DEP, Others Recommend Ways To Strengthen PUC Regulations On Natural Gas, Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Safety; Oil, Gas, Pipeline Industry Opposes New Rules

On April 12, the Department of Environmental Protection and others submitted comments to the Public Utility Commission recommending ways to strengthen its regulations covering the safety of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. 

The pipeline and oil/natural gas industry and several unions submitted comments opposing the regulations saying they went impermissibly beyond federal law.

The PUC invited comments on the issue in a February 12 notice of proposed rulemaking and initial comments were due April 13.  Read more here.

Among DEP recommendations were--

-- Affected Public: Define an area within 1,000 feet from the limit of disturbance as the affected area for purposes of surface landowner notifications, water supply protection and setbacks.

-- Trenchless Construction: Add provision linking the PUC’s regulations to DEP guidance setting standards for Trenchless Construction of pipelines [Read more here].

-- Water Wells, Supplies: Recommends removing the provision saying DEP “believes that adverse impacts to water wells and supplies are already adequately addressed by” DEP.

-- Notice By People Affected By Pollution: Strengthen provisions related to handling complaints by people suffering pollution and water supply impacts by pipeline construction.

Click Here for a copy of DEP’s comments.

Supporting Comments

Among entities supporting the regulation and offering ways to strengthen the requirements were--

-- Sen. Carolyn Comitta - add provisions on siting pipelines

-- Rep. Danielle Friel Otten - add safety setbacks, real time leak protection

-- County Commissioners Association of PA - add to public safety, notification

-- Clean Air Council, Other Environmental Groups - add more enforcement provisions

Opposing Comments

Among entities opposing the regulations were--

-- American Petroleum Institute/Midstream Association, Other Industry groups

-- Range Resources

-- Sunoco/Energy Transfer Partners (Mariner East, Revolution Pipelines)

-- Boilermakers Local 13

-- IBEW Local 654

-- Steamfitters Local 420

To view comments, visit the PUC’s referencing Docket No. L-2019-3010267. 

(Photo: Site of 2018 explosion of the brand new Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline in Beaver County.)

Related Articles:

-- PUC Invites Public Comments On Enhancements To Regulation Covering Petroleum & Hazardous Liquids Pipelines

-- Senate Budget Hearings: PA’s Experience With New Pipeline Construction Shows State Laws Not Strong Enough To Prevent Environmental Damage, Protect Public Safety

-- PUC, DEP: There Needs To Be A Serious Conversation On Legislation Controlling Pipeline Siting

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Technical Guidance On Trenchless Pipeline Construction

[Posted: April 16, 2022]  PA Environment Digest