The Senate passed House Bill 401, which establishes the Natural Gas Horizontal Wells Control Act, during a brief afternoon floor session.
This legislation, which is identical to the bill the Senate passed yesterday, save for seven minor amendments, completes action on new rules and permit fees for gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
The measure sets minimum distances between wells and such things as houses, drinking wells and public water structures. It also spells out when developers should provide prior notices to affected surface property owners. The bill also calls for $10,000 permit fees for initial wells and $5,000 fees for each well added to that site.
The Senate has adjourned Sine Die
