Environmental Protection Agency -- Air quality data collected near a shale gas drilling well in Muskingum County suggests that air remains clean, OEPA officials announced Friday.   The agency, which began monitoring air quality at the site in April, said the results show no violation of the federal particulate matter pollution standards. Concentrations of the pollution, however, exceeded the federal threshold in June, but were likely caused by nearby road construction, OEPA officials said.  The agency will continue to collect data from the well sites for a least two years and plans to add more monitoring equipment.

Ohio residents can submit comments on new EPA rule proposals that would allow external organizations to administer water operator certification tests, through mid-November.  The public will also have the opportunity to partake in a hearing and present testimony on the rule proposals Nov. 13 in Columbus.  The proposed rules will allow organization to apply to become approved examiners, where if accepted they would give computerized water and wastewater certification exams throughout the state at a more frequent rate that the EPA. The proposed rules also set requirements for the certification process.