Press Conference: Legislative Response to WVDEP Oil and Gas Budget/Layoffs

MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                               February 2, 2021

Contacts:

Dave McMahon, WVSORO, 304-993-0468
Dustin White, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, 304-541-3144

What:
            
        Press Conference: Legislative Response to WVDEP Oil and Gas
        Budget/Layoffs
       
        In summer 2020, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
        (WVDEP) Office of Oil and Gas cut its staff from 40 to 25 positions due to
        recurring budget shortfalls. As a result, there is now only one inspector per every
        5000 gas wells. Currently, the Office is funded solely through one-time fees on
        new permit applications. This funding structure is not only inconsistent with other
        WVDEP Offices, it is also insufficient for sustaining the office’s responsibility for
        monitoring and regulating all actions related to the exploration, drilling, storage
        and production of oil and natural gas. We urge the West Virginia Legislature to
        immediately act on this issue.

When:             Thursday, February 4, at 3 p.m.

Where:           Online via Zoom Conference

Who:             
       
        Members of the media are invited to join a virtual press conference facilitated by
        Angie Rosser, Executive Director of West Virginia Rivers Coalition, featuring
        statements from elected officials, as well as representatives of private property
        owners and environmental advocates in West Virginia:

• Dave McMahon, J.D., Co-Founder, W.Va. Surface Owners’ Rights Organization (WVSORO)
• Dustin White, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
• Delegate Evan Hansen (D – Monongalia, 51)
• State Senator William J. Ihlenfeld II (D – Ohio, 01)

Why:             

        The recurring budget shortfalls for the Office of Oil and Gas affects owners of property on
        which over 60,000 oil and gas wells are located. This problem needs to be
        addressed during the upcoming Legislative session.

 

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