The Governor’s Office published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda listing regulations various agencies have under development on February 2 (PA Bulletin page 765)      

On the list of DEP regulations is a proposal DEP expects to consider this year to increase permit fees for Marcellus Shale drilling permits as well as updates to oil and gas drilling and plugging requirements (page 761).

The full agenda begins in the PA Bulletin page 765.  DEP begins on page 759.  DCNR begins on page 757.

In an attempt to make up for drastic reductions in General Fund support for environmental protection efforts, DEP adopted a series of permit fee increases totalling about $26.5 million over the last four years. Click Here for background on DEP’s budget situation.

2/4/2013