Unanimously Passed Drilling Emergency Response Bill to be Signed by PA Governor

Although a comprehensive Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale bill is still heavily under negotiations, Governor Tom Corbitt is set to sign legislation that was unanimously passed by the Senate this week.  The legislation is designed to provide an emergency response plan and accurate GPS coordinates for each Marcellus Shale well site in Pennsylvania.  The measure introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker, a Luzerne County Republican, requires drillers to inform state and local officials of well pad locations and access roads.  They also must submit an emergency response plan to those officials, and post a reflective sign at the entrance to each well site with the address, GPS coordinates, the operator's emergency contact number and anything else state regulators decide to require.  The provisions of this law are to become effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature.  To view a full copy of the bill, click here.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0995&pn=1844