Week 4 Course Project

1.Briefly, in 2-3 paragraphs, answer the following: What is Pennsylvania Act 13? Compare it to Vermont’s May 2012 legislation: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/Bills/Intro/H-464.pdf. Compare these with the New York State decision on local control of fracking found in Doc Sharing at <Middlefield_Decision.pdf.>.
The Pennsylvania Act 13, takes away representatives from different municipalities their ability to control gas drilling operations through local zoning, leaving them defenseless to protect homeowners, parks and schools from being surrounded by drilling sites or waste pits.
The Vermont’s May 2012 legislation is a bill proposes to prohibit the issuance of a permit for a discharge into an injection well for conventional or enhanced recovery of natural gas or oil. In 2011 there was zoning law in New York State effectively banning oil and gas drilling within the geographical borders of the township.

2.Using the studies, such as The Final Report on Unconventional Gas in Europe, write a brief 1-2 paragraph statement that discusses at least one specific country’s regulations (see page 5 for general information and pages 48, 49, and 50 for country-specific information.)
“Coal seam gas is a highly regulated industry that operates in Australia under strict guidelines and is answerable to several government agencies. CSG exploration and production is heavily regulated, working under strong rules on environmental management, water management, land access and other issues. CSG activities are covered by numerous pieces of legislation and several governmental agencies, all of which demand environmentally acceptable outcomes during exploration and production. Environmental and rehabilitation performance requirements are set as conditions on exploration and production permits. CSG companies must also lodge financial securities to ensure fulfilment of their obligations under the petroleum legislation. In Queensland, the state’s Water Commission has been appointed as the independent regulator of the CSG industry in relation to groundwater. It requires CSG producers to deliver regular groundwater impact statements and cumulative impact reports. It also enforces make-good obligations under the Water Act for any impact upon water supplies. This can include areas outside a CSG company’s immediate area of operations.”

3.On April 13, 2012, President Obama issued this executive order; briefly, in 1-2 paragraphs, explain what the order provides. You can find the executive order at this address (or look in Doc Sharing) http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/13/executive-order-supporting-safe-and-responsible-development-unconvention Provide links or citations to at least two other sources you have found that will be useful in writing about the above points.
President Obama’s issuing of the executive order provides creating jobs and economic benefits to the entire domestic production supply chain, as well as to chemical and other manufacturers who benefit from lower feedback and energy costs.

References

Begos, K. (2012). Pennsylvania Zoning Laws For Gas Drilling, Known As Act 13, Debated In State Supreme Court. Retrieved February 1, 2013 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/18/pennsylvania-gas-drilling-laws_n_1979334.html
Bill as Introduced (2013). Retrieved February 1, 2013, from http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/Bills/Intro/H-464.pdf
CSG (2012). Regulations. Retrieved February 2, 2013 from http://www.appea.com.au/csg/key-issues/regulation.html
The White House (2012). Statements on the President’s Executive Order Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources. Retrieved February 2, 2013 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/13/statements-president-s-executive-order-supporting-safe-and-responsible-d