W.Va. Enacts Notice, Environmental Rules in 'Horizontal Well Act'

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has signed legislation imposing specific environmental regulations on the industry, including protections for waterways and surface landowners. Horizontal Well Act, HB 401 (W.Va.).

The governor signed legislation on Dec. 22 that overwhelmingly passed both houses of the state legislature earlier in the month.

"The regulatory certainty created by passage of this legislation will allow the natural gas industry to continue to invest in West Virginia and crate additional jobs for our citizens," the governor's office said in announcing the signing.

The lengthy bill approved 33-0 by the West Virginia Senate …