April 3, 2010

The House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing in Ebensberg on “Economic Development and Jobs within the Marcellus Shale Industry.” Those testifying at the hearing were:

• Terry Bossert, Vice President of Government Affairs, Chief Oil & Gas…testimony
• Jim Ladlee, Extension Educator, Penn State University…testimony
• Frank Thompson, Director Northern Tier Workforce Investment Board…testimony
• Eric Conrad, Project Manager of Oil & Gas Industry Partnership, North Central Workforce Investment Board…testimony
• Tom Murphy, of the Penn State Cooperative Extension recently gave a presentation to the House Joint Legislative Conservation Committee. To see his presentation, click here.

Legislation: House Bill HB 2235, which would establish a moratorium on the leasing of additional state forest land, was reported by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee by a vote of 16-9 Wednesday March 24^th. Four amendments filed by Representative Dave Reed were withdrawn and he made it known they would be offered on the House floor.

SB 1092 has received first consideration and remains in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The original bill required the operator to provide the DEP with a cement quality log or other approved method to ensure the adequacy of the cement used to encase the well. The bill was amended by striking the existing language and inserting requirements that the Environmental Quality Board promulgate regulations governing the design, construction, completion and operation of oil and gas wells to minimize the threat that migration of gas or fluids present to drinking water supplies and public safety. The effective date of the bill was changed from “60 days” to immediately. To read the bill, click here.

Next week and beyond: The House Environmental Resources Committee will hold a second hearing on HB 2213 in Shavertown, Luzerne County on Wednesday April 7. The bill would:

• Require the DEP to inspect Marcellus well sites during each drilling phase;
• Extend to 2,500 feet, from 1,000 feet, the presumed liability of a well polluting a water supply;
• Require disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing -- fracking -- of the natural gas from the earth;
• Update bonding requirements to cover the costs of decommissioning a well;
• Clarify local governments' traditional authority to regulate oil and gas activities. To read the bill, click here.
• Tentatively scheduled to testify are:
  • Jeff Schmidt, senior chapter director, Sierra Club, Pa. Chapter;
  • Dr. Thomas Jiunta, a local podiatric physician active in environmental causes;
  • Dr. Gere Reisinger, a naturalopathic physician whose 200-acre farm in Wyoming County has been affected by drilling;
  • Victoria Switzer whose water at her home in Dimock, Susquehanna County, was contaminated after nearby drilling;
  • Brady Russell, eastern Pa. director, Clean Water Action. State Rep. Phyllis Mundy of Luzerne County, will serve as host of the public hearing.

The House Republican Policy Committee is meeting on Wednesday April 7^th to hold a hearing on Marcellus Shale Water Issues at the Oak Place Community Center, 1055 Oak Street, in Indiana, PA at 10 am. Hearing Agenda

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Acting Secretary John Quigley of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on April 13^th. The House Democratic Policy Committee is conducting a hearing on the environmental impact of the Marcellus Shale and the Chesapeake Bay on Tuesday April 13^th in Williamsport at 10:30 am. The hearing is at the Lycoming College, Wendle Hall, Room D-001, 700 College Place. The University of Pittsburgh Institute for Politics Economic Development Committee & Local Government Academy is holding a half day conference in Monroeville on April 16. To see the agenda, click here.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued additional guidance including invited speakers and questions for a special en banc hearing being held on April 22^nd to examine PUC jurisdictional issues related to Marcellus Shale development. To view this press release in its entirety, click here.