In response to natural gas drilling companies' request for the Commonwealth to speed up the permitting process for tapping into the Marcellus Shale, the state will increase drilling permits fees to add staff, reported the Times Leader.
In the proposal, which still faces several bureaucratic hurdles, the $100 permit fee would be increased to $900, plus $100 for every 500 feet a well continues beyond 1,500 feet.
The proposal must still pass the state Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the state Legislature's two committees that oversee DEP regulations, said Stephen Rhoads, the president of the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association. "Because of the time involved and the fact that the general assembly is no longer in session … the final rule probably won't take effect until mid- to late March or later," he said. "The industry generally understands their need and desire for the fee increase. … We are interested in seeing the department improve its permitting."
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