THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY MUNDY, GOODMAN, HALUSKA, JOHNSON, KORTZ, MULLERY, MURPHY, PASHINSKI, SANTARSIERO AND STABACK, JANUARY 26, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JANUARY 26, 2011  

AN ACT

Providing for a moratorium on the issuance of new well permits

for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation.

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 Marcellus

Shale Natural Gas Drilling Permit Moratorium Act.

Section 2.  Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Marcellus Shale formation."  A carbonaceous, organic-rich

Middle Devonian-age black, low-density shale situated at the

base of the Hamilton Group and strategically positioned above

the Onondaga formation.

Section 3.  Moratorium.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is hereby

established a moratorium upon the issuance of new well permits

under the act of December 19, 1984 (P.L.1140, No.223), known as

the Oil and Gas Act, for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus

Shale formation in this Commonwealth. The purpose of the

moratorium shall be to provide additional time to enact and

approve appropriate laws and regulations to protect the public

health and safety.

Section 4.  Expiration.

The moratorium under section 3 shall expire one year after

the effective date of this section.

Section 20.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect immediately.