The House Republican Policy Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing October 31 in Waymart, Wayne County to hear testimony on the impact of the permanent drilling moratorium being proposed by the Delaware River Basin Commission.

The hearing is being hosted by Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne) who sponsored House Resolution 515 urging DRBC to suspend consideration of a moratorium.  The resolution was adopted by the House October 17 by a party-line vote of 101 to 83 (Republicans supporting).

The hearing will feature testimony from local elected officials, residents and community leaders. Testifiers will discuss the impact such a ban would have on the region’s jobs, economy and access to affordable, domestic energy.

Witnesses expected to testify include: Brian Smith, Wayne County commissioner; Jim Barbour, Susquehanna County Farm Bureau; Vince Phillips, Pennsylvania State Grange and Pennsylvania Septage Management Association; Debbie Gillette, Chamber of the Northern Poconos; Thomas Shepstone, Shepstone Management Company; Tim Riefler, Wayne County farmer; Anthony Ventello, Progress Authority; and Ned Lang, Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens.

A resolution adopted by the DRBC in September calls for publishing proposed regulations enacting a ban no later than November 30.

In April a U.S. Federal District Court judge threw out a lawsuit by a group of Wayne County landowners who said the Delaware River Basin Commission lacks the authority to review and approve natural gas facilities on land owned by the group.

The hearing will be held at the Parc Pavilion, Camp Ladore, 287 Owego Turnpike, Waymart, Wayne County starting at 10:00.  Click Here to watch the hearing online.

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Mifflin) serves as Chair of the Committee.

Related Stories:

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[Posted: Oct. 27, 2017]

10/30/2017