Corbett jumps the shark: cripples authority of EPA inspectors re Marcellus Shale

[Divernan]

Lots of great links in this Pro Publica (journalism watchdog) site:
http://www.propublica.org/article/pennsylvania-limits-authority-of-oil-and-gas-inspectors

Oil and gas inspectors policing Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania will no longer be able to issue violations to the drilling companies they regulate without first getting the approval of top officials.

That’s according to a directive laid out in a series of emails received by the Department of Environmental Protection staff last week and leaked to ProPublica. The emails <1> say <2> the new edict applies only to enforcement actions related to Marcellus Shale drilling and that failure to seek prior approval “will not be acceptable.”
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The memos require that each of the hundreds of enforcement actions taken routinely against oil and gas operators in Pennsylvania each month now be approved by the department’s executive deputy secretary, John Hines. The memos are raising concerns that the state’s environmental inspectors can no longer act independently and that regulations could be overridden by the political whims of the state’s new governor, Tom Corbett.

“What this apparently is saying is that before any final action, the inspector must get approval by two political appointees: the secretary and the deputy secretary,” said John Hanger, who headed the DEP until January under former Gov. Ed Rendell and worked to strengthen the state’s oil and gas regulations. “It’s an extraordinary directive. It represents a break from how business has been done in the department within the Marcellus Shale and within the oil and gas program for probably 20 years. “It’s on its face really breathtaking and it is profoundly unwise. I would urge them to rethink and rescind.”

[Divernan]

1. Great comments from OP link: "implausible disaster movie,over-the-top villain etc.

ken weir

Yesterday, 10:07 p.m.

GOVENOR WHOREBITT IS AT IT AGAIN.WHY NOT NAME THE DEP THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROTECTION.WHAT A SCHMUCK,I HOPE HE FALLS INTO THE BIGGEST ,DEEPEST FRAC POND AND COMES OUT SMELLING WORSE THAN HE DID GOING IN.REPEAL THE IDIOT
Mary Sweeney

Yesterday, 10:05 p.m.

As it is, the notices of violation and accompanying fines don’t seem to be changing the gas industry’s bad behavior. Now, even that small check may be removed. This is crazy—it’s like something from an implausible disaster movie, in which the over-the-top villain shows complete disregard for human life. Except this isn’t a movie.
Knappster

Yesterday, 8:35 p.m.

Is it POSSIBLE for the new Governor to be any more in bed with these drilling companies? I’m surprised we don’t have a DEP division dedicated to driving the trucks for them and running the drill bits. He will probably have a press conference to address it and then bar the press from attending.
John Trallo

Today, 1:32 a.m.

Communities located on the Marcellus are being treated as ‘sacrifice zones’. Corbett, Cawley, and Krancer have got to go! Pennsylvania will not be able to sustain four years of this bullshit.
loretta weir

Yesterday, 10:51 p.m.

This is outrageous! How long will the citizens of this state tolerate this ‘takeover’ by Corbett and Co.?? I remember Katy Gresh telling me that John Hanger was a really ‘good’ guy ..concerned about the environment and water contamination from the drilling. She did communicate how bad she wanted to keep her job after he was gone, though. I can see just ‘how bad’ now, Katy, when they prop you up as ‘comment bearer’ for them..AND YOU COMPLY! I see how little it takes for someone to sell their soul for a measly job. There are other jobs out there that won’t demand that you compromise integrity to keep it. That is unless you really have no integrity to begin with. I would rather be out of work than be someone’s ‘puppet’.....DISGRACEFUL…..People like you keep these demons in business!

[Divernan]

2. Ferlo Seeks Review of New Marcellus Shale permit rules

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11090/1136068-503.stm

State Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, is calling for the Pennsylvania Inspector General and the state Senate to investigate new state Department of Environmental Protection rules that require pre-approval by Harrisburg officials before permitting and enforcement actions can be taken against Marcellus Shale drilling operations.

Mr. Ferlo said today that the new procedures to centralize decision-making with political appointees heading the DEP will "have a chilling effect on enforcement," and he urged quick action by the senate's environmental oversight committee.

"This is creating a climate of concern for DEP staff and the public, and I am strongly urging quick, bipartisan oversight of this action," Mr. Ferlo said in a phone interview. "I also will ask the Inspector General to review the memos and the statutory regulations that are in place to govern inspections and violations."

The changes, which require that DEP Secretary Michael Krancer and two other DEP officials sign off on hundreds of department actions involving Marcellus Shale drilling operations, were detailed in internal emails to the DEP regional directors on March 23 by John Hines, DEP executive deputy secretary.

The new rules extend to routine matters such as notices of violations that previously were issued by inspectors and their regional directors, and they put political appointees in direct control of permit issuance and enforcement actions on Marcellus Shale related matters but not in any other permitting or enforcement areas.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11090/1136068-503.stm#ixzz1ICmv9g5S

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Some days I think that there is nothing more that can shock me.

And then I see something like this.

I read an article where someone was quoted as saying something along the lines of----this is like telling the Highway Patrol that they have to get approval from the top to give someone a ticket.

Un-fucking-believable. How do we stop this madness? Someone.....anyone.....answer me.

[Divernan]

4. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I guess he took the day off.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Damn, I had to google Bueller to find out what you were talking about.

I wasn't into coming of age movies by that time.

I am ready to take the day off myself.

[JPZenger]

6. Minor correction: DEP not EPA enforcers

One minor correction to the headline. This involves PA. Dep inspectors, who are the main enforcers, not EPA staff, who don't get involved much in the gas industry.

If anyone has not seen Feris Bueller's Day Off, take the day off from work or school tomorrow and watch it immediately.

[Divernan]

7. Whoops - so much Corbettian corruption gets confusing!