Misguided DRBC Proposal on Energy Development Ignores Consumer Demand, Economic Benefits, and State's Environmental Protections

HARRISBURG, Pa., September 13, 2017 – API Pennsylvania (API-PA) responded to the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC) proposal to ban hydraulic fracturing in the region.

“The Marcellus Shale is a proven opportunity to harness clean and abundant American energy to power our state and the nation and support jobs in Pennsylvania,” said API-PA Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman. “Arbitrary limits on responsibly developing U.S. resources are bad public policy. If we do not produce energy, we will be more reliant on foreign sources and relinquish our ability to increase our security. The DRBC proposal could put upward pressure on energy costs for Pennsylvania families who also rely on energy development for millions of jobs."

“Common sense regulations must strike an appropriate balance between deferring to state jurisdictions and ensuring protection of the Delaware River Basin and its communities. We oppose the Delaware River Basin Commission’s proposal to adopt regulations that are duplicative and contradict existing state regulations in surrounding states and Pennsylvania, where state officials and communities have worked hard to create a robust regulatory regime that ensures the environment, public health and local communities are well-protected."

Pennsylvania has an extensive history of comprehensive programs in several areas, including: wastewater discharge permits; residual waste management; natural gas construction and operation activities, and erosion and sediment control activities. Safe and responsible energy development has been good for Pennsylvania and individual Pennsylvanians – supporting jobs and boosting economies at all levels. As a recent study by PwC shows for Pennsylvania, natural gas and oil make broad economic contributions that go well beyond the industry itself.

“Interfering with Pennsylvania’s effective, comprehensive program undermines a crucial source of income for both the state economy and individual families,” said Wissman. “API plans to continue its active participation in the ongoing public discussion over any proposed regulations governing the development of energy development in the Delaware River Basin.”

API Pennsylvania is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.