Sen. Ferlo Intends to Introduce Pennsylvania Moratorium Bill
WFMJ reports that State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) announced that he will introduce Senate Bill 1100 next week, which will place a moratorium on new permits for hydraulic fracturing. The bill, known as the Natural Gas Drilling Moratorium Act, will also seek to create a commission to analyze the agricultural, economic, environmental and social effect of Marcellus Shale drilling. WESA indicates that such a commission would be comprised of seven individuals from various backgrounds, including a nonprofit environmental organization, an academic institution, the oil and gas industry, a geologist, a medical or public health expert, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources. The bill would halt any new permits for natural gas drilling. StateImpact reports that the bill does not provide a time limit on the proposed moratorium.