Monday, October 21, 2019

Senate Passes Bill To Legalize Road Dumping Of Conventional Drilling Wastewater 26-23 Without Debate

On October 21, the Senate passed Senate Bill 790 (Scarnati-R- Jefferson) by a vote of 26 to 23 which sets environmental protection standards for conventional (not Shale gas) oil and gas well drilling and legalizes the road dumping of drilling wastewater from conventional wells.
There was no Floor debate on the bill.
Using a procedure usually used for last minute budget bills, the Senate took the vote immediately after the bill was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee without waiting.
Republicans generally supported the bill and Democrats opposed, both in the Appropriations Committee and in the final vote.
Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware) voted against the bill in Committee and Sen. Killion and Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) voted against the bill on the final vote.
Having the General Assembly adopt unique and separate standards for conventional oil and gas wells, even though conventional wells are being developing using fracking, and legalizing road dumping of brine are major priorities for the conventional industry and they have been pushing the issue hard.
The bill has been vigorously opposed by environmental groups, including the PA Environmental Council and the Environmental Defense Fund, and most Democratic members of the Senate. 
The bill now goes to the House for action. A similar bill-- House Bill 1635 (Causer-R- Cameron)--  is pending in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
Related Articles:
[Posted: October 21, 2019]  www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com
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