Act 13 and why it has opposition
The public
and environmental outcry over act 13 comes from the viewpoint that it allows
businesses to practice hydraulic fracturing without needing the public’s
approval. The concern is that Act 13 is politicians to sell the country for
personal gains. The wording of "consolidating the Oil and Gas Act with
modifications and additions relating to definitions... inspection and
production of materials, witnesses, depositions and rights of entry, third
party liability and inspection reports;" The wording isn't specifically
clear here. Depending on the viewpoint of whoever is reading Act 13 this can
sound like standard oversight controls all the way to someone trying to strip-mine
the community for personal gains through kickbacks and under the table trading.
This is the short title of Act 13. Act 13 in its entirety is 174 pages long.
"An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for an unconventional gas well fee and for transfers from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund; providing for distribution of fees and transfers; establishing the Natural Gas Energy Development Program; consolidating the Oil and Gas Act with modifications and additions relating to definitions, well permits, permit objections, comments by municipalities and storage operators, well location restrictions, well site restoration, protection of water supplies, notification to public drinking water systems, containment for unconventional wells, transportation records regarding wastewater fluids, corrosion control requirements, gathering lines, well control emergency response, hydraulic fracturing chemical discharge requirements, bonding, air containment emissions, public nuisances, enforcement orders, well control emergency cost recovery, penalties, civil penalties, inspection and production of materials, witnesses, depositions and rights of entry, third party liability and inspection reports; providing for local ordinances relating to oil and gas operations and for responsibility for fee; making an appropriation; and making a related repeal."
( http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&&bn=1950 )
Regular Session 2011-2012
House Bill 1950
Opponents have complained that Act 13 gives too much authority to companies that want to extract natural gas. "Pennsylvania has adopted what may be the most anti-democratic, anti-environmental law in the country, giving gas companies the right to drill anywhere, overturn local zoning laws, seize private property and muzzle physicians from disclosing specific health impacts from drilling fluids on patients."
http://www.alternet.org/story/154459/fracking_democracy%3A_why_pennsylvania%27s_act_13_may_be_the_nation%27s_worst_corporate_giveaway
This story was written by Steven Rosenfeld on March 7, 2012.
As of 3/18/2013 it has not been cited according to http://scholar.google.com.
http://www.alternet.org/authors/steven-rosenfeld shows a list of other stories that Steven Rosenfeld has wrote for AlterNet
This is the short title of Act 13. Act 13 in its entirety is 174 pages long.
"An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for an unconventional gas well fee and for transfers from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund; providing for distribution of fees and transfers; establishing the Natural Gas Energy Development Program; consolidating the Oil and Gas Act with modifications and additions relating to definitions, well permits, permit objections, comments by municipalities and storage operators, well location restrictions, well site restoration, protection of water supplies, notification to public drinking water systems, containment for unconventional wells, transportation records regarding wastewater fluids, corrosion control requirements, gathering lines, well control emergency response, hydraulic fracturing chemical discharge requirements, bonding, air containment emissions, public nuisances, enforcement orders, well control emergency cost recovery, penalties, civil penalties, inspection and production of materials, witnesses, depositions and rights of entry, third party liability and inspection reports; providing for local ordinances relating to oil and gas operations and for responsibility for fee; making an appropriation; and making a related repeal."
( http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&&bn=1950 )
Regular Session 2011-2012
House Bill 1950
Opponents have complained that Act 13 gives too much authority to companies that want to extract natural gas. "Pennsylvania has adopted what may be the most anti-democratic, anti-environmental law in the country, giving gas companies the right to drill anywhere, overturn local zoning laws, seize private property and muzzle physicians from disclosing specific health impacts from drilling fluids on patients."
http://www.alternet.org/story/154459/fracking_democracy%3A_why_pennsylvania%27s_act_13_may_be_the_nation%27s_worst_corporate_giveaway
This story was written by Steven Rosenfeld on March 7, 2012.
As of 3/18/2013 it has not been cited according to http://scholar.google.com.
http://www.alternet.org/authors/steven-rosenfeld shows a list of other stories that Steven Rosenfeld has wrote for AlterNet
Why would anyone support this bill?
America will continue to need more energy
in the future. Right now the main source of the American energy is through
buying foreign oil. This leaves America vulnerable to the whims of foreign
pricing and the potential of even being able to purchase any oil. If America
was denied foreign energy it would affect a complete change in the daily lives
of Americans in a very short amount of time.
Act 13 is aimed at creating a regulating body for the state of Pennsylvania. The wording of the document can be brought into question but the need for a local homegrown American energy source to be found is undeniable. The bill will create a governing body by "establishing the Natural Gas Energy Development Program" that will oversee all aspects of the fracking operation. To supporters of the bill this sounds like someone is being given control to regulate and control a business practice that can have dangerous Sid effects if left unchecked.
The main argument for fracking is apparent by enabling the ability to reach natural gas more accessible.
Act 13 is aimed at creating a regulating body for the state of Pennsylvania. The wording of the document can be brought into question but the need for a local homegrown American energy source to be found is undeniable. The bill will create a governing body by "establishing the Natural Gas Energy Development Program" that will oversee all aspects of the fracking operation. To supporters of the bill this sounds like someone is being given control to regulate and control a business practice that can have dangerous Sid effects if left unchecked.
The main argument for fracking is apparent by enabling the ability to reach natural gas more accessible.