Friday, April 29, 2016

House Environmental Committee Meets May 3 On IRRC Approval Of DEP Drilling Regs

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee announced late Friday it will meet on May 3 to consider a response to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission approval of  DEP’s final Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78a (unconventional, Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations.
The House and Senate Committees both disapproved the drilling regulations, largely along party lines, prior to the April 21 approval.
Although the meeting notice does not say so, the most likely action by the Committee is to report out a House/Senate concurrent resolution disapproving the regulations.
The Senate and House would then have 30 calendar days or 10 voting session days, whichever is longer, from the date the resolution is reported out of Committee to pass the concurrent resolution and present it to the Governor for his action.
The Governor can then sign or veto the resolution.  His veto is subject to being overridden by both the Senate and House by two-thirds vote.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, issued a statement April 22 (Earth Day) calling for action on a House/Senate disapproval resolution on the drilling regulations.
The meeting will be held in the House Majority Caucus Room, Room 140 starting at 10:15 a.m.
Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: jmaher@pahousegop.com.  Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net.
Related Stories:
PA Supreme Court Denies Appeal Challenging DEP Drilling Regs
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