Without question, the single most important eco-issue facing Pennsylvanians today is Marcellus shale. How do we tap into this Saudi Arabian expanse of fossil fuel without destroying our drinking water, local communities and state forests? The issue crossed a major threshold last week when the governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, a panel representing a cross-section of government, municipal, environmental and industry representatives, released its long-awaited set of recommendations.
Unanimously adopted, the commission does not call for a tax – it was deliberately told not to – but does call for an “impact fee” to pay for damaged roads and increased police and emergency costs. Among its more controversial recommendations, the panel endorsed forced pooling – a landowner may have no choice allowing drilling if his neighbors agree – and statewide “one stop” permitting that some worry will supersede local zoning.
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Marcellus shale: Main Line legislators speak out - Main Line Times - Main Line Media News
