WVEC Action Alert

February 14, 2011

TWO ACTION ITEMS

PUBLIC HEARING ON HB 2878 and HB 3042
Marcellus Shale Drilling Regulation Bills

WHEN:  Thursday, Feb 17, 3:30 PM
WHERE:  House of Delegates Chamber

The House Judiciary Committee has announced it will hold a public hearing this Thursday on the two bills that would regulate the drilling of Marcellus Shale Gas wells in West Virginia - HB 2878 and HB 3042. This is your chance to tell members of the committee what you think should be included in this important legislation.  Please arrive a few minutes early so you can sign up to speak.

Here is a document containing what the WV Environmental Council and the WV Surface Owners’ Rights Organization believe to be the essential elements needed for any Marcellus Shale regulatory bill.

Here is a list of provisions that are not included in either bill that we feel should be included:

  • A public notice and comment period for each permit application to drill a well
  • An actual water withdrawal permit system
  • Elimination of the General Permit for land application of pit water
  • Prohibition of the disposal of oil and gas well wastewater in underground mines
  • A ban on, or additional protections for, drilling in Karst geology
  • No burying of drilling pits on site
  • Testing of all flow-back water and drill cuttings for the presence of radioactiviy
  • A comprehensive statute and rules governing seismic exploration
  • Regulation of air quality at drilling sites

We hope to see you at the public hearing on Thursday.

Don Garvin
WVEC Legislative Coordinator, DSGJr@aol.com

Support for Slurry Injection Ban Bill Urgently Needed

As many of you know, the Alternative Coal Slurry Disposal Act (HB 2850 and SB 248) would permanently ban slurry injection in underground mines in West Virginia as well as create a tax incentive for companies that eliminate coal slurry from their preparation plants.
This bill is the culmination of years and years of work by the Sludge Safety Project, West Virginia Environmental Council, and concerned citizens across West Virginia. This year we have our best chance ever to pass this legislation.

The bill was passed by the Joint Interim Judiciary Committee last month with the recommendation that it be adopted by the full Legislature, a huge boost to our chances. We have the support of critical legislative leadership: our lead sponsors are House Majority Whip Mike Caputo and Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler. We believe that we have a real chance to make history by West Virginia becoming the first Appalachian state to ban slurry injection.

But we need your help to put us over the top! The bill has yet to be placed on a Judiciary Committee agenda in the House or Senate. We have to get it out of committee in the next two weeks to get a chance for a full vote in the Legislature. We strongly urge every West Virginian to contact their state legislators immediately and let them know that you want them to protect clean water for West Virginians and support the Alternative Coal Slurry Disposal Act.

Put your zip code in here to find out who your legislators are and how to contact them. Write letters, make phone calls, even send an email (yes they read them). We've been told over and over by legislators how important contacts from their constituents are.

Here are talking points and factsheets on the bill to help you. Creating change in this state takes every one of us. If you have ever supported the Sludge Safety Project's call for an end to slurry injection, safer coalfield communities, and a more responsible coal industry, the time to act is right now.
Contact info@sludgesafety.org with questions or comments. Thank you so much. We cannot do this without your support.