Hearings Related To Drilling Of The Marcellus Shale Will Be Held Wednesday

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A House committee will be hearing about legislation relating to drilling of the Marcellus Shale in western Maryland.

The House Environmental Matters Committee will hold hearings on Wednesday.

A measure sponsored by Delegate Wendell Beitzel, R-Garrett, would require regulations to be sent to a legislative panel by the end of the year relating to natural gas exploration and production. The Marcellus Shale is a mineral-rich geological formation that extends from New York to Virginia.

Delegate Heather Mizeur, D-Montgomery, is sponsoring separate legislation that would require drilling companies to demonstrate that wetlands, forests, critical habitats and existing communities would not be put at risk before wells are built and operated.

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