December 20th, 2011 by WCBC Radio
Delaying drilling for natural gas in Marcellus Shale deposits to allow a state committee to study the issue, is costing the western Maryland region millions of dollars in revenue, and putting a drag on economic development opportunities. At least that is the opinion of local officials. The Allegany County Commissioners want to see the work of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley earlier this year, put on a fast track. The shale commission plans to present recommendations on taxation of drilling and establishment of liability standards by the end of the year. Recommendations on best practices for natural gas exploration and production are to be delivered by Aug. 1, 2012, and a final report including environmental impacts of drilling is to be issued by Aug. 1, 2014. State Senator George Edwards admitted he is somewhat skeptical of the governor’s timetable, questioning why Maryland would need so much more time than the other states that have already studied the topic…
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