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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Greg Vitali
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Hearing Feb. 27 in Bryn Mawr on Vitali Marcellus air pollution bill
HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Rep. Greg Vitali announced that there will be a hearing 10 a.m. Feb. 27 at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church to discuss his legislation that would address air pollution from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.
"This hearing will examine the extent of air pollution associated with gas drilling and how my legislation, House Bill 2113, would address this growing threat," said Vitali, D-Delaware. "Other states have experienced significant air quality issues as a direct result of drilling, and we need to take action to prevent that from happening in Pennsylvania."
Confirmed speakers include former state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger, former DEP Southwest Regional Director George Jugovic, a representative from the Clean Air Council and Pennsylvania League of Women Voters Vice President Roberta Winters. Invitations have been extended to the Marcellus Shale Coalition and DEP to speak at the hearing.
Vitali's bill would require the DEP to collect and publish information about air pollution emissions from Marcellus drilling; require air pollution permits for Marcellus wellhead area emissions and increase air permit fees to help fund the DEP air pollution control program.
Vitali said the revenue his legislation would generate for DEP is particularly important as Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed cutting state funding for the agency by $10.5 million.
The hearing, which is being hosted by the House Democratic Policy Committee at the request of Vitali, is open to the public. However, only members of the committee may ask questions of those who testify. It will be held at the church's Congregational Hall of the Ministry Center, 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr.
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