Pennsylvania's New Fracking Law

At first glance, the sweeping new law signed this month may seem a good deal for local communities. Over the next 15 years, the state is projected to rake in between $190,000 to $355,000 per gas well; 60 percent of that will go back to counties and municipalities, with the rest going to a state-managed fund for infrastructure projects. Proponents in the Republican-controlled legislature insist that the law levels the playing field for industry, while rewarding counties.

But fracking can be a messy and dangerous business, and locals complain that the law takes control away from citizens who have battled hard for local decision-making.

Watch the video and you'll see a tale of two Pennsylvanias: The first one, recognizable from Josh Fox's documentary Gasland, is Susquehanna county, bordering New York State. It is dotted with wells—the result of minimal local zoning laws. The second Pennsylvania is Dallas Township, where disputes, protests, and citizen engagement have kept most fracking development at bay. For now.

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[Liz Rosenbaum]

As soon as they passed HB 1950 two of the wealthiest and most populated counties in the state, outside Philadelphia, were exempted - Bucks and Montgomery. Philadelphia county has a moratorium. If fracking is so safe then why not there, too? The law is currently under review by the state supreme court.

[watchperfection]

That dumb lib wrapped it up nicely "she's crazy"

[somps33]

I'm fracking sick of following those scummy Sewer Trucks driven by carnies and jailbird rejects from other states!!! They've invaded every facet of our life.

[Sinsemilla4u]

The bill requires drillers only to replace, not clean up, private and public water supplies that they contaminate. So, if gas drillers pollute a water supply, they only need to bring in a water buffalo or other replacement H2O, not clean up. The most unbelievable part is on Page 99 of the bill which prevents Drs. from revealing the chemicals for which they are treating patients from drilling areas. That indicates that the industry knows that substances it is using are a threat to public health.

[Sinsemilla4u]

Other things that are not brought up here in terms of the new law. The measure allows DEP to grant drilling permits when the gas drilling company is in violation of laws elsewhere in the state. Almost every other statute administered by the DEP requires DEP to deny permits if the applicant has unresolved violations of law elsewhere in the commonwealth. *continued*

[Sinsemilla4u]

Of course we need jobs and money (most states do), but we need clean water too. I am not against fracking, I am just for better regulation of the industry, and safer methods. At this moment I have a pipeline next to my house, and have already dealt with the water contamination issue (not methane, black chemical mud), and they've found the same black sludgy mud in streams and, in some cases, peoples yards all over our county.

[jdcatskinner]

we where and are the first texas do ur homework before u run ur mouth the first oilwell and the first commerical gas well was drilled in pa this state is broke and we need jobs and money

[killgreed]

I will just keep watching the same parts over, & over, until the end, so I go over it well.