By Christina Gongaware, Contributing Writer
According to Propublica, a recent leaked email has revealed that oil and gas inspectors in the state will no longer be able to cite Marcellus Shale sites without prior consent from DEP top officials. Some are concerned that this will give Gov. Tom Corbett more power to override potential punishments for oil companies.
“What this apparently is saying is that before any final action, the inspector must get approval by two political appointees: the secretary (Michael Krancer) and the deputy secretary (John Hines),” said John Hanger, who headed the DEP under Gov. Ed Rendell. “It’s an extraordinary directive. It represents a break from how business has been done in the department within the Marcellus Shale and within the oil and gas program for probably 20 years.”
Furthermore, Hanger believes that the changes will cause a drop in public confidence toward the process.
“ It’s on the face really breathtaking and it is profoundly unwise. I would urge them to rethink and rescind.”
Katy Gresh, spokeswoman for the DEP, however, said that the move is more focused on efficiency than on politics and not related in any way with the Gov. Corbett.
“It isn’t meant to be an interference,” she said. “It’s meant to be a benefit to out constituents and would quite frankly streamline operations. There are types of NOVs (violations) have been issued when there is a pop can lying on its side.”
“The governor charged DEP secretary Krancer with bringing about consistency in his agency. This was a decision made at DEP in order to affect positive change,” she said.
State Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Highland Park) has since called on Gov. Corbett to immediately rescind the rule. He said that it would have a “chilling effect” on the ability of inspectors to effectively enforce laws.
He also labeled the move as “payback” from Gov. Corbett to the natural gas industry for contributing to his campaign.
“What Dick Cheney was to “Big Oil,” this governor seems to be to the Marcellus shale industry,” he said.
He has also called for formal Senate Hearings regarding the new regulations in a letter to Senate President Jospeh Scarnati and Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi.
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