Exemptions in the law and owner permission put hundreds of wells closer to homes, schools and churches than the 500-foot setback meant to protect health.
Now a professor emeritus of geosciences at Penn State, Terry Engelder acknowledged some mistakes by the state and by industry, but challenged parts of the grand jury report.
Some GOP lawmakers reacted to the report by saying the shale gas industry is “one of the most regulated in the nation,” and they were “offended” at the report’s characterization of the industry.
Over the last 17 years, General Fund support for DEP environmental programs has been cut by more than 40 percent, and the agency's staff reduced by nearly 30 percent.
The suspension goes into effect today and requires Xtreme Energy to stop production at — or shut-in — its two active wells in Pennsylvania, both of which are in Somerset County.
