Gas Industry Opposes Lawmakers' Plan for New Regs
Charleston Gazette
18 November 2010
By The Associated Press
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Two groups that represent natural gas drillers
say permit fees a legislative subcommittee is proposing for Marcellus
shale wells could discourage or even cripple the fast-growing industry.
The West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association and the state's
Independent Oil & Gas Association also object to proposed
restrictions on drilling locations that they believe are based on
opinion and speculation, not science.
A 90-page draft bill presented to a joint judiciary subcommittee this
week would impose four permit fees ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 per
well, plus individual performance bonds of $25,000 per well.
Charlie Burd of the independent association says those amounts would
hurt small operators the most and could potentially shut down the
industry.