Moratorium
On October 26, 2010 Governor Edward G. Rendell signed an executive order to prohibit any further natural gas development activities on Pennsylvania’s state forests.
Approximately 700,000 acres of Pennsylvania’s state forest are currently available for natural gas production, and when completely developed over the next 30 years, these leased lands will include about 1,000 well pads and as many as 10,000 wells. However, an additional 800,000 acres of state forest that covers the Marcellus Shale formation is part of Governor Rendell’s moratorium and cannot be used for natural gas production. The moratorium remains in place at the discretion of the Pennsylvania's governor. Governor-Elect Tom Corbett has indicated that he is not in favor of this moratorium, but it will remain in effect at least until he takes office in January 2011.
