PA Environment Digest Blog

Thursday, October 29, 2026

PennDOT Invests $37 Million In Federal Funds To Building More Than 500 Electric Vehicle Charging Ports In Southeast PA; Applications Being Accepted For Grants In Western, Central, Eastern PA

On October 28, Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll announced a $37 million investment to build more publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties as part of the Community Charging phase of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

This investment will bring 515 new public EV charging ports online in the region to support growing demand for EV infrastructure.

Through the Community Charging funding rounds, the Shapiro Administration is directing over $100 million total in federal funding to build public EV charging stations in Pennsylvania communities, in addition to the $58 million already invested in the Commonwealth’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) and Corridor Connections.

This funding announcement builds on the Commonwealth’s leadership in the NEVI program, with 54 stations built using NEVI funds — more than double the number that any other state has opened. Additionally, there are 34 more stations in various stages of planning and construction.

"The Shapiro Administration hit the ground running with EV funding and the results speak for themselves," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Under the Governor’s leadership, Delaware Valley residents and travelers will soon have access to more than 500 new EV chargers in their communities.

Click Here for a list of projects funded and PennDOT's announcement

Apply Now

PennDOT is accepting applications for Community Charging funding rounds in Western PA - Nov. 20 deadline; and Central and Eastern PA - March 12 deadline.

[Posted: October 29, 2026] PA Environment Digest

DEP Investigates Transfer Of Conventional Well Ownership, Finds Abandoned, Unplugged Well Leaking Gas 10 Feet From Apartment Building In Washington County

On October 26, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Alexander Selwyn conventional gas well owned by Don Wright in North Strabane Township, Washington County as part of an investigation into its change in ownership.

DEP found the well was abandoned and not plugged and was leaking gas 10 feet from an apartment building and “distressed” area of vegetation was apparent from a gas line leading from the well.

DEP also found the owner failed to submit annual production and waste generation and well integrity reports.

The owner also failed to notify DEP of a change in ownership for the well within 30 days of the transfer.

Multiple violations were issued. A response was requested by November 13.

Click Here for the DEP inspection report + photos.

Don Wright holds one permit.

Report Violations

To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.

Text photos and the location of abandoned wells to 717-788-8990.

Check These Resources

Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

Sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE service which sends you information on oil and gas and other permits submitted to DEP for review in your community.

Use DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool to find if there are oil and gas wells near or on your property and to find wells using latitude and longitude on well inspection reports.

(Photos: Conventional well near apartment building; Area of distressed vegetation from gas line leading from well.)

[Note: If you believe your company was listed in error, contact DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]

[Note: These may not be all the NOVs issued to oil and gas companies during this time period. Additional inspection reports may be added to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.]

-- PA Weekly Oil & Gas Compliance Snapshot - October 24 to 30

-- DEP: Fracking Fluid Hose Rupture Contaminates Range Resources Appalachia Shale Gas Pad, And Down The Well Pad Slope In Washington County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Release From Diversified Production LLC Conventional Contaminated Water Pipeline Pollutes Field In Indiana County [PaEN]

-- DEP Investigates Transfer Of Conventional Well Ownership, Finds Abandoned, Unplugged Well Leaking Gas 10 Feet From Apartment Building In Washington County [PaEN]

DEP: Fracking Fluid Hose Rupture Contaminates Range Resources Appalachia Shale Gas Pad, And Down The Well Pad Slope In Washington County

On October 21, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Range Resources Appalachia LLC Wylie Dennis 17563 shale gas well in response to a spill notification on October 20 in Buffalo Township, Washington County.

DEP found a large hose holding fracking fluid ruptured during fracking operations resulting in a release of fluid that contaminated an area about 250 x 150 feet on the pad outside of secondary containment.

What was described as a “mist” of fracking fluid from the ruptured hose also contaminated an area 250 x 100 feet down the southern cutslope of the well pad.

Field measurements confirmed the rough area of contamination.

During the inspection contaminated material was being removed from a portion of the well pad, but cleanup had not yet started on the impacted southern slope of the pad.

The owner proposes to remove the contaminated vegetation and soil on the slope for disposal.

Three rolloff boxes had been filled with contaminated material and a fourth was onsite. More boxes are expected to be needed.

DEP also noted the secondary containment inspection log said damage was found and repaired in containment on October 16.

Multiple violations issued. DEP requested a response by November 9.

The owner said 126 gallons of fracking fluid was released, but DEP specifically asked for “an updated quantity of the produced water released and the duration that it was in contact with the ground” to be included in the response.

Click Here for DEP inspection report + photos.

What’s In Fracking Water

A fact sheet from the Environmental Health Project, fracking water is a mixture of water, chemicals (such as methanol, ethylene glycol, and biocides), and proppants (fine sand) used in shale gas drilling operations.

Fracking water is forced down the wellbore at high pressure in order to fracture the shale and free the gas.

As pressure is released, some of the HFF returns to the surface along with contaminated water from the gas formations, radioactive materials, gases, and metals.

This combination of materials is called flowback and “produced” (contaminated) water. It is considered highly toxic.

Some of the injected fluids are proprietary, so we don’t even know what they are.