W.Va. Governor Announces Interim Regulations for Shale Gas Drillers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin imposed new, interim regulations on shale gas drillers on July 12, including a requirement for public notice and, in some cases, a requirement for water-use permits.

The new requirements were included in Executive Order No. 4-11, which also included a provision for further study.

Gov. Tomblin said in announcing the order that further regulations would be developed under the DEP's emergency rule-making authority.

Executive Order 4-11 mandates public notice of an intent to drill within municipal boundaries, requires that drilling operations that will impact more than three acres of surface …