New York's approach to Marcellus Shale contrasted with Pennsylvania's.

[Bob K.]

Today's (12/29/09) Wilkes Barre "Citizen's Voice" has an editorial entitled "Drilling, environment go hand in hand." At the end it contrasts New York's approach to drilling with Pennsylvania's. It is well worth reading and considering Pennsylvania's historically casual approach to environmental concerns it does not give one cause for optimism about the state protecting it's water's and fishery's from pollution by the Gas industry.

Drilling, environment go hand in hand - Opinion - Citizens Voice

Bob K.

 

[Ryan R]

In my honest opinion from dealing with them, the Pennsylvania DEP (especially the mining division) is more like a spokesman or lobbyist for industry rather than a regulatory agency.

 

[Kilgour Farms]

PA mineral extraction laws are about 10-20 years behind NY's and where setup to invite the exploration of resources from the state. They are playng catch up with environmental safeguards.

You can't use PA and say it will happen in NY. NY with the GEIS has the toughest drilling laws in the country. What is needed is proper oversight.

NYC's letter to the DEC has a lot of possibly, maybe, could be. might, has potential to and thats just a couple of pages. Not many facts in the NYC letter for NYS to ban drilling in their water shed...

 

[Ryan R]

PA mineral extraction laws are about 10-20 years behind NY's and where setup to invite the exploration of resources from the state. They are playng catch up with environmental safeguards.

I agree with you here 100%. And proper oversight under the PaDEP is a joke. A lot like asking a 5yr old to look after a 1yr old, it 's not going to take long before something goes wrong.

 

[WBDluver]

My experience with the Pa DEP is that they are an useless organization. They will come down on the small and defenceless as though they are the guardians of the enviroment. However, if you are politically connected or have a lot of wealth to fight them, they slink back into the shadows and wont bother you. So the gas companies will have their way with drilling in Pa. Then the tax payers will be expected to pay for the damages.

 

[jamesfitzgerald]

Pennsylvania will have great advantage from the marcellus shale if it is securely and effectively formulated. Their will be an increase in occupation for the people in that area.