Efforts to Kill Gas Industry Disguised as Environmental Protection

Originally published by the Times Leader.

Newly proposed regulations on Pennsylvania natural gas purport to protect the environment. However, the restrictions, if passed, would shut down an industry that has moderated electricity rates and reduced the cost of gas, saving consumers billions.

Under consideration in the state House of Representatives and at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are new setback requirements that would increase minimum distances between gas wells and both structures and water supplies—some by as much as a mile—without conclusive scientific data to support it.

“Aside from states that have effectively banned drilling, Pennsylvania has the most stringent setback distances of the five top hydrocarbon-producing states,” says Patrick Henderson, vice president of government affairs and communications for the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC).

Read more at the Times Leader.