Pa. House, Senate approve drilling bills
Following three days of debate, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill to regulate natural gas drilling and impose impact fees on the rapidly growing business.
Earlier today, after the state Senate passed a similar bill Tuesday, the House voted 107-76 to approve the controversial bill that closely patterns Gov. Tom Corbett’s impact fee proposal.
Neither bill received support from Fayette County lawmakers in the House or Senate, and township supervisors have argued the legislation contains crippling provisions that will take away local government’s ability to handle zoning as it pertains to natural gas drilling and all other ordinances that pertain to the industry.
Supporters have said the legislation will stimulate the economy while helping protect the environment and providing revenue for burdened municipalities.
Corbett called House Bill 1950 a “strong Marcellus shale package, which promotes job growth, protects the environment and includes a responsible impact fee.”
The Republican-controlled Senate and House must now resolve conflicts between both bills. Negotiations between the House and Senate are expected to be difficult and take weeks, if not months, legislators said.
Read Friday’s HeraldStandard.com for more information.