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For Immediate Release
March 9, 2010
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Senate Committee Re-Affirms Directive to DEP Ensuring Water
is Protected from Natural Gas Drilling
Harrisburg – The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired
by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21), unanimously approved six bills at its public
meeting today.
Among the measures approved was legislation that re-affirms the General
Assembly's directive to the state Department of Environmental Protection to
ensure that water supplies are protected from natural gas drilling.
Senate Bill 1092, amended to include a provision sponsored by Senator White,
requires the Environmental Quality Board to promulgate regulations governing the
design, construction, completion and operation of oil and gas wells to minimize
the threat that migration of gas or fluids present to drinking water supplies
and public safety.
The following bills were also approved by the committee:
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Senate Bill 1159
Authorizes the Department of General Services to enter into mineral leases
for state-owned land. (Sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-41)
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Senate Bill 1176
Requires mine permit fee adjustments be
done through regulation. (Sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-41)
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Senate Bill 1196
Requires mine permit fee adjustments be
done through regulation. (Sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-41)
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Senate Bill 1197
Requires mine permit fee adjustments be
done through regulation. (Sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-41)
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Senate Bill 1250
Requires 25 percent of fines or civil
penalties assessed under the Air Pollution Control Act be distributed to the
impacted municipality. (Sponsored by Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-9)
All bills, amendments and analyses are posted online at
www.senatormjwhite.com on the
"Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee" page.
CONTACT:
Patrick Henderson
(717) 787-9684
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