LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLAN: FEDERAL

As a result of the “Halliburton Exemption” in the 2005 Federal Energy Bill the gas and oil industries enjoy exemption from the Federal:
  • Clean Air Act
  • Clean Water Act
  • Safe Drinking Water Act
  • National Environmental Policy Act
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
  • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
  • Toxic Release Inventory under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
There is pending legislation in Congress, called the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act, that would remove the exemption under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Call your Senator and Representative to support the FRAC ACT. Senate (S 1215) and House (HR 2766)

STATE SENATE:

Senate Bill SB 1447 introduced by State Senator Jim Ferlo. The Senator is proposing a
minimum of a one year moratorium while a study commission is formed to analyze gas well drilling to
make recommendations on:
  • Proper protection for rivers, streams, and groundwater from drilling activities, including protecting drinking water, and managing waste water, storm water run-off, and spills;
  • Proper air quality regulations;
  • The disclosure and consequences of specific chemicals used by the drilling industry, including amounts used at each well site;
  • The appropriate permitting processes, drilling and well inspections, staffing levels, and other administrative responsibilities of the DEP;
  • How to handle liability and bonding at all well sites in the event of likely drilling disasters that pose an environmental nightmare, especially in remote areas;
  • The impact on the state labor market and on how to encourage job opportunities and procurement for Pennsylvania businesses;
  • The financial impact to host communities such as inadequate trucking routes and transport of contaminated water which is produced due to the type of drilling and fracturing method;
  • Property rights of both those leasing land and those adjacent to leased land; and
  • The cumulative impact of existing and likely proposed drilling in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale, including an analysis on water quality, air quality, land use, habitat, and human health.

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

There are several bills in the State House: HB 1155- the Surface Owner's Protection Act, HB 1489 – The Severance Tax Act, HB 2213 - An Environmental protection Act , HB 2214 – Minimum Royalty Act, HB 233 - Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Drilling Permit Moratorium Act.  Any and all legislation protecting the Landowners and the Environment from the abusive practices of the Gas and Oil Industry is a good thing. Contact your State Representative to voice your support.