PA Environment Digest Blog: PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment

The following notices were published in the October 26 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

-- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 26, 2024 PA Bulletin extending the three Air Quality Permits needed for the temporary operation of the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County until a full Title V Air Quality Permit can be put in place. (PA Bulletin, page 6791-6792) Read more here.

-- On October 22, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting Qualified Professional bids through the Pennsylvania eMarketplace for reviewers of four DEP permit applications under the new SPEED [Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion And Development] Permit Review Program. Read more here.

-- The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the October 26 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 20 general water use permits in September for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Sullivan, and Susquehanna counties. This brings the total general water permits approved by the SRBC in 2024 to 232. Read more here.

Land Recycling/Brownfield Cleanups

-- EQT Corporation - Hoosker Doo Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP received a Final Report on remediation of soil contaminated with aluminum, barium, boron chloride, iron, lithium, manganese, selenium, strontium, vanadium, zinc, Benzene, tert-Butylbenzene, sec-Butylbenzene, Cyclohexane, Ethylbenzene, Isopropylbenzene (Cumene), Naphthalene, Toluene, Total Xylenes, Trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-, Trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-, Acenaphthene, Anthra- cene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Benzo(g,h,i)perylene, Biphenyl, Chrysene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, 2-Methyl- naphthalene, Phenanthrene, Phenol, Pyrene to meet the Statewide Health Standards located in Aleppo Twp., Greene County. . (PA Bulletin, page 6786)

-- Dupont Terminals-DE, LLC - Dupont Terminal: DEP received a Final Report on remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with petroleum to meet Site-Specific Standards at the facility located in Pittston Twp., Luzerne County. (PA Bulletin, page 6785)

-- EQT Corporation - Hunnel Booster Station: DEP received a Final Report on remediation of soil contaminated with inorganics to meet Statewide Health Starands at the facility located in Whitely Twp., Greene County. (PA Bulletin, page 6786)

-- Coterra Energy, Inc. - P.Waldenberger Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP approved a Final Report on remediation of soil contaminated with production wastewater to meet the Statewide Health Standards at the pad located in Dimock Twp., Susquehanna County. (PA Bulletin, page 6787)

-- D. Marc Jacobs Jr. - Tutelo #2 Conventional Oil Well: DEP approved a Final Report on the remediation of soil contaminated with crude oil to meet Statewide Health Standards at the well located in Upper Burrell Twp., Westmoreland County. (PA Bulletin, page 6788)

-- Robert Ingram - Cole #1 Conventional Oil Well: DEP approved a Final Report on the remediation of soil contaminated with crude oil to meet Statewide Health Standards at the well located in Somerset Twp., Washington County. (PA Bulletin, page 6788)

-- Diversified Production, LLC - Loyalhanna #2 Conventional Gas Well: DEP approved a Final Report on the remediation of soil contaminated with Aluminum, Barium, Boron Chloride, Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Selenium Strontium, Vanadium, Zinc (production wastewater) to meet Statewide Health Standards at the well located in Loyalhanna Twp., Westmoreland County. (PA Bulletin, page 6788)

2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups

So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 235 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups.

Air Quality Permits

-- Williams Field Services Company, LLC - White Compressor Station: DEP renewed the GP-5 General Air Quality Permit covering multiple air pollution sources for the facility located in Springville Twp., Susquehanna County. Application received Sept. 30, 2024, approved Oct. 9, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6789)

-- Williams Field Services Company, LLC - Gibson Compressor Station: DEP renewed the GP-5 General Air Quality Permit covering multiple air pollution sources for the facility located in Gibson Twp., Susquehanna County. Application received Sept. 30, 2024, approved Oct. 9, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6789)

-- Range Resources Appalachia, LLC - DMC Properties 11042 Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP issued a GP-5 General Air Quality Permit covering multiple air pollution sources, including pigging stations at the facility located in Donegal Twp., Washington County. Application received Aug. 15, 2024, approved Oct. 10, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6790)

-- United Refining Company - Warren Refinery; DEP issued Air Quality Plan Approval for a 5.8 million gallon finished gasoline and naphtha storage tank at the facility located in Warren, Warren County. Application received Sept. 15, 2023, approved Aug. 19, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6790)

-- Columbia Gas Transmission LLC - Artemas Compressor Station: DEP extended an Air Quality Plan Approval for the facility located in Mann Twp., Bedford County. Application received Sept. 20, 2025, approved Oct. 11, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6790)

-- Earthcare LLC - Biomass Gas/Biochar Facility: DEP extended an Air Quality Plan Approval for a biomass gas facility located in Bethel Twp., Berks County. Application received Sept. 27, 2024, approved Oct. 8, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6791)

-- Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC - Shell Petrochemical Plant: DEP extended three Air Quality Operating Permits to allow for the temporary operation of the facility located in Potter Twp., Beaver County. Application received Sept. 13, 2024, approved Oct. 9, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6791)

-- Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage, Inc. - Salem Twp. Compressor Station: DEP renewed Title V Air Quality Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Salem Twp., Westmoreland County. Application received April 19, 2023. (PA Bulletin, page 6792)

-- Compass Natural Gas Partners LP - Quaker CNG Truck Terminal: DEP renewed a State Only Air Quality Permit covering multiple sources of air pollution at the facility located in Upper Fairfield Twp., Lycoming County. Application received July 16, 2024, approved Oct. 11, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6792)

-- National Fuel Gas Supply Corp - Buffalo Compressor Station: DEP amended the Air Quality Permit with a new responsible official for the facility located in Buffalo Twp., Washington County. Application received Aug. 26, 2024, approved Oct. 10, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6793)

Chapter 105 Encroachment Permits

-- Chesapeake Appalachia LLC - 16-Inch Water Pipeline: DEP invites comments on a Chapter 105 Permit for a project impacting Exceptional Value wetlands, Black Creek [Exceptional Value] , South Branch Towanda Creek, Satterlee Run (High Quality) and Ladds Creek located in Albany, Monroe and Overton Townships, Bradford County. (PA Bulletin, page 6762)

-- Chesapeake Appalachia LLC - Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP approved a Chapter 105 Environmental Assessment for a well pad construction project impacting wetlands located in Orwell Twp., Bradford County. Application received June 7, 2024, approved Oct. 9. (PA Bulletin, page 6796)

-- Columbia Gas Transmission LLC - Line 1711 Indiana County Cathodic Protection Project: DEP issued a Chapter 105 permit for a cathodic protection project along a pipeline route in Clearfield and Indiana Counties. (PA Bulletin, page 6801)

-- Columbia Gas Transmission LLC - Line 1711 Westmoreland County Cathodic Protection Project: DEP issued a Chapter 105 permit for a cathodic protection project along a pipeline route in Westmoreland County. (PA Bulletin, page 6801)

Erosion & Sedimentation Permits

-- SWN Production Co LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Beaver Creek (High Quality) and Dubois Creek located in Franklin Twp., Susquehanna County. Application received April 29, 2024, approved Oct. 8, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6796)

-- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Riley Creek located in Auburn Twp., Susquehanna County. Application received Sept. 17, 2024, approved Oct. 9, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6796)

-- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Snyder Creek located in Sheshequin Twp., Bradford County. Application received Sept. 13, 2024, approved Oct. 10, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6796)

-- Seneca Resources Co LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Heise Run located in Delmar Twp., Tioga County. Application received Aug. 13, 2024, approved Oct. 9, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6796)

-- Seneca Resources Co LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting the Tioga River and Canoe Camp Creek located in Covington and Richmond Townships, Tioga County. Application received Aug. 26, 2024, approved Oct. 10, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6796)

-- Pine Oak Energy Partners, LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Otter Creek located in Fairview Twp., Mercer County. Application received May 21, 2024, approved Oct. 11, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6797)

-- Equitrans Water Service (PA), LLC - NIMCH007 Water Pipeline: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a pipeline project impacting Lobbs Run located in Union Twp., Washington County. Application received July 26, 2024, approved Oct. 8, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6797)

-- Yellowbird Energy LLC - Polar Vortex Shale Gas Well Site: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a well pad project impacting Garneer Run (High Quality) located in Jackson Twp., Greene County. Application received Aug. 8, 2024, approved Oct. 8, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6797)

-- CNX Midstream OPR Co, LLC - NAM14U1 Gas Pipeline, Water Pipeline: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a pipeline project impacting Beaver Run located in Bell and Washington Townships, Westmoreland County. Application received May 22, 2024, approved Oct. 9, 2024. (PA Bulletin, page 6797)

Oil & Gas Well Drilling Permits [10.18.24]*

-- Last Week - Permits: DEP issued 1 conventional and 4 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Permits: DEP issued 170 conventional and 414 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Wells Drilled: 139 conventional and 254 unconventional

*Weekly Workload Report - 10.18.24

Oil & Gas Well Drilling Permits [10.11.24]*

-- Last Week - Permits: DEP issued 0 conventional and 6 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Permits: DEP issued 169 conventional and 410 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Wells Drilled: 135 conventional and 249 unconventional

*Weekly Workload Report - 10.11.24

*DEP’s Weekly Oil & Gas Program Workload Report - Most Recent

DEP Issued These New Oil & Gas Permits *

*Click Here to find oil and gas well permits recently issued near you

Did you know DEP can send you email notices when permit applications are submitted to DEP in your community?

This is the only way you can get notified of when oil and gas-related permits are submitted to DEP.

You’ll also get notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations.

Click Here to sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE today!

Act 14 Notices To Municipalities

Many communities and citizens are not aware that a state law passed in 1984 gives them the first chance to comment on Department of Environmental Protection permit applications even before they are submitted to the agency. Read more here.

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - October 19 to 25 - DEP Abandoned Conventional Well Violations Top 814; Conventional Owner Ignores Order; Gas Leaks & Spills [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 26 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 78 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 26 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Oil & Gas - National Debate

-- NY Post: Fracking Could Decide The Election In Pennsylvania And Nationwide

-- Wall Street Journal Guest Essay: Fracking Isn’t As Popular (Or Important) In Pennsylvania As You Think; The Truth For Residents Is More Complicated [PDF of Article] - By Colin Jerolmack, Author Of Up To Heaven And Down To Hell and Sean O’Leary, Ohio River Valley Institute

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Range Resources Marks 20th Anniversary Of First Marcellus Shale Well [PDF of Article]

-- Environmental, Health Groups Submit Petition To Environmental Quality Board For More Protective Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells For Schools, Daycares, Hospitals, Buildings, Drinking Water Wells, Surface Water [PaEN]

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rig Count Down To 12, Lowest In More Than 17 Years; Community Support Drops; Big Hole In DEP Budget [PaEN]

-- Dr. Susan L. Brantley Named A Distinguished Daughter Of Pennsylvania For Her Research On Water, Geology And The Environmental Impacts Of Natural Gas, Oil Extraction [PaEN]

-- DEP Plugs Conventional Gas Well Orphaned By The Well Owner That Contaminated A Clarion County Family's Drinking Water Well; Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners Continue To Abandoned Their Wells - 814 Violations So Far In 2024 - 2 New Plugging Grant Programs [PaEN]