House Environmental Committee Holds Marcellus Shale Hearing April 7

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a public hearing on April 7 in Shavertown to explore the environmental risks associated with Marcellus Shale gas drilling in the Commonwealth.

           The hearing will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Kingstown Township Municipal Building, 180 E. Center St., Shavertown.
            Testimony will be presented about mitigating environmental risks and House Bill 2213, the Land and Water Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Bud George  (D-Clearfield).
            Tentatively scheduled to testify are: Jeff Schmidt, senior chapter director, Sierra Club, Pa. Chapter; Dr. Thomas Jiunta, a local pediatric 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; and Brady Russell, Eastern Pa. director, Clean Water Action.
           House Bill 2213 would require state inspections of Marcellus Shale well sites during each drilling phase; extend to 2,500 feet the presumed liability of a well polluting a water supply; require full disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing of the gas; update bonding requirements to cover the costs of decommissioning a well.
            Rep. George serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Minority Chair.

 


4/5/2010

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