Marcellus & Woody (HB 401)

The legislation to regulate drilling into huge natural gas deposits of "Marcellus Shale" in West Virginia was intensely debated and approved by a Special Session of the West Virginia Legislature.

The vote in the West Virginia House of Delegates on HB401 was 92 yeas to 5 nays, and I voted yea.

My concerns were to balance the legitimate interests and needs of the gas and oil industry, the safety of our environment, and the property rights and privileges of surface owners and residents.

Although I agree that the further development of Marcellus Shale in West Virginia will help our nation become more energy independent and perhaps also foster an economic boom for all of West Virginia, the final version of the bill still fell somewhat short, in my opinion, of giving enough protection to the rights and privileges of property owners and residents.

Even so, the adoption of Delegate Woody Ireland's proposal to have monitoring and oversight of possible disruptive effects upon residents from drilling for Marcellus gas greatly enhanced the value of this legislation.

In summary, I came to the overall conclusion that HB 401 is a step in the right direction and voted accordingly.


Footnote: Click on "WV State Legislature" under "Links" on the right hand side of this webpage, to search for more specifics about this legislation.

Thornton Cooper's Legislative Proposal

Thornton,

I would be pleased and proud to support and even cosponsor your forthcoming legislative proposal to provide single member districts in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Furthermore, we should go and do likewise with the West Virginia State Senate districts.

Delegate Larry D. Kump