Rep. Owlett introduces bill to allow non-surface drilling on state lands

Pennsylvania Rep. Clint Owlett (R-68) announced he would be introducing legislation that would allow non-surface drilling on state lands to decrease reliance on Russian energy imports.

In a memorandum to state House of Representatives members, Owlett said the state had the resources to help the country become energy independent, and an increase in domestic production would help the country, as well as America’s allies.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made clear the devastating consequences of many countries relying on a geopolitical foe for their energy needs,” Owlett wrote. “Thankfully, we have the means within our Commonwealth and nation to increase our domestic production to become energy independent here in America and to provide our resources to help power our allies throughout the world.”

Owlett said that allowing for the extraction of the state’s oil and gas resources under state lands would preserve state lands while generating revenue for the state. Additionally, he said, it was a path to reducing reliance on Russian gas.

The legislation would require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish a program to lease subsurface rights. Owlett said extraction of resources from below the surface of state lands was currently not possible because of Gov. Tom Wolf’s moratorium on new leases.

In January 2015, Wolf signed an executive order reinstating a moratorium on new leases for drilling in state parks and forests.

“Natural gas development is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy, but so is the economic and environmental viability of our parks and forests,” Wolf said at the time. “This is about striking the right balance. Our state parks and forests are unique assets that should be preserved, protected, and utilized by our residents for recreational purposes.”

In July 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that money generated by leases on public lands in that state could only be used to conserve those public resources and could not be used for general government operations.

Last week, legislators called on Wolf to ban imports of Russian-sourced energy and allow the state to increase production to provide Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and other resources to Europe and the rest of the world.