White bill would create database for steel used in gas wells
In an effort to help promote and protect American jobs, state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, introduced a bill requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to create an online public database listing the country of origin for any steel product used in the completion of a natural gas well.
The information is already gathered because of requirements in Act 13, the state’s natural gas drilling law, but H.B. 2480 would allow the data to be easily accessible by Pennsylvania residents.
White said the legislation would not impose any new requirements on the industry. Instead, it would shine a light on whether companies are helping to promote American jobs or their bottom lines.
According to recent media reports, 77 percent of unconventional gas wells drilled in Pennsylvania were built mainly with foreign-produced steel; 12 percent of the wells were built with American steel; and 11 percent used a mix of American and imported steel during the last two years since the reporting requirement within Act 13 took effect.
White said that while the economic benefits already seen as a result of natural gas drilling in the region cannot be ignored, anything the legislature can do to further promote and protect American jobs should be welcomed.