PennFuture Releases “Plain Language Guide” to PA Act 13

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Anti-drilling group PennFuture yesterday released their spin on Pennsylvania’s new Marcellus drilling law called Act 13. Calling it a “Plain Language Guide,” PennFuture takes aim at trying to dismantle the new law by first undermining people’s opinion of the law, and second by threatening to use their considerable $2 million per year war chest to throw at litigation against the new law. A summary of the main points in their new guide is embedded below. A full copy is available at their website by filling out a form (clever marketing to get your personal details for future fundraising appeals).

Here’s the PennFuture press release announcing the Plain Language Guide:

Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) today released a new report, “Pennsylvania’s New Oil and Gas Law (Act 13): A Plain Language Guide and Analysis,” which clarifies the provisions of the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas law, particularly around drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

“Since this law was signed, there has been a great deal of confusion about the various provisions,” said George Jugovic Jr., president and CEO of PennFuture.

“The law rewrites Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Law in a very fundamental way,” continued Jugovic. “For the first time, the state is attempting to regulate the shale gas industry, which has been drilling in Pennsylvania for nine years. This plain language report separates rumor from fact, and will help elected officials, public health officers and physicians, and citizens in and out of the drilling fields understand their rights in terms of drilling.”

“PennFuture’s legal staff provides $2 million in pro bono legal work each year, and we intend to devote much of our time to assisting elected officials and citizens understand this new law,” said Brian Glass, chair of PennFuture’s law staff. “We encourage Pennsylvanians to download this plain language guide and to contact us with any questions and concerns. We will post the questions and answers online.”

The full report and the two-page listing of key provisions are available at www.pennfuture.org/marcellus. Questions for PennFuture’s law staff can be posted at www.pennfuture.org/AskTheLawyers.*

*Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (Apr 23, 2012) – PennFuture Releases Plain Language Analysis of Marcellus Law