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Trump Admin Considers Strategies to Overturn DRBC Fracking Ban

On Sunday, March 2, MDN friend Tom Shepstone (who writes the must-read Energy Security and Freedom website) participated in a meeting with new EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Congressman Rob Bresnahan, several state elected officials, as well as labor and others regarding energy and other critical issues in Northeast Pennsylvania. While the meeting discussed what is needed from the Trump administration to get critical pipelines built, a primary focus was to discuss how to overturn the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC) ban on fracking. This is tremendously good news for those living in Wayne and Pike counties in northeastern Pennsylvania where there are abundant supplies of Marcellus shale gas. Landowners have been denied the right to extract minerals under their privately-owned land for the last 15 years. It’s an ongoing tragedy. Read More “Trump Admin Considers Strategies to Overturn DRBC Fracking Ban”

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Fed Judge Tosses Landowner Lawsuit Against DRBC for Frack Ban

Earlier this month U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani dismissed the Wayne Land and Mineral Group (WLMG) v. Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) lawsuit that argued the DRBC had “taken” the property rights of landowners in eastern Pennsylvania, robbing them of their right to allow shale drilling on and under their land. It’s a sad and bitter end for landowners in PA’s Wayne and Pike counties where there is bountiful Marcellus shale waiting to be extracted. Read More “Fed Judge Tosses Landowner Lawsuit Against DRBC for Frack Ban”

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DRBC Appoints New Executive Director Figurehead

DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, P.E.

In 1961, the federal government and the governments of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York made a huge mistake. They entered into an agreement that created the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). The DRBC has the independent legal authority to oversee and manage the Delaware River Basin. The DRBC treats the 17 counties in Pennsylvania under its jurisdiction (particularly Wayne and Pike counties) as a fiefdom, banning shale energy within those counties (see DRBC Jumps Off Cliff – Votes to Permanently Ban Fracking). Big Green pretty much runs the agency. The DRBC appoints an executive director as a figurehead to push papers around. Earlier this year, Steve Tambini, current ED, announced he would retire as of Dec. 1 (see DRBC’s Disappointing Executive Director Steve Tambini is Retiring). Yesterday, the agency announced who would replace him. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Read More “DRBC Appoints New Executive Director Figurehead”

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3rd Circuit Buys Anti Argument, Blocks PA from Suing DRBC

In a brilliant move aimed at boxing in the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators–Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker–along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus (27 Senators in all), filed a lawsuit in January 2021 against the DRBC accusing the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law over the DRBC’s ban on fracking (see PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban). In June 2021, a federal district court judge in Philadelphia dismissed the case claiming the Senators, who represent people shafted by the DRBC, don’t have “standing” to bring the lawsuit (see Fed Court Dismisses PA Senate Lawsuit Against DRBC Frack Ban). Senators Yaw and Baker appealed the dismissal to a higher court–to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Unfortunately, last Friday, the 3rd Circuit ruled against the brave and righteous Senators citing the same reason.
Read More “3rd Circuit Buys Anti Argument, Blocks PA from Suing DRBC”

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PA Senators Argue “Standing” in Case to Overthrow DRBC Frack Ban

Two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators, Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker, along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus (27 Senators in all, filed a lawsuit in January 2021 against the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) over its illegal ban on fracking (see PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban). The lawsuit accuses the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law. Unfortunately, in June 2021, a federal district court judge in Philadelphia appointed by RINO George W. Bush dismissed the case claiming the Senators, who represent people shafted by the DRBC, don’t have “standing” to bring the lawsuit (see Fed Court Dismisses PA Senate Lawsuit Against DRBC Frack Ban). Senators Yaw and Baker appealed the dismissal and yesterday a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit heard oral arguments in the appeal.
Read More “PA Senators Argue “Standing” in Case to Overthrow DRBC Frack Ban”

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PA Rep. Fritz Introduces 2 Bills Aimed at Ending DRBC Frack Ban

Jon Fritz

Pennsylvania State Rep. Jonathan Fritz (Republican from Wayne County) has introduced two new bills aimed at the rogue Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and its ban on hydraulic fracturing and shale drilling. One bill would change the voting structure of the DRBC, giving PA more votes on key decisions because PA is the state with the most land that comes under the jackboots of DRBC regulations. The second bill would outright end the ongoing frack ban enacted by the DRBC in one form or another since 2010. Three cheers for Jon Fritz!
Read More “PA Rep. Fritz Introduces 2 Bills Aimed at Ending DRBC Frack Ban”

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DRBC Issues Draft Regs Banning Recycled Wastewater from Fracking

Once again the virulent anti-fossil fuel nuts that compose the federal Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) are targeting the shale industry. Earlier this year the lefties that run the DRBC voted to permanently ban fracking (and therefore all oil and gas drilling) anywhere in the DRBC’s jurisdiction (see DRBC Jumps Off Cliff – Votes to Permanently Ban Fracking). The organization has been sued for their ban by a couple of different parties, one of which (the Wayne Land and Mineral Group) is due to be decided by the end of this year. At any rate, not content with banning fracking, the DRBC has just floated new draft regulations to ban frack wastewater from entering the DRBC zone, even if that wastewater has been fully treated and recycled.
Read More “DRBC Issues Draft Regs Banning Recycled Wastewater from Fracking”

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PA Senators Appeal Dismissed DRBC Frack Ban Lawsuit

In a brilliant move aimed at boxing in the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators–Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker–along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus (27 Senators in all), filed a lawsuit in January against the DRBC accusing the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law (see PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban). Unfortunately, in June a federal district court judge in Philadelphia appointed by RINO George W. Bush dismissed the case claiming the Senators, who represent people shafted by the DRBC, don’t have “standing” to bring the lawsuit (see Fed Court Dismisses PA Senate Lawsuit Against DRBC Frack Ban). Senators Yaw and Baker have just appealed the dismissal to a higher court.
Read More “PA Senators Appeal Dismissed DRBC Frack Ban Lawsuit”

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Fed Court Dismisses PA Senate Lawsuit Against DRBC Frack Ban

In a brilliant move aimed at boxing in the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators–Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker–along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus (27 Senators in all), filed a lawsuit in January against the DRBC accusing the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law (see PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban). Unfortunately, last week a federal court judge in Philadelphia appointed by RINO George W. Bush has dismissed the case claiming the Senators, who represent people shafted by the DRBC, don’t have “standing” to bring the lawsuit. They represent those people! How is that not standing?
Read More “Fed Court Dismisses PA Senate Lawsuit Against DRBC Frack Ban”

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Court Lets 16 Anti-Drilling PA Senate Democrats Join DRBC Lawsuit

In a brilliant move aimed at boxing in the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators–Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker–along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus (27 Senators in all), filed a lawsuit in January against the DRBC accusing the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law (see PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban). A group of 16 left-wing PA Democrat Senators filed to “intervene” in the lawsuit two weeks ago (see 16 PA Senate Democrats Try to Block Republican DRBC Lawsuit). The court agreed to let the Democrat fox into the henhouse so they can make trouble.
Read More “Court Lets 16 Anti-Drilling PA Senate Democrats Join DRBC Lawsuit”

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16 PA Senate Democrats Try to Block Republican DRBC Lawsuit

In a brilliant move aimed at boxing in the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators–Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker–along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus, filed a lawsuit in January against the DRBC accusing the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law (see PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban). A group of 16 PA Democrat Senators has just filed to “intervene” in the lawsuit.
Read More “16 PA Senate Democrats Try to Block Republican DRBC Lawsuit”

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Fed Judge Allows Big Green Interference in PA Senate v. DRBC Lawsuit

Apparently, the staff who run the day-to-day business of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is incompetent and can’t defend itself. Every time they are challenged in court, they run crying to mommy and daddy (Teresa Heinz Kerry at the Heinz Endowments and Shawn McCaney at the William Penn Foundation), which in turns launders money (i.e. hires lawyers) through the Delaware Riverkeeper to help bail the DRBC out of legal trouble. A federal judge (appointed by swamp-dweller George W. Bush) ruled last week to allow Riverkeeper (Heinz & Wm. Penn) to “intervene” (become a party to) a lawsuit launched by Pennsylvania Senate Republicans against the DRBC over the organization’s illegal taking of property rights by banning fracking in the river basin.
Read More “Fed Judge Allows Big Green Interference in PA Senate v. DRBC Lawsuit”

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DRBC Jumps Off Cliff – Votes to Permanently Ban Fracking

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), a quasi-governmental organization composed of four states (NY, PA, DE, NJ) plus the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, voted yesterday to permanently ban fracking within the boundaries of the DRBC’s jurisdiction, which includes Wayne and Pike counties in Pennsylvania where there is abundant Marcellus Shale deposits. But don’t despair. The DRBC is in the midst of two legal challenges and one (or both) is sure to win, reversing the illegal action taken yesterday. Chin up! The sun will rise again.
Read More “DRBC Jumps Off Cliff – Votes to Permanently Ban Fracking”

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Biden Breaks “No Frack Ban” Promise to PA 5th Week in Office

Remember the statement, uttered by then-candidate Joe Biden as he stood in Bucks County, PA (which sits in the Delaware River Basin) when he emphatically promised PA residents and union workers, “I’m not banning fracking in Pennsylvania or anywhere else!”? It took him slightly less than five weeks to break that promise. Yesterday the Biden administration, in the form of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (which is an Executive Branch agency) abstained and then voiced moral support for the DRBC’s vote to ban fracking in the Delaware River Basin. That action bans fracking in two northeastern PA counties where there are frackable shale deposits (see today’s lead story). FIVE WEEKS. Still happy you voted for lyin’ Biden?
Read More “Biden Breaks “No Frack Ban” Promise to PA 5th Week in Office”

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Delaware Riverkeeper Seeks to Intervene in DRBC Fracking Lawsuit

THE Delaware Riverkeeper, a radical anti-fossil fuel organization headed by Maya van Rossum who presumes she is the only voice that speaks for the Delaware River, has filed a motion to intervene (i.e. join) a lawsuit filed against the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) by a group of Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers. Riverkeeper accuses PA lawmakers of violating their oath of office with this lawsuit. It’s the opposite. The lawmakers are standing up for the rights of their constituents–land rights stripped away by the DRBC.
Read More “Delaware Riverkeeper Seeks to Intervene in DRBC Fracking Lawsuit”

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PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban

In a brilliant move aimed at boxing in the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), two northeastern Pennsylvania State Senators–Gene Yaw and Lisa Baker–along with members of the PA Senate Republican Caucus, filed a lawsuit yesterday against the DRBC, accusing the quasi-governmental agency of “taking” the property rights of PA residents without just compensation under the law.
Read More “PA Senators Sue DRBC for “Taking” Property re Frack Ban”