Another group is challenging hydraulic fracturing operations. This time, the Marcellus Shale Coalition has filed suit over Pennsylvania’s new rules governing the fracking process.
The Coalition contends parts of the Chapter 78(a) rules went beyond the scope of the State Department of Environmental Protection’s regulatory authority. They also claim the new rules that took effect this month after a five year process of being created, were “too vague” to justify the immense costs they would impose on drillers.
“This approach, which we had hoped we would not have to pursue, was necessary to assert the legal rights of our members directly impacted by final rulemaking’s provisions, which conflict with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s statutory authority as well as Supreme Court precedent,” said David Spigelmyer, president of the coalition.