PRINTER'S NO. 676
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
600
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY RAPP, CAUSER, OBERLANDER, JAMES, PICKETT, GABLER,
SANKEY, BAKER, COHEN, McGINNIS, KAUFFMAN, GRELL, MURT AND
MOUL, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
FEBRUARY 24, 2015
AN ACT
Establishing the Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council; and providing for duties of the Pennsylvania Grade
Crude Development Advisory Council and the Department of
Environmental Protection and for administrative support.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
Grade Crude Development Advisory Council Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in the section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Council." The Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council.
"Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
the Commonwealth.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Environmental Protection of
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the Commonwealth.
Section 3. Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council.
(a) Establishment.--The Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development
Advisory Council is established.
(b) Composition.--The council shall consist of the following
members:
(1) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or the secretary's designee.
(2) The Secretary of Environmental Protection or the
secretary's designee.
(3) Two members of the Senate appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate.
(4) Two members of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5) The following members appointed by the Governor:
(i) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania
Independent Petroleum Producers.
(ii) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania
Independent Oil and Gas Association.
(iii) Two representatives of the Pennsylvania Grade
Crude Oil Coalition.
(iv) Two representatives of refineries of
Pennsylvania grade crude oil.
(v) One representative of a nonprofit corporation,
which has the purpose of promoting the history and
economic benefits of the conventional oil and gas
industry in this Commonwealth.
(vi) One representative of academia who is a
geologist with an expertise in petroleum geology.
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(vii) One representative of academia who is a
hydrologist.
(c) Chairperson.--The council shall elect a chairperson from
among its members.
(d) Meetings.--The council shall meet upon the call of the
chairperson, but not less than semiannually. A simple majority
of the members shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Terms.--
(1) Except as stated in paragraph (2), the legislative
members of the council shall serve two-year terms commencing
with the first Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years and
may be reappointed upon reelection to office.
(2) Of the initial members appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, members shall serve until the first Tuesday
in January of the first odd-numbered year after the end of
the year during which this section takes effect.
(3) Of the initial members appointed by the Governor:
(i) Four members shall serve initial terms of one
year.
(ii) Four members shall serve initial terms of two
years.
(iii) Three members shall serve initial terms of
three years.
(4) After the initial terms, individuals appointed by
the Governor shall serve for a term of three years.
(5) Individuals appointed by the Governor may be
appointed to successive terms.
(f) Vacancies.--Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder
of an unexpired term in the same manner as original
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appointments. A member, upon expiration of the term, shall
continue to hold office until a successor is appointed.
(g) Quorum.--A majority of the membership of the council
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Action may be taken on a matter before the council by a majority
vote of the full membership of the council.
(h) Compensation.--Council members may not receive
compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all
necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of their duties as members.
Section 4. Study and report.
(a) Study.--The council shall:
(1) Examine and make recommendations regarding existing
technical regulations promulgated under 58 Pa.C.S. (relating
to oil and gas) and policies implemented by the department
that impact the conventional oil and gas industry of this
Commonwealth.
(2) Develop a regulatory scheme that provides for
environmental oversight and enforcement specifically
applicable to the conventional oil and gas industry.
(3) Ensure that its study addresses the need to preserve
the long-term viability of the conventional oil and gas
industry.
(b) Report.--The council shall issue a report of its
findings and recommendations under subsection (a) to all of the
following:
(1) The Governor.
(2) The Secretary of Environmental Protection.
(3) The President pro tempore of the Senate.
(4) The Minority Leader of the Senate.
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(5) The chairman and minority chairman of the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the Senate.
(6) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(7) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(8) The chairman and minority chairman of the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Deadline.--The council shall submit the report under
subsection (b) within 180 days of the effective date of this
section.
Section 5. Duties of council.
The council shall have the following duties:
(1) To assist the secretary and provide written comments
on new departmental policy that will impact the conventional
oil and gas industry of this Commonwealth, including economic
consequences.
(2) To review and comment on the formulation and
drafting of all technical regulations promulgated under 58
Pa.C.S. (relating to oil and gas).
(3) To provide institutional support for the
conventional oil and gas industry of this Commonwealth by
ensuring effective cooperation and communication among
governmental agencies and the academic and research
community.
(4) To recommend appropriate measures relating to the
promotion and development of the conventional oil and gas
industry of this Commonwealth.
(5) To develop a plan to increase Pennsylvania grade
crude oil production to more adequately supply the refineries
which depend on Pennsylvania grade crude oil.
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(6) To develop a joint working group with the department
to explore and develop economically viable production water
management options.
Section 6. Duties of department.
The department shall have the following duties:
(1) To consult with the council on all policies and
technical regulations promulgated under 58 Pa.C.S. (relating
to oil and gas).
(2) To include any written comments of the council
received before the department's submission of a proposed
rulemaking package to the Environmental Quality Board, as
part of its submission to the Environmental Quality Board.
Section 7. Administrative support.
The Department of Community and Economic Development shall
provide administrative support, office space and any other
technical assistance required by the council to carry out its
duties under this act.
Section 8. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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