Group Files Suit Over PA Gas Drilling Permits for Marcellus Shale
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August 31, 2009
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Environmentalists are challenging the way Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection is handing out permits for companies to drill for natural gas in the massive Marcellus Shale, which sits under 54 of the state's 67 counties. Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff attorney Matthew Royer claims the agency is not doing the environmental homework it should be.
Earlier this year, the state took over the authority to review proposed projects from county conservation districts. According to Royer, that removed from the picture the people most familiar with the environmental risks in certain areas.
"Local districts actually can work better proactively with the drilling companies to stay out of fragile areas and avoid environmental impacts."
Chesapeake Bay Foundation claims the state rubber-stamped two recent blueprints from companies that would put pipelines across trout streams and wetlands in Tioga County. The Department of Environmental Protection says it is reviewing the appeal and does not comment on pending litigation. The case will be heard by the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
In addition to taking over the review authority, the state also is fast-tracking projects and bypassing tests for stormwater runoff caused by construction, Royer says.
"They are making sure the paperwork is all there in the permit applications, but they're not doing any of the detailed review of the plans, which is the critical element to any environmental permitting program."
Royer says his group also wants Pennsylvania to do what nearly three-dozen states already have done: implement a natural gas severance tax on companies that want to drill there.
"Some of that money could be sent back into the local communities to offset any environmental impacts that do occur from the drilling."
More information is available from Matthew Royer, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 717-234-5550.