House Committee Told DEP Needs 68 More Staff To Keep Up With Drilling

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee was told by the head of the Department of Environmental Protection that he needs "dozens" more people to keep up with the pace of natural gas drilling in theMarcellus Shale formation.

 

Acting DEP SecretaryJohn Hangersaid natural gas drilling could represent a $1 trillion economic opportunity for Pennsylvania saying that for every $1 billion in royalty income paid to landowners, nearly 8,000 jobs will be created. He said landowners could receive as much as $125 billion in royalty payments.

 

Asked if DEP had enough staff to handle the volume of applications, Acting Secretary Hanger said he requested 68 more staff in his 2008-09 budget request to deal with the workload which has increased from 4,500 permits in 2004 to 7,200 permits this year.

Acting Secretary Hanger also said an increase is needed in the $100 permit application fee which has not been changed since the Oil and Gas Act was passed in 1984.

 

"Gov. Rendell recognizes this potential (economic benefit to Pennsylvania) and has made facilitating this development, in a manner that is environmentally sound, one of his top priorities," Acting Secretary Hanger said.

Thomas Beauduy, Deputy Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, provided the Committee with an overview of how the Commission regulates water withdrawals needed in the deep drilling process.

 

Louis D'Amico, Executive Director, Independent Oil and Gas Association, outlined the economic potential of drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation.

Stephen Rhoads, President of the PA Oil and Gas Association, described the impacts the unique, horizontal drilling methods used to drill the deep 5,000 to 8,000 foot wells have on the environment. Rhoads also distributed awhite paper on hydraulic fracturingfor more background.

 

ThePA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubsprovided written comments to the Committee expressing it serious concerns about the "frenzy" taking place to drill natural gas wells, especially on state lands and game lands in particular. They also outlined concerns about the potential for water pollution from the use of water during the drilling process.

Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee andRep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.