PA Supreme Court Denies Appeal Challenging DEP Drilling Regs
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The PA Supreme Court Wednesday denied the appeal of Friday’s Commonwealth Court decision  denying a request by conventional oil and gas drillers to invalidate DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78a (unconventional) drilling regulations because they violated the provisions of a 2014 amendment to the Fiscal Code.

This action by the PA Supreme Court clears the way for the regulatory review process to continue and for the Independent Regulatory Review Commission to consider the regulations on April 21.

A copy of the PA Supreme Court’s denial is available online.

In his written opinion, Commonwealth Court Judge Colins Friday said on the issue of violating the Fiscal Code, “All three Respondents [DEP, Environmental Quality Board and the IRRC] argue that regardless of whether PIPP’s [PA Independent Petroleum Producers Association] assertions are accurate or legally meritorious, no relief can be granted to PIPP in this action because its claims are not ripe.  The Court agrees.”

A copy of the appeal notice is available online.

Related Stories:

Commonwealth Court Denies Challenge To DEP’s Drilling Regulations

4 Environmental Groups Urge IRRC To Approve DEP Drilling Regs Thursday

Senate, House Environmental Committees Disapprove DEP’s Drilling Regulations

COGENT Calls Committee Action To Disapprove DEP Drilling Regs A Travesty

IRRC To Consider Final DEP Drilling Regs April 21, Meeting To Be Streamed Live

DEP: Conventional Wells Had 3 Times The Violations Of Unconventional Wells In 2014

Analysis: Myth-- Conventional Oil and Gas Drilling Is Benign


4/25/2016

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