The Connection for Oil, Gas & Environment in the Northern Tier had this reaction to Tuesday’s action by the Senate and House Environmental Committees recommending the Independent Regulatory Review Commission disapprove DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78a (unconventional, Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations update—

“We can't even begin to share our dismay of the ERE Committee's action urging the IRRC to disapprove both Chapter 78 and 78a oil and gas drilling regulations.

“28,000 comments submitted over a two year period. COGENT participated in numerous subcommittee meetings, provided testimony at numerous hearings and submitted written comments.

“These regulations are necessary and long over-due. Rural shale residents in the Northern Tier Region are worthy of improved regulations in the drilling fields where we reside.

“This action is nothing short of a travesty.”

Click Here to read the entire posting.

Emily Krafjack from COGENT was an ad hoc member of DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board advising the Department on issues related to unconventional drilling during the time DEP reviewed the regulations with the Committee.

NewsClips:

Drilling Rules Headed For Key Vote After Judge Rejects Stay

House, Senate Panels Reject Oil & Gas Regulations

PLS Reporter: House, Senate Committees Disapprove DEP’s Drilling Regs

Energy Committees Urge No Vote On New Drilling Rules

Oil & Gas Regulations Rejected By House, Senate Committees

Related Stories:

Commonwealth Court Denies Challenge To DEP’s Drilling Regulations

IRRC To Consider Final DEP Drilling Regs April 21, Meeting To Be Streamed Live

Conventional Drillers Tell Court Time Is Now To Decide Whether DEP Violated The Law

Senate, House Environmental Committees Disapprove DEP Drilling Regs

Senate Committee OKs Bills to Kill Conventional Drilling Regs, Delay Clean Power Plan

4/18/2016