Corbett Signs Marcellus Shale Emergency Response Plan Bill

The location of some Marcellus Shale sites makes a bill that Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law Thursday that much more important.

Corbett this week approved Senate Bill 995, which requires the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt emergency regulations that direct Marcellus Shale site operators to establish and register a GPS coordinate for each unconventional well.

It also requires them to develop emergency response plans and post signs to assist emergency responders.

"Since a lot of these wells are being drilled in areas with no formal addresses, it is important that emergency responders are able to get...the necessary coordinates so they can get access to the sites when needed," , D-, said.

State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, agreed.

"It's very important for our local first responders to know where the drilling is going on," he said. "A lot of the wells are in uncharted territory."

State Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, said that of all the issues related to the regulation of the Marcellus Shale industry, this is a move that everyone can rally behind.

"I think one thing we can all agree on is the need to enable our first responders and give them every tool we can should there services be needed," he said.