House panel OKs drilling rules
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HARRISBURG -- Local rules for gas drilling would be null and void under the Marcellus Shale legislation swiftly approved by a House panel on Wednesday, highlighting a key obstacle in crafting a drilling oversight measure.
The bill's party-line vote immediately drew criticism for the meeting's hasty announcement hours after a draft of the measure was posted on the General Assembly's website.
The panel approval marked the first steps that the House has taken this session toward an assessment on drillers and tougher regulations.
It also means that both the House and Senate have bills primed for quick floor votes when the General Assembly returns to session on Nov. 14.
The House GOP-drafted measure closely matches the impact fee plan outlined by Gov. Tom Corbett and the environmental protections suggested by his Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. It also includes a provision to use royalty dollars from gas wells on state-owned land to fund environmental initiatives.
But the section drawing the loudest concerns from Democratic members of the House Finance Committee, environmental advocates and others was a provision stating that statewide rules would supersede all local ordinances regulating oil and gas operations.
Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, said that would strip municipalities of their ability to protect residential areas from drilling activity.
The state's township supervisors association strongly echoed that criticism after the meeting.
"This would be intrusive on communities, on residents and on taxpayers," said David Sanko, the association's executive director.
Republicans on the panel defended the move as similar to how the state regulates construction activities. Rep. Eli Evankovich, R-Murrysville, said if the state beefs up its Oil and Gas Act provisions to address issues like excessive noise and light, localities would feel less of a need to strengthen their own rules.
His hometown of Murrysville has been crafting a drilling ordinance that would address issues including noise, traffic and use of retention ponds.
"There's still work to be done," Mr. Evankovich said, noting that he's talked to his leadership and the governor's office about clarifying that section. "But it's a good start."
Mr. Sanko disagreed, saying that the state is too large and diverse for "one-size-fits-all" rules from Harrisburg.
The provision for superseding the local rules was circulated by the Corbett administration before it was inserted into the House measure. While Mr. Corbett has been mum as the Senate has taken several steps toward approving a fee, the House committee vote drew an encouraging statement from his office.
First Published November 3, 2011 12:00 am
