House Judiciary Committee Strips Forced Pooling from Bill

Late Monday evening (2/21/11), news came through the email grapevine and through the press that a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee had unanimously voted to remove the contentious forced pooling provision from the Hydraulic Fracturing Bill.  It then advanced the bill to the full committee along with many amendments to strengthen the bill’s protective language.

This eminent domain issue has divided the gas industry lobby .  The two largest gas producers in the state desire this law but the smaller producers are opposed to it,  as are many citizens.  The provision has been in and out of versions of this bill as it makes it way through various legislative committees.

Note: correction was made to original post.  ”a subcommittee of  the” added in first sentence.  2/24/11