Signed by Governor Tom Corbett

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits natural gas drilling in certain areas and temporarily prohibits certain cities from declaring bankruptcy.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection from issuing well permits for oil and gas operations in the South Newark Basin until all of the following have occurred (Sec. 6):
• The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in consultation with municipalities in the South Newark Basin, completes a study evaluating the implications of oil and gas operations raised by a 2012 U.S. Geological Survey report; and
• Legislation authorizes counties in the South Newark Basin to charge a fee for gas wells within their borders.

• Specifies that the study and county fee authorization requirements described above will expire January 1, 2018 (Sec. 6).

• Requires the bond amount for oil or gas wells to be $2,500 per well or a blanket bond of $25,000 (Sec. 6).

• Prohibits a financially distressed city, with a population of at least 106,000, from filing for bankruptcy until November 30, 2012 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text