Lawmakers

A pair of Maryland lawmakers have introduced a bill that would implement a 15% severance tax on the wholesale market value of natural gas produced in the state beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

A Vectren Corp. official told a panel of Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday the state’s 30-year contract to purchase coal-to-substitute natural gas (SNG) from a New York company should be modified so smaller gas customers aren’t stuck with the bill should the deal prove to be a bad investment.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is urging state lawmakers to enact tougher regulations on the oil and gas industry, including higher penalties for violations and requiring operators to not only disclose what chemicals are used for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) but also their precise formulations.

After more than three years, Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed an impact fee on gas drilling. The bill awaits Gov. Tom Corbett’s signature.

In his State of the State address on Wednesday Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn urged lawmakers to eliminate the state’s natural gas utility tax.

Lawmakers in the West Virginia Senate have voted unanimously in favor of a bill extending tax breaks to companies that build an ethane cracker in the state, and have sent the measure to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin for his signature.

On the final evening of debate before state lawmakers recessed for the year, critics of a impact fee in Pennsylvania fought to increase the amount of revenue raised by the proposal.

Eight energy trade associations last Wednesday forwarded a letter to House lawmakers expressing their support for two bills that would shield commercial end-users from some of the more restrictive requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Eight energy trade associations Wednesday forwarded a letter to House lawmakers expressing their support for two bills that would shield commercial end-users from some of the more restrictive requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.