOx), while generating a 50% reduction in costs.
Locally Sourced
Our CNG program epitomizes the “produce it here, use it here – first” philosophy tied to our Appalachia First strategy. We believe that harnessing the abundant resources of our region and maximizing their use within Appalachia is the path to greatest efficiency. When resources like CNG are produced and used in a hyper-local setting, it lessens emissions associated with the traditional supply chain in addition to reducing emissions on the trucks themselves. We are currently expanding this model within our operations and beyond. Stay tuned for additional announcements throughout the year.
When we say “produce it here, use it here first,” we’re applying that same model of efficiency for energies like CNG, LNG, thermal, hydrogen, and electricity derived from natural gas to industries from aviation to zero-emissions power.
Individual Impacts
Our employees have opportunities to make individual impacts via our many partners throughout the region. Whether it’s helping Tree Pittsburgh plant 400 trees, employee-led workdays collecting trash from around local lakes, installing bat houses to help conserve the regional bat population, or our ongoing partnership with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy maintaining regional green spaces, our employees continue to step up their commitment to the environment where they live and work.
As we celebrate Earth Day, we’re proud to recognize these efforts and continue increasing our investment in the Appalachian region.
Related Articles

Challenging Environmental NGO/Media Optics with Facts and Data
By CNX President & CEO Nick Deiuliis
“With over 400 violations accrued by CNX since the 43rd statewide Grand Jury report, it is baffling that the partnership appears to prioritize voluntary self-reporting. This stance negates the well-documented violations and the urgency for stricter regulatory oversight. In 2021, as Attorney General, you charged CNX with environmental crimes, to which they pleaded no contest. What is the explanation for placing your trust in the same company that you rightfully sought to hold accountable for environmental crimes?” – FracTracker Alliance
“We do not trust foxes to guard henhouses. That makes sense. Foxes have a vested interest in chicken coops being as unsecured as possible… CNX has a history with penalties. In 2017, there were fines topping $400,000 for violations in 2015 and 2016. In 2020, there was a $175,000 fine for a 2019 well failure.” – TribLive
“The evidence is in. Fracking is bad for health and the environment,” said Ned Ketyer, a retired pediatrician and president of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania. “I think it’s a terrible agreement.” – Wall Street Journal
Leaders Threaten Entrenched Interests
The media and environmental complex do not hesitate to throw fabricated shade at the domestic energy industry, including Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry. Doing so is fundamental to their business models that rely on clicks and funding.
The company I work for, CNX Resources, is no stranger to such vilification, and has become a favored target of such vitriol, as evidenced by the above quotes. Why? Because we have the audacity to do two things.
First, to lead and forge new ground on the rigor, standards, and transparency for stakeholders of the actual environmental impacts and benefits of the domestic energy industry. And second, to eagerly advocate for the awesomeness of the natural gas industry and Appalachia using data and science.
Late last year, CNX and the Pennsylvania DEP announced a first-of-its-kind and revolutionary new standard for transparent, real-time reporting to the public of emissions and air/water quality data at natural gas sites. The landmark was the culmination of Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s effort to set a new standard not just for Pennsylvania, but for the nation, when it came to responsible natural gas development.
Since that November 2023 announcement, we’ve launched the cnxradicaltransparency.com website, and we’re actively monitoring and displaying daily data from five well pads (located in Allegheny, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties) and our Morris Compressor Station in Greene County. Additional pads and compressor stations across our operational footprint are scheduled to come online in the coming days and weeks.
Radical Transparency caused quite a dramatic response from the radical environmental movement, and the strident comments from that complex amped up to a new, unprecedented level. Now why in the world would certain environmentalists or ‘journalists’ be so passionately opposed to the clarity of data provided by the Radical Transparency initiative? Because objective fact and knowledge have been the natural enemies of rigid ideologies throughout history.
The New Line of Slander
Before Radical Transparency, environmentalists and journalists were loudly calling out for more health-related data and more costly, time-consuming “studies” – which have to-date provided no reliable information or clarity. The call for more studies and data is a familiar stall, delay, and kill tactic across industrial development today.
However, when real-time, accurate and reliable data are transparently published for all to see, it creates an existential conundrum for those whose mission is to vilify using rank speculation and innuendo. That’s exactly what Radical Transparency is doing to the radical environmental movement. Suddenly, domestic energy critics have done an about-face. Now they tell us that the verdict is in and they don’t need any more data.
Radical Transparency is a game-changer. Now, if someone throws out, say, baseless accusations of natural gas development exacerbating asthma, they are confronted with the real-time PM2.5 emissions data on-pad, which shows no support for any such unfounded claim. The ability to point to the scoreboard of Radical Transparency has created an immediate rebuttal of those running their mouths the loudest.
So, what to do if you are looking to keep the flames of manufactured innuendo, fear mongering, and rank speculation alive? Desperate times might call for desperate measures; like resorting to a position of, ‘You can’t trust anything from these people and companies, because they are liars, immoral, and bad actors.’
As silly as that seems, it’s what those ideologically opposed to the natural gas industry have resorted to. It’s the flawed thinking that leads to those quotes at the start of this commentary. When all else fails, shout ‘liar’ as loudly as you can.
Understanding Compliance Records in the Natural Gas Industry
Believe it or not, seeing such unethical behavior is a sign of massive progress, and a win for science, rational thought, the environment, the natural gas industry, the economy, and Pennsylvania. You see, it is a sign that the thin veneer of respectability that the radical environmental complex has created is starting to be scraped off by truth.
Yet rigid, anti-science ideologies like the ones we are dealing with here don’t quit easily. So, progress inevitably means one runs into the next impediment. That’s why it’s crucial to understand CNX’s record when it comes to environmental compliance in Pennsylvania.
Let’s assess CNX’s record over the past two years (2022 and 2023) when it comes to Pennsylvania DEP Oil and Gas Compliance. That’s become quite the hot topic of interest.
First, recognize the number of violations the public sees does not directly correlate to the number of events that actually occurred.
Second, the number of official violations does not inform on the process CNX and the DEP follow. Since both issues are highly relevant, it is important to properly interpret the seemingly exorbitant numbers of violations.
Consistent with the philosophy of Radical Transparency, a bit of straight talk using data does wonders to highlight truth.
The data presented from 2022 and 2023 relate to violations for both CNX upstream and CNX midstream; we are the only major industry player in the Commonwealth that has substantial footprints in both upstream and midstream, and thus our violation count will reflect that.

There were 969 inspections performed on CNX sites by the PA DEP Office of Oil and Gas Management and recorded in the system over 2022–2023. That’s almost 1.5 per day on average, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Twenty-six of the 969 inspections initiated a Notice of Violation (NOV), or roughly 2.7%. Out of the 26 NOVs, 24 were self-reported to the agency by CNX, which subsequently initiated the original inspection report. Of note, the 24 self-reported NOVs cover all of the spills (16 total) and slips (7 total) incidents in the 26.1
That’s right: over 90% of the 2022-2023 CNX NOVs were initially identified by CNX, where we reported the event to the regulatory agency on our own. Liars? Can’t trust us? C’mon, look at the scoreboard.
And the two NOVs that were not self-reported were discovered by a DEP inspector before CNX had discovered the issue. Incidentally, neither related to a slip or a spill.
Once a NOV is reported by CNX (24 of 26) or is a result of a DEP inspection (2 of 26), a defined process is initiated, which unfortunately results in substantial paperwork and that generates multiple individual violations for the same incident.
That inflates the violation count to multiples of the original 26 NOVs. So, when looking at these 26 NOVs through the lens of the PA DEP Oil and Gas Compliance Report, these 26 events appear as 103 individual violation line items, greatly over-exaggerating, and often misleading, the reality of the actual number of events and the status of resolution.
What we covered so far:
- Over 2022-2023, PA DEP inspected CNX sites 969 times;
- CNX had 26 NOVs issued by the PA DEP over those 969 inspections (~2.7% incident rate);
- 24 of the 26 NOVs were self-reported to the PA DEP by CNX (90+%);
- All 16 spills and all 7 slips were captured by the 24 self-reported NOVs; and
- The 26 NOVs, once run through the defined process, resulted in 103 individual violations.
How NOVs Produce Inflated Violation Counts
What is it about the process that converts 26 NOVs into 100+ individual violations found in the PA DEP Oil and Gas Compliance Report? It comes down to how NOVs are captured and recorded in the state’s compliance database.
Each NOV outlines specific code sections of the regulation or law that MAY be in violation with a single reported event or occurrence. For example, take an accidental spill of brine from a hose onto the ground. That starts with a self-report and notification by CNX to PA DEP. The CNX self-report then triggers an inspection by the PA DEP. That inspection report records details of the events, along with the potential code section citations that MIGHT be in violation.
And it is typical to see four or more individual code sections cited for a single, accidental spill. To make matters more confusing, there might be follow-up PA DEP inspections for the single event, especially during slip remediation, where the inspector will visit a site multiple times after the original report while remediation is ongoing. Each subsequent inspection record notes the same (original four-to-five) potential code section violations, again. Meaning these subsequent inspections for the same event/occurrence will appear as additional counts or violation lines in the PA DEP Oil and Gas Compliance Report.
This dynamic occurs frequently during slip remediation/repairs while operators are waiting on permits or permit modifications for long periods to perform remediation, and inspectors are visiting the site frequently. This gives the perception that CNX or other operators are committing hundreds of violations that accumulate one after the other. But the reality is that a single event (a slip or spill) that was self-reported will generate in PA DEP records multiple violations under multiple code sections.2 It may not be logical or ideal, but it is the law. Thus, we follow it.
Dare to Know!
CNX has been around this region for 160 glorious years. Our team members were born here, live here, and desire to stay. Our kids and parents breathe the same air and drink the same water as everyone else. One simply cannot separate CNX and the community, no matter how hard they try…or how harshly they name-call.
It’s why we jumped at the chance to embrace Radical Transparency. And it’s also the foundational reason why CNX works diligently with the regulatory community to self-report any incident, to efficiently abate any violation, and to always work with the agency to correct or improve the system.
We have a duty to respond in writing to NOVs we receive from PA DEP. And while we may disagree with the number of citations cited/interpretation of the law, CNX rarely takes the step to appeal the violations we receive, preferring to work instead with our regulators to resolve outstanding issues quickly and efficiently. Because when issues can be resolved without applying undue strain on PA DEP resources and taxpayer dollars that a costly appeal process entails, the outcome is better for all Pennsylvanians.
CNX will continue to disclose the data for NOVs across federal, state, and local regulatory agencies in our Corporate Sustainability Report, along with the penalties we have paid, for our entire operating footprint.
So now you know, as Paul Harvey would famously say, the rest of the story.
The next time those carnival barkers splash around ‘over 400 violations’ and ‘untrustworthy’, remember what is really going on here. Knowledge is power.
Indeed, we should heed Immanuel Kant’s famous adage to ‘dare to know.’
1 A spill is defined as any release of a regulated substance causing or threatening pollution of waters of the Commonwealth, or a release of five gallons or more of a regulated substance over a 24-hour period that is not completely contained by secondary containment. A slip or slide describes movement of soil, including topsoil, resulting in failure of stabilization along the surface potentially leading to erosion and sedimentation.
2 The numbers discussed include the dozens of individual violations noted in the PA DEP Oil and Gas Compliance Report that misidentify CNX as the ‘responsible operator’, but have been rescinded due to an error by the inspector, or are accidental duplicates entered in the system.
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The Policy Blueprint for Appalachia’s Clean Hydrogen Success
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
As governments and energy developers advance low-carbon innovations and technologies to build a nationwide hydrogen economy, using captured fugitive methane from coal mines, also known as coal mine methane or CMM, is emerging as a significant pathway to realizing clean hydrogen aspirations in the Appalachian region.
This week, CNX Resources’ Brent Bobsein, Vice President of Sustainable Development, testified before the U.S. Department of Treasury on securing the right tax credit formula (45V) to unlock the full value of CMM-produced hydrogen, which aligns with the Administration’s priorities, creates and preserves local jobs, lowers emissions, and redefines the energy transition in our region.
The following is an excerpt from Brent’s testimony:
CNX has a legacy of CMM capture for beneficial use, and our projects comprise the majority of CMM mitigation in the U.S. today. We are actively pursuing new CMM capture project development opportunities and are the anchor in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), which was awarded up to $925 million in funds from the Department of Energy (DOE) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This follows our extensive work with DOE’s Argonne National Labs, the National Energy Tech Laboratory (NETL), the EPA’s Coal Mine Methane outreach program, and the Global Methane Initiative.
Distinct from coalbed methane, CMM is waste methane that must be liberated for mine safety and is currently responsible for 8-10% of U.S. methane emissions. Notably, CMM emissions are not regulated under any current framework – venting is required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), however, capture rates are low, productive use is declining, and the problem is forecasted to get worse with time.
Abandoned and inactive mines continue to vent CMM decades after mining is complete. CMM capture for beneficial use is a permanent solution to an unabated problem.
Many of the above-mentioned agencies and peer reviewed academic journals note 100% of CMM would be vented if we maintain the status quo, therefore CMM capture to hydrogen is an impactful opportunity for methane abatement that solves a current emissions and pollution problem that won’t simply go away by continuing to ignore it. This is also represented in the CMM and the Waste Methane Capture pathway in R&D GREET 2023.
Utilizing CMM as an input to hydrogen not only makes sense, but can help ensure that the 45V program is an efficient investment into real, actionable, and measurable pollution reductions, while creating jobs in disadvantaged energy communities forced to the fringes by energy poverty. Recognizing the methane abatement benefits of CMM also ensures synergies with other federal programs such as the hydrogen hub initiative.
The Technicalities
In order to fully unlock this hydrogen opportunity unique to Appalachia, we first urge Treasury to follow the lifecycle science that has been part of the GREET (Greenhouse gasses, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model for a decade. Methane avoidance credits that can lead to negative lifecycle emissions should be established based on rigorous review of hard facts describing counterfactual scenarios, not arbitrary limitations that skew the objective recognition of climate benefits.
This isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a must have:
- For CMM emissions that are going unaddressed and forgotten by all federal policy – this solution offers significant pollution reduction.
- For CMM to productive use projects that are closing, not opening – this solution offers economic justification to change the course.
- For global CMM emissions, which are getting worse, not better – this offers a sustainable framework.
- For Appalachian communities hardest hit by the energy transition – this offers a lifeline.
If emissions avoidance accounting and blending of carbon intensities (CI’s) is not allowed in the 45V program, no new CMM capture for beneficial use projects will be developed. This is a direct contradiction to the direction established by former Climate Envoy John Kerry and various other policies both nationally and internationally: European and Asian countries recognize methane avoidance accounting as do ISO standards, the World Business Council for Sustainable development, and domestic programs such as the federal renewable fuel standards (RFS) and state-level LCFS programs.
Secondly, Treasury is considering certain limitations on Anti Abuse and perverse incentives for waste generation. Specific to CMM:
- Every cubic foot of methane that is captured for beneficial use from coal mines would have been liberated to atmosphere instead (as established extensively by third-party peer reviewed studies that trace methane in mines).
- Even after a mine closes, abandoned and sealed sections of mines continue to vent CMM to atmosphere.
- Mine operators are obligated to submit a ventilation plan to MSHA that details how and to what degree methane is liberated to the atmosphere.
The question of whether incentivizing waste methane capture at coal mines could result in more coal mining and thus lead to increased indirect emissions from CMM has also been thoroughly reviewed (amongst others, by the California Air Resources Board). It was found that incentivizing the capture and productive use of CMM will not lead to new coal operations.
Capture project operators, the technology deployment, and even the gas itself are often completely independent from the mining operators. The incentives that would be applicable under the IRA would not impact mine operational plans with respect to development or production activities. The value of methane incentives as contemplated in the IRA are not substantial enough to alter mining plans, as new coal operations require billions of dollars of investment per project.
Incentives recognized under the IRA would be used by capture project operators to fund necessary infrastructure for the capture and productive use of waste methane and provide investment justification for new project development.
If deemed absolutely necessary, we request that Treasury examine the practical implementation of any restrictive measures. The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) in general, while being an accurate record of obligated reporting, is not a GHG inventory tool, and is not appropriate to be the basis of these provisions because:
- 99% of mines in the U.S., including abandoned mines, surface mines, and certain underground mines are not obligated to report to GHGRP.
- Global Energy monitor estimates that active mine CMM emissions are 2-3x higher than GHGRP.
- The highest fugitive methane volume from CMM production typically occurs within the first six months of the life of a source. If a productive use project were obligated to wait for the mine operator to report the source to GHGRP before connecting to a productive use project, ~50% of the volume associated with the life of the source would be vented to atmosphere prior to a connection to productive use.
- This policy would create the unintended consequence of requiring methane liberation to atmosphere as a pre-condition to subsequent qualifying productive use.
Lastly, the First Productive Use measure cannot be implemented as-is, since it prohibits investment into clean, gas-based hydrogen development. If maintained in any form, additionality must be determined on a borehole-basis, as investment decisions for capture and beneficial use are made per borehole. If, instead, First Productive Use were to be applied at a mine level, it would disqualify the largest and most impactful CMM reduction opportunities. Even existing capture facilities require incentives to continue capturing CMM, as high operating expenses risk the closure of capture and the switch to venting. This is evidenced by the trend of closing productive use facilities (66% over the past 10 years).
In a nutshell, CNX wants to invest in new CMM capture projects for productive use, but cannot currently find the economic justification to do so – the 45V program is uniquely positioned to drive large-scale methane abatement. This is important to us, to our community, to the climate, and to the future of domestic policy.
We applaud Treasury’s recognition of CMM as an important part of the 45V program and Treasury’s process of rigorously analyzed implementation specifics. We again urge Treasury to follow lifecycle science and the lawmaker’s documented intent when authoring the program and look forward to opportunities to bring forth facts in addressing Treasury’s questions.
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Pre-Drill/Post-Drill Water Sampling: What do my results mean?
By Carrie Crumpton, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy
As we initiate our Radical Transparency program to expand the information we are providing to the community on residential drinking water quality, both before and after drilling, we wanted to get some important information out about drinking water analysis. We are committed to helping residential water source owners to not only understand the condition of their drinking water supply, but also find resources to evaluate, rehabilitate, and find appropriate treatment solutions for pre-existing water quality challenges. So let’s explore some of these aspects in this edition of Context Corner, starting with:
Hey Carrie, why is an environmental service company contacting me to collect water samples?
As a gas operator, we utilize independent third-party consultants to collect residential drinking water samples (pre-drill samples) from nearby water supplies prior to the start of drilling a new gas well.
What is the purpose of collecting the water samples?
We do this to establish a baseline for water quality in an area ahead of development. We follow the specific state regulatory or technical guidance guidelines but are taking that several steps further by collecting multiple samples, up to a year in advance, to gain a detailed understanding of water quality in an area. Additionally, we also take post-drill water samples for approximately one year after drilling has been completed to ensure the drinking water source was not adversely impacted by our well development activities. You are being contacted so that you are aware of the legal requirements and to establish suitable, convenient times to come collect these samples.
Where do you collect the samples from?
We are collecting water samples from private residential drinking water supplies (wells or springs utilized for drinking water, animal husbandry, or other residential use) within a state prescribed radius of a proposed well location (in Pennsylvania this is 2,500 feet, but varies state to state).
The samples will be collected directly at the water source. This means that the sample will be collected before it goes through any type of treatment system.
When does this sampling take place?
The pre-drill water samples will be collected before the drilling of the well has started. In accordance with our new initiatives for our unconventional well development, we will endeavor to collect four pre-drill samples. Typically, we try to schedule the first pre-drill sample to be collected one year before drilling starts, with additional samples taken seasonally (around every three months). There will also be four post-drill samples taken. The first post-drill water sample will be collected after well development has been completed, and additional samples will be collected approximately every three months.
Why are you collecting multiple samples?
We’ve heard from our communities and residents that they want clear information related to human health and natural gas development. Drinking water quality is a critical concern, and CNX is committed to providing data where we can and helping residents understand the best practices and steps that can be taken to ensure supplies are meeting safe drinking water standards.
Additional samples provide more data. Additional data can provide a comprehensive picture as to the condition of your water supply. Of course, water quality from private water wells can vary significantly from area to area. Water-bearing zones can contain naturally occurring contaminants, bacteria, and naturally occurring methane. And these conditions can change throughout the year. There are normal fluctuations that occur in water supplies due to changing seasons and a variety of other factors, including the construction and maintenance of the water wells themselves, that can impact water quality. Additional samples help us capture that information and can provide insight into the various factors that could impact your water quality.
So now for the most important question: How do I read my sample results? What does this analysis show?
The quick answer is that by looking at your results and knowing how to compare those results to the applicable safe drinking water standards, you can identify if your water is okay to drink. It can show if your water supply may have some creepy critters or chemical contaminants in it.
CREEPY CRITTERS!?!?
We are talking about micro-organisms here. Specifically, we are talking about coliforms. Coliforms in water are bacteria that are typically found in the environment and primarily in the feces of humans and animals. They may not cause illness by themselves, but they indicate that the water could be contaminated by harmful organisms (pathogens). Some types of coliforms, such as E. coli, can cause serious disease. Typically, total coliforms are found in water sources that have been influenced by surface water and in human or animal waste. Unfortunately, studies show that millions of people in rural areas in the U.S. do not have reliable access to safe drinking water and are often exposed to microbiological contaminants through improperly treated drinking water.

A recent nationwide analysis of U.S. Census and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) data identified Appalachia as one of the U.S. regions with the highest rates of water quality violations and numbers of households without complete plumbing1. Many states, including Pennsylvania, do not regulate private water wells, and standard best practices for construction, maintenance, and treatment aren’t always applied to ensure well installation isn’t contributing to water quality issues.
For drinking water, the EPA has recommended that ideally there should be no coliforms present in drinking water.
…AND CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS!?!?
Certain elements or chemicals can sometimes be introduced into ground water through various surface activities. At certain levels, some of these chemical contaminants (such as iron and manganese) are not so much of a health concern, but instead more of a nuisance. Other chemical contaminants may have health effects if they are consumed for many years.
CNX follows the technical guidance provided by state regulatory agencies to develop the list of parameters we test to monitor for and protect against impacts from oil and gas operations. Your results will compare these parameters to the EPA list of the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for drinking water. MCLs are basically the highest level of a contaminant that is recommended in drinking water.
The full list of MCLs can be found here: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) chart, but to illustrate what this may look like, we have provided an example table below. If you are going to be drinking this water, you want your drinking water results to be below the MCLs.
You may notice that some of the chemical contaminants in your water sample results are not listed on the MCL chart. These chemical contaminants do not have MCLs, but they are listed because they may help an investigator to identify what has caused a change in a water supply. For example, conductivity is typically in the range of 0-1200, but if there is a significant increase in this number, that may indicate that there has been an influx of minerals into your water supply. If that’s the case, this may show up as an increase in the amount of sodium, total dissolved solids (“TDS”), and/or calcium, so we would begin analyzing those numbers as well. This additional data can be crucial in determining what is causing changes to a water supply and the effect of those changes on any health concerns such drinking water may pose. As mentioned earlier, additional data can provide a better picture as to the condition of your water well.
After your water has been sampled, CNX will review your water sample results and send you a copy for your records. CNX compares your water sample results to the MCLs. Then the water sample results will be compared to previous samples (if any) that were taken from your water supply. CNX will be looking for any MCL exceedances or fluctuations between the samples. Exceedances and large fluctuations will be flagged and evaluated, and any exceedances and/or large fluctuations identified in post-drill results will initiate an investigation by the CNX Environmental Team and/or your state regulatory agency. As part of the investigation, CNX and/or your state regulatory agency may request to take additional samples.
Results from your water analysis may vary in appearance, depending on the laboratory. However, you can expect to receive a package of information with the lab results regardless of the lab utilized. These can be several pages in length and include a lot of information about your water quality and all the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) requirements the labs must follow. When reviewing your results, please note that there is a summary page that compares your results to the MCLs. An example is provided below and demonstrates how your results may be flagged if they exceed primary or secondary drinking water standards.

If you have any questions for CNX about your water sample results, you may E-mail directly to radicaltransparency@cnx.com and someone will respond to the request via communication of your indicated preference.
To further demonstrate our commitment to the communities where we live and work, the CNX Foundation plans on establishing a program to provide grant/funding opportunities to help community members more effectively evaluate the condition of their private water wells and water quality, and secure water well maintenance and treatment options. As part of our Appalachia First vision and our commitment to making tangible, impactful, and local investment, we are committed to establishing resources to assist on this front. Stay tuned for more information on this and other exciting community initiatives being led by the CNX Foundation.
Additional resources:
More from Context Corner:

CNX Hosts Westmoreland County Community Open House
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
On February 28th, roughly a dozen members of the CNX Operations team hosted an open house at the Washington Township Fire Department in Westmoreland County. Team leaders from permitting, land, construction, drilling, completions, water, safety and environmental were on hand to answer questions from residents about current and future CNX operations in the area.
Each team hosted a table with information on their current activities where residents could engage with them directly. “We were there to answer questions, not talk at people,” said Cody Craker, Vice President of Operations. “I’m no good at speeches anyway, so it was good to hear what people are curious about and go from there.”
More than 5,000 invitations were sent to residents in communities across northern Westmoreland County. Questions ranged from “how does drilling work?” to well traffic patterns, water well testing, and air quality monitoring. CNX employees were also available to discuss the Radical Transparency initiative, which will begin its monitoring and public disclosure program near Westmoreland County well sites in the coming weeks.

Another topic of discussion was water usage. Since the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County issued a water conservation notice in November of 2023, questions have been raised regarding the impact of natural gas companies on water levels in Beaver Run Reservoir. CNX water and completions teams informed residents that the company had not drawn water from Beaver Run since July of 2023, and that gas companies as a whole accounted for barely 1% of total water usage over the entire year.
“I think sometimes people hear opinions or see things other people post on social media and they just don’t know what to think,” said Kyle Stefancik, Land team Surface Manager. “I’ve lived in this area for a long time and once you have a chance to explain what’s actually happening, it puts everyone at ease.”
The company is committed to continuously improving the way operations are integrated into the community, and that starts with meeting residents face to face.
“This is important for us because we want to hear what people are concerned about and its best when we hear it directly from them,” Erika Whetstone, Director of Permitting. “For example, I spoke to a woman who was worried that the lights on our sites would be too bright, so we are working to see if we can use different lighting in certain places or shut them off entirely. It’s better when we can have a conversation about it rather than going back and forth online.”
“Lots of people wanted to know about the sand we use for hydraulic fracturing,” said Vice President of Completions Eric Luckey. “It’s literally sand like you’d find on the beach. It props the fractures open so the gas can escape. Some people just want to know the basics. Others have very detailed questions. We’re here for all of it.”
Director of the CNX Foundation Mentorship Academy Dr. Shani Yeldell was also present to share how the Foundation is working locally to give back to the community. The Mentorship Academy opens doors to promising careers for high school students who are interested in starting their careers directly after high school graduation. The Academy currently serves several students from Westmoreland schools, and several more are recent Academy graduates.

“This is all about Radical Transparency,” said Craker. “Whether we’re posting air quality online so everyone can see it, or we’re just sitting here talking with someone from down the road, we want everyone to understand how things work because we believe natural gas development is such a good thing for our region.”
Related Stories…

CNX Hosts Westmoreland County Community Open House
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
On February 28th, roughly a dozen members of the CNX Operations team hosted an open house at the Washington Township Fire Department in Westmoreland County. Team leaders from permitting, land, construction, drilling, completions, water, safety and environmental were on hand to answer questions from residents about current and future CNX operations in the area.
Each team hosted a table with information on their current activities where residents could engage with them directly. “We were there to answer questions, not talk at people,” said Cody Craker, Vice President of Operations. “I’m no good at speeches anyway, so it was good to hear what people are curious about and go from there.”
More than 5,000 invitations were sent to residents in communities across northern Westmoreland County. Questions ranged from “how does drilling work?” to well traffic patterns, water well testing, and air quality monitoring. CNX employees were also available to discuss the Radical Transparency initiative, which will begin its monitoring and public disclosure program near Westmoreland County well sites in the coming weeks.

Another topic of discussion was water usage. Since the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County issued a water conservation notice in November of 2023, questions have been raised regarding the impact of natural gas companies on water levels in Beaver Run Reservoir. CNX water and completions teams informed residents that the company had not drawn water from Beaver Run since July of 2023, and that gas companies as a whole accounted for barely 1% of total water usage over the entire year.
“I think sometimes people hear opinions or see things other people post on social media and they just don’t know what to think,” said Kyle Stefancik, Land team Surface Manager. “I’ve lived in this area for a long time and once you have a chance to explain what’s actually happening, it puts everyone at ease.”
The company is committed to continuously improving the way operations are integrated into the community, and that starts with meeting residents face to face.
“This is important for us because we want to hear what people are concerned about and its best when we hear it directly from them,” Erika Whetstone, Director of Permitting. “For example, I spoke to a woman who was worried that the lights on our sites would be too bright, so we are working to see if we can use different lighting in certain places or shut them off entirely. It’s better when we can have a conversation about it rather than going back and forth online.”
“Lots of people wanted to know about the sand we use for hydraulic fracturing,” said Vice President of Completions Eric Luckey. “It’s literally sand like you’d find on the beach. It props the fractures open so the gas can escape. Some people just want to know the basics. Others have very detailed questions. We’re here for all of it.”
Director of the CNX Foundation Mentorship Academy Dr. Shani Yeldell was also present to share how the Foundation is working locally to give back to the community. The Mentorship Academy opens doors to promising careers for high school students who are interested in starting their careers directly after high school graduation. The Academy currently serves several students from Westmoreland schools, and several more are recent Academy graduates.

“This is all about Radical Transparency,” said Craker. “Whether we’re posting air quality online so everyone can see it, or we’re just sitting here talking with someone from down the road, we want everyone to understand how things work because we believe natural gas development is such a good thing for our region.”
Related Stories…

CNX Hosts Westmoreland County Community Open House
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
On February 28th, roughly a dozen members of the CNX Operations team hosted an open house at the Washington Township Fire Department in Westmoreland County. Team leaders from permitting, land, construction, drilling, completions, water, safety and environmental were on hand to answer questions from residents about current and future CNX operations in the area.
Each team hosted a table with information on their current activities where residents could engage with them directly. “We were there to answer questions, not talk at people,” said Cody Craker, Vice President of Operations. “I’m no good at speeches anyway, so it was good to hear what people are curious about and go from there.”
More than 5,000 invitations were sent to residents in communities across northern Westmoreland County. Questions ranged from “how does drilling work?” to well traffic patterns, water well testing, and air quality monitoring. CNX employees were also available to discuss the Radical Transparency initiative, which will begin its monitoring and public disclosure program near Westmoreland County well sites in the coming weeks.

Another topic of discussion was water usage. Since the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County issued a water conservation notice in November of 2023, questions have been raised regarding the impact of natural gas companies on water levels in Beaver Run Reservoir. CNX water and completions teams informed residents that the company had not drawn water from Beaver Run since July of 2023, and that gas companies as a whole accounted for barely 1% of total water usage over the entire year.
“I think sometimes people hear opinions or see things other people post on social media and they just don’t know what to think,” said Kyle Stefancik, Land team Surface Manager. “I’ve lived in this area for a long time and once you have a chance to explain what’s actually happening, it puts everyone at ease.”
The company is committed to continuously improving the way operations are integrated into the community, and that starts with meeting residents face to face.
“This is important for us because we want to hear what people are concerned about and its best when we hear it directly from them,” Erika Whetstone, Director of Permitting. “For example, I spoke to a woman who was worried that the lights on our sites would be too bright, so we are working to see if we can use different lighting in certain places or shut them off entirely. It’s better when we can have a conversation about it rather than going back and forth online.”
“Lots of people wanted to know about the sand we use for hydraulic fracturing,” said Vice President of Completions Eric Luckey. “It’s literally sand like you’d find on the beach. It props the fractures open so the gas can escape. Some people just want to know the basics. Others have very detailed questions. We’re here for all of it.”
Director of the CNX Foundation Mentorship Academy Dr. Shani Yeldell was also present to share how the Foundation is working locally to give back to the community. The Mentorship Academy opens doors to promising careers for high school students who are interested in starting their careers directly after high school graduation. The Academy currently serves several students from Westmoreland schools, and several more are recent Academy graduates.

“This is all about Radical Transparency,” said Craker. “Whether we’re posting air quality online so everyone can see it, or we’re just sitting here talking with someone from down the road, we want everyone to understand how things work because we believe natural gas development is such a good thing for our region.”
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How $4 Million from one CEO is Transforming Southwestern PA’s Workforce
By Positive Energy Hub staff
Mentoring youth to discover their individual paths in life is essential not only for personal prosperity, but also for bridging the existing skills gap faced by the Appalachian region and America as a whole.
For the last three years, the CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy has been doing just that: opening career doors for local youth, helping them learn from the region’s best and brightest to become impactful citizens, workers, and family members – without needing a college degree.
It was the brain-child of CEO Nick Deiuliis who, having grown up in a working-class environment south of Pittsburgh, realized many high schoolers – particularly those in underserved rural and urban communities – aren’t aware of the vast career opportunities available out of high school and right in their backyard. In order to reach those students and bridge them to family-sustaining careers, they needed to be matched with mentors with whom they could connect with and seek guidance on a regular basis.
It’s the very embodiment of CNX’s company-wide Appalachia First strategy, which invests in the people, resources, and talent locally to improve the lives and communities within.
“We are on a mission to change the trajectory of our region and to improve the lives of our neighbors in communities left behind by a system focused on talk and abstract concepts rather than real outcomes,” Deiuliis said of the Academy’s initial launch.
“This commitment is not about words; it’s about the people who make western Pennsylvania and the broader Appalachian region such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.”
The Mentorship Academy is funded through executive compensation reductions, where $1 million from Deiuliis’ salary launched the program in 2022. In 2023, $1.5 million was contributed and helped expand offerings, such as adding a healthcare-focused career track with UPMC and establish the Youth Education Partnership with CCAC, as well as other programming enhancements.
Yesterday, CNX’s Board of Directors approved Deiuliis’ request to once again make a $1.5 million donation to the CNX Foundation, which will expand the Mentorship Academy and boost offerings with CCAC, support community-directed projects, and boost existing partnerships in underserved rural and urban communities across Appalachia.
The $4 million investment from Deiuliis’ compensation over the years has helped the Mentorship Academy grow by leaps and bounds. Since the very first class stepped foot at CNX Center in 2021, the Mentorship Academy has gone from 11 students to a class size of 45 in 2023.
Now in its third year, the 2023-2024 cohort is made up of 80 students from across the region and covers career paths ranging from energy and manufacturing to healthcare, hospitality, real estate and the building trades.
Other additions include Dr. Shani Yeldell, Psy.D., who was brought on last spring as the Academy’s Community Relations Manager to help students and their counselors determine post-high school career and educational paths.
“One of the goals I want to focus on with the MA students is helping them understand what resources they need to achieve their goals – whether that means getting their driver’s license or ensuring they have their birth certificates – whatever they need to start their lives after high school. These may seem like small steps, but they matter greatly and can often feel daunting,” Dr. Yeldell said.
The impact of the Mentorship Academy program is far-reaching. High school students can gain experience in a college environment as well as a pathway to a lifelong career. Future employers receive access to a diverse, innovative and previously untapped talent pipeline of skilled workers. The economic health of the region’s communities also improves as Mentorship Academy students are provided with new entry points into corporate careers that were previously inaccessible.
These proven outcomes of the CNX Mentorship Academy directly engaging and supporting entry into the industry – creating life-long employment opportunities – represents the ability for CNX’s human capital efforts to unlock barriers for underserved rural and urban communities across the region.
“We said when we created the CNX Foundation that the approach would target community investments that are Tangible, Impactful, and Local. That effort has been a great success, and I can’t think of anything more impactful than the virtuous circle of investments in our communities in need that, in turn, pay dividends to our company and our industry,” Nick Deiuliis said.
“So, I am happy to help fund the expansion of the successful efforts of the CNX Foundation in a way where it is most beneficial to the region and to the shareholder owners of CNX.”
Related News
How $4 Million from one CEO is Transforming Southwestern PA’s Workforce
By Positive Energy Hub staff
Mentoring youth to discover their individual paths in life is essential not only for personal prosperity, but also for bridging the existing skills gap faced by the Appalachian region and America as a whole.
For the last three years, the CNX Foundation’s Mentorship Academy has been doing just that: opening career doors for local youth, helping them learn from the region’s best and brightest to become impactful citizens, workers, and family members – without needing a college degree.
It was the brain-child of CEO Nick Deiuliis who, having grown up in a working-class environment south of Pittsburgh, realized many high schoolers – particularly those in underserved rural and urban communities – aren’t aware of the vast career opportunities available out of high school and right in their backyard. In order to reach those students and bridge them to family-sustaining careers, they needed to be matched with mentors with whom they could connect with and seek guidance on a regular basis.
It’s the very embodiment of CNX’s company-wide Appalachia First strategy, which invests in the people, resources, and talent locally to improve the lives and communities within.
“We are on a mission to change the trajectory of our region and to improve the lives of our neighbors in communities left behind by a system focused on talk and abstract concepts rather than real outcomes,” Deiuliis said of the Academy’s initial launch.
“This commitment is not about words; it’s about the people who make western Pennsylvania and the broader Appalachian region such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.”
The Mentorship Academy is funded through executive compensation reductions, where $1 million from Deiuliis’ salary launched the program in 2022. In 2023, $1.5 million was contributed and helped expand offerings, such as adding a healthcare-focused career track with UPMC and establish the Youth Education Partnership with CCAC, as well as other programming enhancements.
Yesterday, CNX’s Board of Directors approved Deiuliis’ request to once again make a $1.5 million donation to the CNX Foundation, which will expand the Mentorship Academy and boost offerings with CCAC, support community-directed projects, and boost existing partnerships in underserved rural and urban communities across Appalachia.
The $4 million investment from Deiuliis’ compensation over the years has helped the Mentorship Academy grow by leaps and bounds. Since the very first class stepped foot at CNX Center in 2021, the Mentorship Academy has gone from 11 students to a class size of 45 in 2023.
Now in its third year, the 2023-2024 cohort is made up of 80 students from across the region and covers career paths ranging from energy and manufacturing to healthcare, hospitality, real estate and the building trades.
Other additions include Dr. Shani Yeldell, Psy.D., who was brought on last spring as the Academy’s Community Relations Manager to help students and their counselors determine post-high school career and educational paths.
“One of the goals I want to focus on with the MA students is helping them understand what resources they need to achieve their goals – whether that means getting their driver’s license or ensuring they have their birth certificates – whatever they need to start their lives after high school. These may seem like small steps, but they matter greatly and can often feel daunting,” Dr. Yeldell said.
The impact of the Mentorship Academy program is far-reaching. High school students can gain experience in a college environment as well as a pathway to a lifelong career. Future employers receive access to a diverse, innovative and previously untapped talent pipeline of skilled workers. The economic health of the region’s communities also improves as Mentorship Academy students are provided with new entry points into corporate careers that were previously inaccessible.
These proven outcomes of the CNX Mentorship Academy directly engaging and supporting entry into the industry – creating life-long employment opportunities – represents the ability for CNX’s human capital efforts to unlock barriers for underserved rural and urban communities across the region.
“We said when we created the CNX Foundation that the approach would target community investments that are Tangible, Impactful, and Local. That effort has been a great success, and I can’t think of anything more impactful than the virtuous circle of investments in our communities in need that, in turn, pay dividends to our company and our industry,” Nick Deiuliis said.
“So, I am happy to help fund the expansion of the successful efforts of the CNX Foundation in a way where it is most beneficial to the region and to the shareholder owners of CNX.”
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In the Field with Greg Zofchak
By CNX Human Resources Team
Our success would not be possible without the tireless work of our engineers. As we kick off National Engineer Week, it’s a privilege to showcase one of our veteran drilling engineers – Greg Zofchak.
Greg is a born-and-raised Appalachian engineer working to safely provide reliable American energy. Meticulous planning and using data to drive decision making is how he contributes to the team of drilling engineers working across the region. On this episode of In the Field, Greg gives viewers insight on a day in the life of the engineers safely developing the Appalachian Basin’s abundant natural gas supply.
Drilling engineers are responsible for the planning of wells, working hand-in-hand with drilling superintendents to optimize the production of clean Appalachian natural gas. CNX is proud of its local workforce and the job opportunities created by the natural gas economy across southwestern Pennsylvania, and Greg exemplifies this culture that’s deeply rooted in Appalachia.
“It’s a good full-circle to be able to come back to this area and work in the oilfield…I guess it was the boom of the Marcellus that got me back,” Greg said.
After growing up in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Greg received his engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before starting his career drilling in Louisiana. Now living and working in his hometown, Greg feels it’s his duty to protect the surrounding area while on the job.
“Living and working in your home area, your hometown – obviously you want to take care of it and do things that are right,” Greg underscored. “You have family and friends that are depending on you and you want to bring the best you can to this area.”
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Context Corner Edition 5 – Data is in! What is it saying?
By Carrie Crumpton, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy
CNX recently completed the horizontal drilling phase of four wells at the MOR9 pad in Greene County, PA. As we shift our monitoring focus over to the hydraulic stimulation phase on this pad, people want to understand how to put the data into context.
Hey, Carrie, what did we see as a result of our monitoring activity during drilling? Is it what we expected?
First, I think we need to talk a little about our expectations. Due to the nature of drilling and the activity on pad, I believe we did expect to see some occasional downwind contribution of PM2.5 simply because four diesel powered generators (nearly 7500 horsepower) were running to power the rig and ancillary equipment. Drilling activity also relies on logistical support provided by diesel truck traffic for equipment deliveries, drill cuttings removal, and cement deliveries (which provides the cement necessary to install/secure the protective casing in the well bore).
While we haven’t taken the step to perform confirmatory analysis of where the particulate matter (PM) originated, we do see indicators that these activities coincided with and may have contributed to what we observed on the monitors, and that aligns with our expectations.
While we have truck traffic on site during drilling operations, it is interesting to note that during the height of our activity, which is typically during cementing activity, a drilling pad can see around 15 highway trucks during a 24-hour period. These trucks are making cement and other deliveries and hauling away cuttings. This peak horizontal drilling activity occurred for about 8 days at MOR9 spread over the two-month horizontal drilling window. Consider this pad activity in the context, for example, of the number of school buses that drive through the parking lots where children go to school each day – one Washington County school district has 34 buses (or similar transport vehicles) that run daily, twice a day, totaling 68 vehicles driving through the parking lot during a 24-hour period, 180 days, every year. This begs the question, what is the impact of these emissions on local air quality and local resident health? Is there a focus on transparently monitoring, measuring, and reducing these emissions? If not, we believe there should be and CNX has provided a template not just for the natural gas industry, but for any activity that produces emissions and has the potential to impact community health and wellness.
What we can also confirm is that during the monitoring period of the horizontal rig from November 14, 2023, until demobilization of the equipment around January 10, 2024, PM2.5 24-hour averages were well below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 35 micrograms/cubic meter (µg/m3) (24-hour standard). The downwind average for the period of time covering horizontal drilling operations (6.71 µg/m3) shows there is better air quality, in terms of PM2.5, on this pad than there generally is in Allegheny County, which had a 2022 PM2.5 Level (Annual Average) of 8.52 µg/m3, as published in Clearing the Air 4.01, a report that focuses on the region’s air quality improvements since 2000 and how this region compares to other metropolitan areas. Note that these averages are below the USEPA Annual Average PM2.5 Standard of 12.0 µg/m3. Additionally, the average differential between our upwind monitor and our downwind monitor that we observed is just over 3 µg/m3. We are providing these preliminary observations as we continue to analyze and learn from the detailed data that we collected. Even though we are below any regulatory standards, we are committed to continuous improvement and we are correlating the readings with our operational activities so we can do just that.
We also noted (as displayed in the graph below) that the upwind monitor trends generally aligned with the PADEP monitor at Holbrook, which we utilized for the regional background, lending to confidence in our data and approach.
CNX will continue to analyze the data to identify improvement opportunities; and provide additional analysis of the data as our program matures.
1Clearing the Air 4.0, 2022 Data, Air Quality Analysis November 2023, Pittsburgh Works Together
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CNX Renews Presenting Sponsorship for the Pittsburgh Penguins Black Hockey History Game
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
CNX will once again support the Pittsburgh Penguins’ annual Black Hockey History Game on Tuesday, February 6, when the team hosts the Winnipeg Jets at 7:00PM at PPG Paints Arena.
During the game, the NHL and the Pittsburgh Penguins will recognize the roles Black and African Americans contribute to hockey and our local communities. The national theme for Black History Month 2024, “African Americans and the Arts,” focuses on the profound impact that Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more. The following 2024 Penguins and CNX Community Impact Champions will be recognized at the game for their achievements and influence in the region:
- Emmai Alaquiva – Photographer, Ya Momz House, Inc.
- MaCalus V. Hogan, MD, MBA – Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery; Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery, UPMC
- Kendra Whitlock Ingram – President and CEO, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- Jazmiere Bates – Entrepreneur / Owner, Kin of Duncan
- Leon Ford – Co-Founder, The Hear Foundation
- Evan Frazier – President and CEO, The Advanced Leadership Institute
- Olando Dulin – Diversity Coordinator, Steel Valley School District
- Kevin Clarke – Community Liaison, Steel Valley School District
In addition to the game, the Penguins will celebrate Black History Month throughout February by sharing inspiring stories of historic resilience, connecting fans through their love for hockey and showcasing Black leaders and changemakers.
Through sharing the contributions of Black individuals over the course of hockey history, this sponsorship serves CNX’s Appalachia First vision to make a tangible, impactful and local difference within our community by bringing forth the previously overlooked voices and stories that contribute to the depth and diversity of Appalachian sports history. CNX is proud to support the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Black Hockey History Game, and we look forward to driving further positive impact on the social fabric of our region throughout 2024.
Learn more about this year’s Black Hockey History Game through the Penguins’ media release:
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Context Corner Edition 4 – Monitoring the Electric Frac Fleet
By Carrie Crumpton, CNX Vice President of Environmental Strategy
As we begin our Radical Transparency effort on the first hydraulic fracturing phase at MOR9, I’ve received several questions about the equipment that is on location during this phase of development; and curiosity is swirling around what we expect to see by way of air quality data.
Hey Carrie, what do you think the data will show when the electric frac fleet starts up?
Well, the short answer is “I’m not sure” because this is the first time we have monitored this phase of development 24/7 under our new Radical Transparency standards. While relatively short in duration from a well development standpoint, hydraulic fracturing is the most energy intensive phase of well development. This phase of development requires an expansive list of equipment, such as high-pressure, high-volume frac pumps, blenders for fluids, and storage tanks and handling equipment for water and sand. But what I am sure of, is that the air quality contributions are significantly lower today than they were prior to 2018, which is when CNX became a first mover in the Appalachian basin and committed to a long-term agreement with Evolution Well Services on a 100 percent electric fracturing fleet. And I am sure that our team, including our partners at Evolution Well Services, stand ready to monitor and respond to the data we see as a result of this real-time initiative.
What does this mean?
Essentially, it means that CNX has already reduced PM2.5 and other air quality contributors significantly since 2018 by replacing diesel engines with Evolution’s reliable electric frac fleet, which utilizes clean-burning natural gas(1) to run a turbine generator package. Evolution’s patented and innovative designs also reduces the footprint of the frac spread, thereby reducing truck traffic required for mobilization and demobilization, and eliminating crane and forklift needs. All these aspects contribute to significant reductions in Particulate Matter (PM) and greenhouse gas emissions. Evolution has been dedicated to understanding the emissions profile for their equipment and have invested significant resources toward researching a wide spectrum of emissions data (actual operating data). Studies show that PM7 (a particle size of 7 microns in diameter) were 90% lower when an electric fleet was used vs. a traditional Tier IV diesel fleet.
CNX will be monitoring and commenting on site activity on our website/data platform as the data comes in. In the meantime, please check out some of the information on the history our partnership with Evolution Well Services at the following links:
“As a first mover with Evolution’s patented technology in Appalachia, CNX showed its commitment finding the optimal way to complete wells with lower emissions, smaller footprint, and highest efficiencies. Evolution Well Services is proud to partner with CNX Resources on 100% electric hydraulic fracturing, and it is exciting to see CNX’s innovative approach to producing natural gas in Appalachia while also committing to be a great neighbor to the local community.” – Nick Ruppelt, COO at Evolution Well Services
1 – According to US EPA’s AP-42: Compilation of Air Emissions Factors from Stationary Sources, natural gas emits 200x less PM than the same heat input as diesel fuel.
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In The Field with Brandon Vandyke
By the CNX Human Resources team
It’s an In The Field double feature!
For the first In The Field of 2024, we follow Automation & SCADA Control Foreman Brandon Vandyke, who literally keeps the lights on at CNX facilities and, indirectly, across the nation. Brandon installs and services electrical equipment at well pads and compressor stations that move enough natural gas every day to power a city. See what his job entails.
Brandon and his team, which includes 2021 Mentorship Academy graduate Reiss Coole, help ensure the electrical infrastructure, devices and systems – the backbone of our operations – are safely and reliably maintained. Regular inspections, tests, and troubleshooting are conducted by CNX technicians to mitigate and quickly address issues to avoid operational disruptions.
Vandyke explains that his job is “kind of like working a puzzle—you know what the end result has to be, but you have to figure out what’s preventing you to get there.”
As one of our core values, Responsibility means safety is a top priority for CNX and the natural gas industry as a whole. Our foremen and technicians are cornerstone to the robust safety standards we practice and hold ourselves to.
These proactive safety measures at everything from our well pads to compressor stations optimize operational performance and better protect area employees and local residents.
“Appalachian energy is more than just producing gas—it’s economic stability and reaching out and giving back to the community,” Vandyke noted. As a native of Southwestern Virginia with a family history in the oil and gas sector, Brandon takes pride in his contributions to meeting Appalachia’s energy needs.
From installation to maintenance and servicing, it is skilled technicians like Brandon that ensure the advanced power systems running natural gas operations are resilient and, most importantly, safe. We’re grateful for the skillsets Brandon brings to the team, as well as his direct contributions to developing clean, Appalachia-produced natural gas.
Want to learn more about I&E technicians in the natural gas field? Watch this special In The Field Extra with Brandon as he walks through a typical day.
More In The Field

Q3 2023 CNX Resources Earnings Conference Call
