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PA Chamber: DEP Secretary's Comments Exemplify Agency's Approach To Marcellus Shale
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The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry this week called Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger’s recent comments on how Gov.-elect Tom Corbett will handle regulation of the Marcellus Shale industry unfair and unnecessary. In a Capitolwire (and a Tribune Review) article, Secretary Hanger questioned when Corbett would “annoy” the industry or do something to “upset the industry.”
The Tribune Review article quoted Secretary Hanger as saying, "(The new regulations) must be enforced to do any good. There is a concern about whether Gov.-elect Corbett will be a professional watchdog or, in his own words, a partner of the (drilling) industry. It's important DEP be neither friend nor foe of this industry."
“The Secretary’s comments are all too typical of his often antagonistic approach to an industry that holds tremendous economic potential for the Commonwealth,” PA Chamber Vice President Gene Barr said. “DEP’s role should never be to annoy job creators, but rather work with them to develop commonsense regulations that balance environmental protection with economic growth. The business community welcomes an administration that actually understands the benefits to all parties of this thoughtful, cooperative approach to governing.”
Kein Harley, a spokesperson for Gov.-elect Corbett told the Tribune Review, "It is rather unbecoming of an outgoing Cabinet Secretary to appear like a sore loser. Gov.-elect Corbett has called for some of the strictest environmental regulations on gas drilling of any state in the nation. It's unfortunate Secretary Hanger apparently never bothered to review those and instead is still engaged in political rhetoric."
Barr said while Secretary Hanger claims in state and national interviews to welcome the jobs the Marcellus Shale industry is generating, his rhetoric suggests otherwise.
Additionally, Barr said Secretary Hanger’s criticism of Corbett’s opposition to a natural gas severance tax – the proposal that had been under consideration would have made Pennsylvania among the highest, if not the highest, taxed Marcellus Shale state – shows his inability to differentiate between revenue issues and environmental issues, and demonstrates the secretary’s misguided view that Pennsylvania can tax, litigate, mandate and regulate itself to prosperity.
“The business community is confident that Governor-elect Corbett will ensure appropriate, commonsense regulation of the natural gas industry – a goal the industry itself supports – as well as ensure its full growth potential, which will benefit Pennsylvania’s local communities, individuals and families.”
NewsClips: Panel OKs New Gas Drilling Safeguards
Gas Well Regulation Clears Final HurdleNew State Drilling Regulations On The Way Tougher Gas Drilling Rules OK'd Gas Drilling Did Not Impact Water Well Official Said DEP Chief: Support For Well Controls Doubted Related Stories
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11/22/2010 |
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