Court issues split decision on natural gas drilling rules
A state court is upholding portions of Pennsylvania regulations for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling while also ruling in part on the side of an industry group.
By MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state court is upholding portions of Pennsylvania regulations for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling while also ruling in part on the side of an industry group.
A seven-judge Commonwealth Court panel on Monday issued a 91-page decision in a lawsuit brought by the Marcellus Shale Coalition against the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Quality Board.
The judges say state officials don't have the authority to mandate restoration of sites to their original conditions within nine of months of when drilling has ended.
But they're siding with the department and board in other respects, including rules for liquid impoundment ponds and how drillers must respond when nearby wells are affected by their activity.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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