The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday posted the final version of proposed changes to Chapter 78 and 78A conventional and unconventional and drilling regulation changes on the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board and the Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee webpages.
The final version notes changes from the Advanced Notice of Final Rulemaking published by DEP on April 4 for comment. A summary of the changes is also provided.
“Responsible energy development in Pennsylvania is key to the commonwealth’s future,” said DEP Secretary John Quigley. “We are committed to protecting our natural resources, and these rules strengthen safeguards for our water and environment.”
“These rules are the culmination of one of the largest public participation efforts the department has ever seen, with nearly 30,000 comments and 12 public hearings during two public comment periods,” said Quigley.
The amendments to the oil and gas regulations began in 2011 to address surface activities at well sites, and center on five core areas.
The amendments: Improve protection of water resources; Add public resources considerations; Protect public health and safety; Address landowner concerns; and Enhance transparency and improve data management
“We asked the people of Pennsylvania for their concerns about developing oil and gas resources in the commonwealth, and they answered,” said Quigley. “These amendments reflect a balance between meeting the needs of the industry and the needs of public health and the environment; all while enabling drilling to proceed.”
After the latest round of public comment, two significant changes were made. DEP decided not to include the provisions for noise mitigation and centralized storage tanks for wastewater in the final regulations.
Because of the complex nature of noise mitigation, it was determined that a separate process is more appropriate to address those concerns. In terms of centralized storage tanks, the department decided to remove this provision because these facilities will continue to be regulated under the residual waste regulations.
In addition, changes were made in this latest draft to address comments received and add clarity.
The Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on the changes August 27 starting at 10:00 a.m. in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg. The meeting will also be webcast. Click Here to register for the morning session. Click Here to register for the afternoon session.
The Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on on the changes September 2 starting at 10:00 a.m. in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg. The meeting will also be webcast. Click Here to register for the morning session. Click Here to register for the afternoon session.
For more information, visit DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board and the Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee webpages.
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