July 7, 2009

With no discussion or debate, SB 297 (Yaw) moved from the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee to the House floor.  The bill was not amended so unless it receives an amendment during floor debate it will be sent to Governor Rendell when it is considered. 

The bill; requires oil and gas well operators to submit a semi-annual report in addition to the existing annual report, removes the five-year confidentiality provision of oil and gas production reports and requires the DEP to post reports on their website.  An amendment adopted in the Senate; reinstates the requirement for non-Marcellus Shale well operators to only report annually, specifies that DEP must only publish well production reports online and directs DEP to use funds from permitting fees to pay for costs incurred under this legislation. To read the bill, click here.