BREAKING: New Gas Drilling Resolution Moving in PA Senate

This was passed along to me earlier today via TU’s Mid-Atlantic Policy team. As of 12:30pm we have learned that the Senate did not take up the resolution for vote. However, the Senate reconvenes Monday which is good news if you want your voice to be heard.

The following is the call to action I received at 10:24am today. That shows you how fast this stuff can move through without anyone noticing. Luckily, TU Mid-Atlantic Policy Team did and sent the word out. Please read the following and act appropriately. Below you can find a form letter rubric, provided by TU, that you can use as a guide to voice your concern. Thanks for protecting our favorite natural resource!

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Jan, 31, 2018 – 10:24 a.m.

Hi all,

A Senate resolution is moving quickly through the PA Statehouse urging the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to allow new drilling leases on state forest lands. See here.

The resolution cleared committee just yesterday and is set for a floor vote today.

 

TU opposes this resolution. As DCNR notes, industry already has access to nearly half of the 1.5 million acres of Marcellus shale accessible from state forest land. Pennsylvania’s 2015 moratorium on new leases does not prevent drilling on land that has already been leased, nor on land where the state does not own mineral rights. Notably, much of the land that has been leased has not yet been drilled.

Our position is that current policy protects against impacts on coldwater resources from a more expansive build-out of natural gas infrastructure in state forests.

Given the time constraints, we won’t have a chance to put together a letter to lawmakers, but I encourage you to call your state senate offices this morning to urge opposition to this resolution.

Find your legislator here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/

My name is [NAME], and I’m a member of the [CHAPTER NAME] chapter of Trout Unlimited.

I am calling to ask you to oppose Senate Resolution 104, which calls on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to allow new drilling leases on state forest lands.

Trout Unlimited advocates for responsible energy development, and supports practices and policies that avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts from natural gas infrastructure on our streams.

The shale gas industry already has access to nearly half of the 1.5 million acres of Marcellus shale accessible from state forest land. Pennsylvania’s 2015 moratorium on new leases does not prevent drilling on land that has already been leased, nor on land where the state does not own the mineral rights. Much of the leased land has not even been drilled yet.

TU is concerned about the impacts of a more expansive build-out of shale gas development in state forests on our coldwater streams and our fishing experience. These are special places to us, and we worry that broader industrial development puts them at risk.

I urge you to oppose SR 104.

Thank you for your time.

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