Calvey: State Revenues Could Reach ‘Dust Bowl Proportions’ If Local Drilling Bans Increase
State revenue will fall by ‘Dust Bowl proportions’ if local ordinances governing drilling aren’t curbed, lawmaker says
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY — State revenue will fall by “Dust Bowl proportions” unless local ordinances governing oil and gas drilling are curbed, the chairman of a key House committee said Tuesday.
“We need this bill to preserve the tax base, preserve the drilling, etc.,” said Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Tulsa, in debating for Senate Bill 468, by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward, during a meeting of the House Environmental Law Committee that Calvey chairs.
When Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater, protested that the bill would repeal a local ordinance provision in place since at least 1935, Calvey said: “You hear a lot about local control. It’s used as kind of a shibboleth around here. Folks, I believe in states’ rights, not some amorphous local control.”
The bill was one of three intended to protect oil and gas interests advanced by the committee on Tuesday. The panel also approved a measure sought by Attorney General Scott Pruitt in anticipation of a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over pending air quality standards.