Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has called a special session to send the draft bill written by the Select Committee on Marcellus Shale  through the full legislative process on Sunday.  Tomblin says he believes the legislation could be completed by the end of next week.

The governor’s office did make a few adjustments to the draft bill, such as moving casing authority from the State to the DEP.  Authority on regulations involving roads was moved from the DEP to the Department of Highways.

Read the article in the West Virginia State Journal…

Read the draft bill, abstract, and amendments by going to the website for the West Virginia Legislature.  The Marcellus Shale section is on the left side of the page and has its own heading where you can link to different topics.

YOU CAN HELP!  HERE’S HOW:

You can rest assured that the capitol will feel the pressure from industry lobbyists this week.  Let our legislators hear a louder voice from their constituents.

1. Go to Charleston this week to speak face-to-face with legislators.  Meet with a citizen lobbyist group by contacting Chuck Wyrostock outreach@marcellus-wv.com.
2. Call.  Find contact information for your delegates here and your senators here.  Calling is more effective than emailing.  Leave a message if they’re not available.
3. Email.  Did I mention that calling is more effective?

Last month acting governor Earl Ray Tomblin issued an executive order directing the WV DEP to come up with an emergency rule for increasing regulation on horizontal drilling for natural gas.  Today that rule was filed.  Once approved by the Secretary of State, it will be effective for 15 months.  Details are on the DEP website…

Citizens’ groups held events in Charleston and Morgantown today, calling for a moratorium on new permits until comprehensive legislation is passed to protect West Virginians’ health and quality of life.   A family from Jackson county testified that they became sick after drinking and bathing in well water that became contaminated after three natural gas wells were drilled and hydraulically fractured on their property.

The Charleston Gazette reported on July 26 that the governor’s office has refused a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from that newspaper to release records of correspondence between Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the oil and gas industry relating to Marcellus shale gas regulation.

Letters from individuals and environmental groups were shared with The Charleston Gazette, but correspondence between the Governor’s office and representatives of the oil and gas industry and related trade groups were withheld.  Per the Gazette, “(Kurt)Dettinger, (Tomblin’s General Counsel), said the Governor’s Office “consulted with members of the industry seeking their opinions and advice and we believe the opinions and advice on a regulatory proposal are exempt under West Virginia’s FOIA statute.”   Dettinger stated that withheld correspondence was part of the “deliberative process” and as such exempt from FOIA.

Full story in Charleston Gazette by Ken Ward, Jr.

On Friday West Virginia lawmakers approved an $11.4 billion state spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1.  The budget did not include the extra two million dollars that acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin requested be added for the hiring of additional WVDEP field inspectors to oversee the burgeoning Marcellus shale gas industrial activity.    Full story here.

Acting Governor Tomblin’s office is keeping a list of callers requesting a special session for legislation on Marcellus Shale gas drilling.  Concerned citizens can leave a message with his secretary at (304) 558-2000.