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Official Says Drilling Regulations Working
By: Associated Press
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West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman says the state's natural gas drilling regulations are working.
A 2011 law gave the DEP money to hire more natural gas well inspectors and support staff. It also increased permit fees for wells and required buffer zones around wells.
Huffman says the Office of Oil and Gas now has 30 inspectors, up from 18 two years ago. He says regulators now have a better grasp of hydraulic fracturing activities.
The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register says Huffman spoke about the regulations Thursday during the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association conference at Oglebay Park in Wheeling.