HARRISBURG - The state's top conservation official said Wednesday he has no problem with relying more on royalties from oil and gas drilling to support operations of the state's parks and forests.
The revenue in the state Oil and Gas Fund has grown substantially in recent years as more natural gas wells have been drilled in the state-owned forests, said Richard Allan, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Mr. Allan, a Luzerne County native, addressed the agency's Advisory Council. He marks two years as DCNR secretary this spring.
Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget for fiscal 2013-14 calls for DNCR to receive $77 million from the oil and gas fund and $53 million from the taxpayer-supported General Fund, continuing a trend that started several years ago of relying less on tax dollars to support agency operations.
Some environmentalists have criticized the trend saying it makes the agency more dependent on drilling, but Mr. Allan said state law designates the oil and gas fund for conservation uses.
During his tenure, the revenue in the Oil and Gas Fund has increased from $26 million in 2011-12 to $69 million for fiscal 2012-13 and a projected $77 million for fiscal 2013-14, Mr. Allan said.
The revenue growth reflects a steady increase in permitted and active gas wells because of Marcellus Shale exploration. There are 302 producing wells in the state forests, compared to 75 wells two years ago, said Mr. Allan.
DCNR is expanding the size of its natural gas advisory committee to obtain more input from environmental groups, industry and local government, he added.
The practice of state forest drilling remains controversial.
Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166, Haverford, ranking Democrat on the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, introduced a bill earlier this month to permanently ban the leasing of additional state forest land for natural gas drilling. He said a forest leasing moratorium issued by then-Gov. Ed Rendell in 2010 could be quickly undone by Mr. Corbett without a law in place.
A number of environmental groups are protesting a proposal by Anadarko Petroleum to drill for natural gas in a section of the Loyalsock State Forest in Lycoming County. Anadarko has mineral rights in the area.
DCNR has made no decision on the matter, said spokeswoman Chris Novak.
Meanwhile, the citizens advisory council for the Department of Environmental Protection is seeking comment up to April 26 on how to improve public participation in environmental permit reviews and other actions.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com