PBPC Responds to Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission Report
July 22, 2011
The Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission issued its final report today, with recommendations that read like an industry wish list.
Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, issued the following response:
"We are disappointed by today's report. The commission has missed a golden opportunity to look at the broad impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling — both positive and negative. Instead, it has made recommendations that read like an industry wish list.
"The commission favors a local impact fee on drilling but limits its scope to demonstrated impacts. No other state structures it drilling tax or fee that way. It would be an administrative burden for many local governments in Pennsylvania, especially those in less populous counties.
"The commission also misses a real opportunity to consider how the state can support Marcellus Shale drilling in a way that boosts other industries, like steel, concrete and the service industries. Instead, it asks taxpayers to pay for incentives to create new markets for natural gas. This should not be the taxpayers' responsibility.
"Finally, this report fails to honestly address the broader statewide impacts from drilling, including air quality, water contamination, societal impacts and habitat disruption. Without this discussion, the report is incomplete."
