Corbett to sign drilling emergency-response bill

   HARRISBURG, Pa. --

Gov. Tom Corbett is planning to sign newly passed legislation designed to provide an emergency response plan and accurate GPS coordinates for each Marcellus Shale well site in Pennsylvania.

   The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously this week, is the second Marcellus Shale-related bill to go to Corbett's desk. It passed the House last month.

   Under the bill, state regulators must write emergency regulations ordering the well operators to provide emergency response agencies with an emergency response plan and a unique GPS coordinate address for both the well site and the access road entrance.

   The operators also must post a reflective sign at the entrance to each well site with the address, GPS coordinates, the operator's emergency contact number and anything else state regulators decide to require.