PA Lawmakers Take First Step In Effort To Block New Drilling Rules

by Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG (CBS) -- Battle lines have been drawn in the state capitol again, this time over a proposed overhaul of regulations governing oil and natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

On Tuesday, the state House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved a resolution rejecting the proposed drilling regulation update, approved last month by the state Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

Greg Vitali of Delaware County, ranking Democrat on the committee, says the regulations haven't been updated since 2001.

"These regulations are common sense regulations necessary to protect the public health and the environment," said Vitali.

But Allegheny County Republican John Maher, the committee chairman, says the process of drafting the drilling regulations was flawed.

"We have regulations that depart from the statutory requirements, depart from the Supreme Court's decisions," said Maher.

"If we don't do them right, all we're doing is making the problem the courts' problem," agreed Democrat Bryan Barbin.

If the full House and Senate agree to the resolution blocking the new regulations, it could face a veto by Governor Wolf.