In the DEP inspection report, the compliant was summarized this way--
"They installed a compressor on the well pad seven years ago. Complainant has been fighting them in court ever since.
“They have ignored complainant's lawyers.
“Complainant had an expert acoustical engineer costing him/her over $10,000. The Engineer made a report on the noise levels that proved the noise was excessive.
“The problem is ongoing causing extreme emotional distress and health issues.
“There are no [local] noise ordinances where complainant lives. Complainant would like to know if DEP can please help.
“Complainant has tried everything and contacted everyone and received no help."
DEP contacted the Expand Operating about the complaint and the company said-- "A noise study was completed which did not identify any concerns and there are trees planted near the well pad that were in part placed there to eliminate noise."
There was no further mention of the noise issue in the inspection report, or whether a copy of the noise study was requested from the owner.
The report went on to describe the well site in terms of compliance with erosion and sedimentation requirements.
Click Here for DEP’s inspection report. [Note: Names of complainants are kept confidential.]
Background
DEP regulations covering conventional and shale gas operations contain no standard for noise from these facilities.
Noise regulation is left to local governments to handle and they often do not address the issue.
In April 2015, DEP proposed regulations changes for public comment that included noise mitigation performance standards [Read more here], but the standards were removed in the final version adopted as final in 2016.
DEP was quoted by PublicSource.org in August of 2015 as saying they were taken out “due to the ‘complex nature’ of noise mitigation, they [DEP] decided to tackle rules for noise in a separate process.” Read more here.
There was a follow-up discussion of developing a “best practices” document on noise control at shale gas wells sites at the April 13, 2017 Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting.
After 11 years, the issue has not yet been addressed.
On April 30, DEP told the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board that development of updated regulations covering conventional oil and gas operations would not be moving forward and there was no mention of any general update of shale gas regulations or changes covering noise in the near future. Read more here.
DEP is now reviewing a rulemaking petition accepted by the Environmental Quality Board in December suggesting changes to setback distances to better protect residents, school students, health care facilities and other sensitive populations from the impacts of shale gas wells. Read more here.
The discussion of increasing setbacks often includes the impacts of noise on residents living near shale gas well drilling operations.
There have been very vivid descriptions published of the impacts of noise, particularly low-frequency noise, on residents.
Michelle Stonemark told the story of what she and her family experienced living 500 feet [the current minimum setback distance] away from a shale gas well pad in Cecil Township, Washington County for the last 8 years. Read more here.
“The noises that we were hearing were low-frequency noises, and I always tell people that they're called dBCs,” said Stonemark.
“I always tell people to explain it. Imagine you're in your car, and the car next to you pulls up right next to you, and its bass is really thumping in its car.
“You can feel it in your car. You can feel it in your car, you can feel it in your body. Your change is rattling in your cup holder.” Read more here.
The Environmental Health Project offers a fact sheet on noise, light and vibration impacts from oil and gas operations that provides an overview of the issues.
The Environmental Health Project released a white paper in April 2025-- PA’s Shale Gas - What We Can Do Now To Better Protect Public Health-- that includes a call for addressing the noise issue.
The Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition offers information on how the industry looks at noise issues from an occupational health and noise management perspective. Read more here.
(Photos: Williams-Aeppli shale gas well pad - line shows 892 feet; Compressor building at the pad.)
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP: Sandstone Development LLC Operating Illegal Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County; Disposed Of 191,982 Gallons Of Wastewater, So Far [PaEN]
-- DEP: Expand Operating Delhagen Shale Gas Wells Contaminate 2nd Water Supply, Part Of Ongoing Well Integrity Problems For Last 15 Years In Rush Twp., Susquehanna County [PaEN]
-- DEP Issues 8 More Violations To Delta Inland Oil Res LLC For Abandoning, Not Plugging Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Warren County [PaEN]
-- DEP Issues Rice Drilling [EQT] Violations For Abandoning, Not Plugging 2 Shale Gas Wells Left Partially Drilled For 11 Years In Greene County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Blackhill Energy To Start Permanent Remediation Of Areas Impacted By Six Inadvertent Return Spills From Horizontal Drilling Of Sultana Pipeline In Springfield Twp., Bradford County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Complaint By Neighbor Experiencing Impacts From Compressor Noise For 7 Years From Shale Gas Well Pad In Bradford County Again Raises The Issue Of Why There Are No Noise Standards For Oil & Gas Operations [PaEN]
-- DEP Sets June 25 Hearing On Air Permit For ETC Northeast Pipeline Cryo II Project At The Revolution Cryogenic Natural Gas Processing Plant In Smith Twp., Washington County [PaEN]
-- Citizen Science: Penn State Geographers Need Help Testing Interactive Natural Gas Infrastructure Mapping Tools On May 29-30 At Penn State Beaver Campus, Beaver County [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 33 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In April; 133 In 2026 [PaEN]
-- PUC Schedules In-Person, Telephonic Public Hearings On 13.1% Rate Increase Proposed By Peoples Natural Gas Starting June 2 [PaEN]
-- PUC PaOneCall Damage Prevention Committee Announces $183,750 In Penalties For Underground Utility, Pipeline Violations; Next Meeting June 9
NewsClips:
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Calfrac Fracking Services Company Based In Canada Closing Fayette County Office, Cutting 75 Jobs
-- Reuters: Four US LNG Gas Vessels Sailing To China After President’s Summit
[Posted: May 29, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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