Water agency to publish gas drilling regulations

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP01539f691bec4cc08103242571a7f2e2.html
DECEMBER 9, 2010

Water agency to publish gas drilling regulations

WEST TRENTON, N.J. — The agency that oversees water quality and quantity in the Delaware River basin says it has finished work on proposed regulations for the natural gas drilling industry.

The Delaware River Basin Commission announced Wednesday that draft regulations will be available for public review beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The commission has declared a moratorium on Marcellus Shale drilling projects in the Delaware River basin until the rulemaking process is complete. The panel has jurisdiction because the drilling process will require the withdrawal of huge amounts of water from the watershed’s streams and rivers. The commission has also cited the potential for groundwater and surface water contamination.

Drilling is in full swing elsewhere in Pennsylvania.

The DRBC is a compact agency representing the federal government and the states of Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.