The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out bills to delay Pennsylvania’s response to EPA Clean Power Climate Plan requirements and kill DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) drilling regulations and make the agency start the rulemaking over. 

In a separate action, the Committee voted to disapprove DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78a (unconventional, Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations update and notify the Independent Regulatory Review Commission of its actions.

The IRRC is set to meet April 21 on DEP’s regulations.

The bills approved by the Committee included--

-- Senate Bill 1011 (Hutchinson-R-Venango) killing DEP’s final drilling regulations covering conventional oil and gas wells and starting the rulemaking process over.  This provision was vetoed by Gov. Wolf in the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1327 (Peifer-R-Pike).

--  Senate Bill 1195 (White-R-Indiana) to further delay a Pennsylvania plan for meeting EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan rule adding revised dates for reviewing the plan.  This provision was vetoed by Gov. Wolf in the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1327 (Peifer-R-Pike).

Ironically, both the House and Senate also passed resolutions this week urging all Pennsylvania’s to observe Earth Day on April 22-- Senate Resolution 348 (Hughes-D- Philadelphia) and House Resolution 771 (Murt-R-Adams).

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.

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

COGENT Calls Committee Action to Disapprove DEP Drilling Regs A Travesty

4/18/2016