WVa judge allows new gas drilling in state park

[jason]

A Texas-based oil and gas company should be allowed permits for five gas wells in Chief Logan State Park, a circuit judge said in a ruling that halted a state effort to block the drilling.
The state Department of Environmental Protection has four months to appeal the ruling by Logan County Circuit Judge Roger Perry. Ray Franks, the agency's general counsel, said Monday a final decision on whether to file a petition for appeal hasn't been made yet.
Perry ruled that the DEP lacked the authority to deny permits for the gas wells to Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., because the 1965 statute cited by the agency in its denial refers to the state Division of Natural Resources, not the DEP.
"We are pleased with and appreciate the ruling by Judge Perry and believe that it is the correct ruling" said attorney Tim Miller with Robinson and McElwee, a Charleston-based law firm that represents the company.



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