>Anonymous Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Sun Apr 24, 2011, 08:31 PM EDT
— Editor’s note: This letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley was released to the Times-News for publication.
Dear Gov. O’Malley: With the completion of the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly and the failure to enact any legislation relating to Marcellus Shale drilling (HB411, HB852, SB422 or SB634), we are asking that you consider a review of Maryland’s regulatory and statutory framework by the nonprofit organization State Review of Oil & Natural Gas Environmental Regulations.
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners believes that the state of Maryland should be a model for other governmental jurisdictions in dealing with natural gas drilling and exploration regulations.
We also believe that such a review would show that Maryland’s current regulatory and statutory framework is already superior to our neighboring states.
If deficiencies would arise, it has already been demonstrated that the Maryland Department of the Environment has the required authority to enact regulations accordingly and in the best interest of the landowners, adjacent property owners and other interested parties.
As energy costs soar, we are all forced to pay increasingly higher fuel and electricity costs. We believe that it is incumbent upon us to move forward with the development of this energy supply in a responsible and accountable manner.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.
Gregan T. Crawford, chairman; Robert G. Gatto and James M. Raley, commissioners
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners
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