Corbett's DEP/DCNR officials blatantly lying to state lawmakers.

[Divernan]

Let's do the math, shall we?

During a hearing in front of the House Appropriations Committee, members questioned the secretaries of the Dept. of Environmental Protection(DEP) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)about budgets for nearly four hours.

1. One Dem. raised concerns about "a quiet push" from Corbett's administration to lease more state land to Marcellus shale gas drillers. Response from acting DCNR Secretary: No additional leases are planned.

BUT, "Conservation officials said 63 wells on state forest land currently are tapped into the pipeline, a figure they expect to grow to 200 or more during the next year."

That means more than TRIPLING additional leases! A far cry from "no additional leases."

2. DEP Acting Secretary insisted that the current 78 inspectors are enough "boots on the ground" to properly inspect drilling sites. He is confident permit fees will cover future staffing needs.

BUT, His agency is on track to perform 7,200 Marcellus Shale gas well inspections this year, up from 5,000 last year.

That's a 44 % increase in gas well inspections THIS YEAR. If it took 78 inspectors last year, each would have inspected 64 sites. With the increase in sites, each inspector will now have to inspect 92 sites. Gollee, Gomer, do ya think the inspectors will just have to skip some of those sites? Do you think Corbett's DCNR will give the site operators a heads up so they can clean up before an inspection? Do you think the inspectors will be pressured to do cursory inspections? My answers? Yes, yes and yes.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11076/1132613-454.stm#ixzz1GqkK3iE0