Corbett took more than $835,000 from natural gas industry
Environmental groups protested Tuesday during the inauguration of Gov. Tom Corbett, concerned he will allow unchecked access to Pennsylvania’s rich natural gas reserves.
Several dozen protesters braved the cold and wet conditions Tuesday morning to protest Mr. Corbett’s swearing in ceremony. State police reported no incidents of violence and the ceremony was not disrupted by the protesters, though their signs were clearly visible to the crowd which gathered behind the Capitol’s east wing and their chants occasionally threatened to drown out the governor’s words.
Dana Dolney, one of the protesters, said she disagreed with Mr. Corbett’s decision to lift the ban on leasing state forest land for drilling, which Gov. Ed Rendell established November.
“When you take almost a million dollars from the gas industry to put you in office, you tell me who you’re going to be working for – the people of Pennsylvania or the gas industry,” said Ms. Dolnay.
Prior to issuing the moratorium on drilling in state lands, Mr. Rendell leased more than 400,000 acres of protected forest land to drilling companies as governor. On more than one occasion, he did so with no-bid contracts, which were criticized by conservatives and conservationists alike.
Nathan Sooy, a member of Clean Water Action, an environmental group, described Mr. Rendell as supportive of gas drilling but feared Mr. Corbett will leave the industry unregulated.
Mr. Sooy said the protesters wanted the current drilling regulations enforced in a “very aggressive way,” along with regular drill site inspections and a bonding requirement for the industry to cover any potential environmental damage caused by the drilling process.
According to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), more than 14,500 drill site inspections were carried out in 2009, the most recent year for which totals are available. In 2010, the department increased the permit fees for drilling companies, which paid for the hiring of more than 100 new gas well inspectors at no cost to the state’s taxpayers.
From 2005 to present, there have been 2,596 Marcellus shale natural gas wells drilled in Pennsylvania, according to DEP.
The DEP is responsible for issuing drilling permits and enforcing regulations, was closed Tuesday for the inauguration.
Mr. Corbett has nominated Michael Krancer, currently a judge on the state’s Environmental Hearing Board (EHB), as DEP secretary. The EHB is a statewide trial and appellate court for environmental cases.
Data from the state Department of Labor and Industry (DL&I) suggests the drilling industry is helping to keep Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate below the national average. In their December report on employment in the state, DL&I said total jobs in Pennsylvania grew by 1 percent during November, while jobs in the mining and logging sector – which includes gas drilling – climbed by 14 percent.
