UPDATED: State House Approves Amendment to Marcellus Shale Bill

Editor's Note: This story was modified at 8:47 p.m. Tuesday to include a link to state Rep. Jesse White's floor speech.

One local legislator expressed concern over lack of protections for schools in an amendment to a Marcellus Shale bill and told fellow state representatives in a floor speech that he would not vote for it.

"I'd have to be out of my mind to vote for this," state , D-, said, telling his colleagues on Tuesday evening to vote "no."

"It takes away not only local control but local accountability," he said.

Despite his pleas, the amendment passed by a vote of 110-85.

Both White and state , D-North Strabane, voted no.

State Rep. John Maher also voted no, saying that the bill was "a bridge too far."

The amendment to —known as the Baker Amendment—would enact an impact fee and make nontraditional drilling such as Marcellus Shale a permitted use in industrial and residential zones.

“This is about jobs. Nothing right now holds more economic promise in Pennsylvania than the Marcellus Shale industry,” House Majority Leader Mike Turzai said on his website. “The House legislation is striking a balance between protecting residents and resources, and building a vibrant job-creating industry in Pennsylvania.” 

House Bill 1950 deals with local and statewide impacts of natural-gas exploration and production in the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations. The legislation responds to the various issues and concerns regarding unconventional drilling within the Commonwealth. 

According to Turzai, House Republican leaders worked with statewide municipal government associations to craft aspects of the legislation. 

The Marcellus/Utica Impact bill, Turzai said, "creates uniformity to specifically help those communities dealing with drilling; strengthens the laws, regulations and oversight to protect water and the environment; and brings needed, dedicated funding for programs benefitting the state’s environmental resources." 

He continued: "The Marcellus/Utica Impact bill illustrates the House GOP commitment to the job opportunities the industry represents and illustrates how natural gas exploration and production can be done in a safe and responsible manner."

The bill is expected to be voted on within the next week.