The Joint Legislative Committee on Water Resources met on December 7, 2009 to discuss and review draft legislation that proposes new reporting requirements for persons wishing to drill into the Marcellus Shale formation in West Virginia, and that would require the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to propose new legislative rules regarding water use, handling, and disposal of wastewater.
The Committee heard testimony only from one witness, Ms. Beth Little of the West Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club, who presented a slide show emphasizing alleged potential impacts to water resources in the state from water withdrawals and the creation of large waste water streams related to the development of Marcellus Shale wells. Ms. Little emphasized the need for greater oversight of Marcellus Shale well activities and endorsed the proposed legislation as well as other actions supported by the Sierra Club, such as potential spacing requirements for Marcellus Shale wells.
The Committee lacked a quorum to move the proposed draft legislation and concluded the meeting. The Chairman noted that oil and gas trade groups had submitted written comments to the Committee, but did not detail the content of the comments. The Committee is not anticipated to meet again prior to January interims.
Armando F. Benincasa
Chase Tower - Eighth Floor
707 Virginia Street E.
Charleston, WV 25301
304.353.8147
armando.benincasa@steptoe-johnson.com
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