Alva Review-Courier -

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — For years, environmental advocates have sought a tax on Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale natural gas production while business associations have sought speedier state approval of permits for the activities of polluting industries.

Now, legislation approved by the Republican-controlled state Senate gave both provisions an unexpected and unwelcome passenger: each other.

The lightning-strike compromise package was quietly negotiated for several weeks in the Senate before becoming public July 26 as lawmakers worked to break a stalemate over balancing a gaping hole in the state...