On July 22, the long-anticipated final report of the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission was released. This groundbreaking 137-page report contains a vast array of non-binding policy recommendations pertaining to Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom ranging from zoning reform to mineral rights. Included among these are a series of recommendations that could substantially transform Pennsylvania’s existing environmental policy landscape in the coming months.
Pursuant to Executive Order 2011-01, Gov. Tom Corbett formed a 30-member advisory commission, led by Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, in March. The commission was given 120 days to issue the final report and held five public full-commission hearings during this timeframe. The commission divided itself into four working groups: infrastructure; local impact and emergency response; economic and workforce development; and public health, safety and environmental protection. These working groups met separately during the 120-day term and ultimately produced the recommendations that were voted upon by the full commission at their last meeting on July 15. In addition, the commission traveled as a group to Clinton and Lycoming counties to observe natural gas drilling operations first-hand.
