State Report Urges Fees on Gas Leases To Fund Study of Marcellus Shale Concerns

摘要

Leaseholders who have acquired land interests in Maryland for the purpose of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation should be required to pay a per-acre fee to fund further study of whether and how shale-gas production should be allowed in the state, according to recommendations issued by two agencies.The Jan. 9 joint recommendations contained in the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative Study, Part I from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources were submitted to Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and the General Assembly just prior to the Jan. 11 launch of the 2012 legislative session.