HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, said that Gov. Tom Corbett and the Republican-led House and Senate should act responsibly to protect Pennsylvanians from under-regulated gas drilling.
“The time has come for the people of Pennsylvania,” George said. “Governor Corbett has acknowledged the environmental risks and infrastructure destruction associated with industrial gas drilling, and now we must move forward in taking action.”
Recently, the governor said that an “impact fee” should be paid by drillers to help mitigate the costs to local governments and should provide money for infrastructure repairs and environmental programs.
George’s House Bill 1800, known as the “ProtectPA” legislation, would do just that – with no unrestricted revenue directed to the General Fund.
“My bill is comprised of three components,” George said. “All aspects of this bill – a reasonable severance tax with revenues directed to local governments, environmental programs such as Growing Greener, and infrastructure, as well as responsible environmental safeguards and a tax credit for companies creating jobs for Pennsylvanians – are provisions that any responsible lawmaker should support.”
House Bill 1800 contains many of the suggestions – increased setbacks of wells from water supplies, increased bonding requirements, and stricter penalties for violations – made by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer in a May 27 letter to Lt. Gov, Jim Cawley, then-chair of the governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.
Governor Corbett is expected to introduce impact fee legislation soon. Rep. George says a new bill is not necessary as HB1800 was introduced months ago and much of the bill was already vetted through committee meetings last session.
“I’ve introduced individual bills in the past that contained much of what is in “ProtectPA,” George said. “We held meetings on those bills, amended them to make them better, and this year we have bundled the package into a single piece of legislation.
“I call upon the governor and the GOP-led House and Senate to take action,” George said. “Let’s work together. I’m not against the gas industry, but first and foremost we must ensure safety for the people of Pennsylvania.”