DEP Invites Comments On Stormwater Permit For PPL Electric Harwood To Harleigh Substation Transmission Line Project In Luzerne County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 22 PA Bulletin inviting comments on an Individual Stormwater Permit for a PPL Electric Harwood to Harleigh substation transmission line project in Hazle Township and West Hazleton Borough, Luzerne County to support A.I. data center development.  (PA Bulletin, page 5588) 

This project involves the installation of a second 230 kV circuit on an existing utility transmission line. This additional circuit results in the replacement, in kind, of approximately ten (10) existing utility poles. All existing cover types will be restored.

No hearing has been scheduled on this application, but one may be requested.

Comments are due September 21-- 30 days from this notice.

Comments and/or requests for a hearing should be sent to DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 or by email to: RA-EPWW-NERO@pa.gov. 

To schedule an in-person review of this permit application, contact DEP’s Northeast Regional Office File Review Coordinate at 570-826-5472.

Visit DEP’s Data Center Permit Tracker webpage for information on pending permits for A.I. data center projects established by Gov. Shapiro’s Data Center Executive Order.

The Governor’s executive order requires data center developers to obtain all permits and local approvals before DEP can review any permits for the facility.

To provide information to the state on new data center proposals and whether they meet the requirements in Gov. Shapiro’s Data Center Executive Order, visit the Data Center Feedback webpage.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Related Articles This Week:

-- Gov. Shapiro Signs Executive Order Requiring A.I. Data Center Developers To Sign Consent Order Binding Them To Comply With GRID Principals, Including Clean Energy; DEP Will Not Review Permits Until Communities Give Their Approval  [PaEN] 

-- TheDerrick.com: Gov. Shapiro Invites Public To Provide Information To State On A.I. Data Center Development In Their Communities Thru New Webpage  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Urges Federal Energy Regulatory Commission To Modernize Evaluation of Regional Electricity Transmission Projects  [PaEN]  

-- Reuters: PJM Grid Electric Transmission Constraint Costs Surge To $6 Billion In 2026

-- Utility Dive: PJM Taking 2nd Look At Connecting New Generation With Surplus, Unused Interconnections Already Approved

-- PJM Interconnection Announces New 5-Year Strategy Outline Focusing On Grid Reliability, More Transparency On Energy Costs  [PaEN] 

-- PUC PaOneCall Damage Prevention Committee Announces $128,000 In Penalties For Underground Utility Excavation Violations; Next Meeting Sept. 15

-- PJM Interconnection: Registration Opens For GridAdvance Summit Oct. 15 At PJM Training Center

[Posted: August 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 35 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In July; 223 In 2026

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the August 22 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 35 general water use permits in June for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming counties.

So far in 2026, SRBC issued 223  shale gas-related general permits.

A separate water withdrawal approval is required by SRBC for actually withdrawing water from a specific water source for use by shale gas drilling operations.  Read more here.

So far in 2026, SRBC has issued one new shale gas water withdrawal approval.  Read more here.

New/Renewed General Permits

Here is the list of new general permits renewed or issued in July--

-- NEW. Beech Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Foxtrot East Well Site; ABR-202606004; Anthony Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 16, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: D17-PPHC-B; ABR-201103023.R3; Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 16, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—BKV Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Johnston 1 Pad; ABR-201106009.R3; Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 21, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Belawske; ABR-201107002.R3; Burlington Borough, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 21, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Mitchell Well Pad; ABR-201105026.R3; Franklin Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 21, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Null, Eugene Unit # 2H—# 7H Drilling Pad; ABR-201104011.R3; Lewis Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 21, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Shipman, James Unit # 1H and # 2H Drilling Pad; ABR-201104014.R3; Lewis Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 21, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Drake 274; ABR-201106003.R3; Lawrence Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 22, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Gamble Pad R; ABR-201606001.R2; Eldred Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 22, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—BKV Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Giangrieco Pad; ABR-201107011.R3; Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Clean Energy Exploration & Production, LLC; Pad ID: Whispering Pines Pad 1; ABR-201606004.R2; Delmar Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—EQT ARO, LLC; Pad ID: Salt Run Pad A Ext; ABR-202107001.R1; Cascade Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Lambs Farm; ABR-201106023.R3; Smithfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—LPR Energy, LLC; Pad ID: Snow Shoe 2; ABR-201011007.R3; Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—LPR Energy, LLC; Pad ID: Snow Shoe 4; ABR-201011042.R3; Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Mohawk South Unit Well Pad; ABR-201606002.R2; Gallagher Township, Clinton County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Shipman-Goodwill Unit # 1H—# 4H Drilling Pad; ABR-201104016.R3; Lewis Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: ALDERSON (05 011) V; ABR-201104008.R3; Pike Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: DORN (02 180) A; ABR-201604003.R2; Hamilton Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Yourgalite 1119; ABR-201012056.R3; Farmington Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: July 27, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: ACW; ABR-201107004.R3; Leroy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Burns; ABR-201107038.R3; Ulster Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Fisher; ABR-201107047.R3; Wysox Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: IH; ABR-201106014.R3; Stevens Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: J & J; ABR-201106015.R3; Smithfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Knickerbocker; ABR-201106013.R3; Franklin Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Layton; ABR-201107036.R3; Litchfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Mel; ABR-201106012.R3; Franklin Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Neal; ABR-201106010.R3; Leroy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Nichols; ABR-201106024.R3; Smithfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Oilcan; ABR-201107037.R3; Overton Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Paul; ABR-201107048.R3; Ulster Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Ramblinrose; ABR-201105003.R3; Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Sadecki Well Pad; ABR-201105020.R3; Liberty Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: SJW; ABR-201107003.R3; Wilmot Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: July 31, 2026.

Expanded Application Info Available

Information available on pending and issued water withdrawals is available on SRBC’s Water Application and Approval Viewer webpage.

The Commission expanded the information available on general and other permits, noting any opportunities to comment and more.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

Related Articles This Week:

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 35 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In July; 223 In 2026  [PaEN]

-- DEP Finalizes Spill/Release Notification Guidance Under Clean Streams Law  [PaEN]  

NewsClips:

-- The Citizens’ Voice: Small But Mighty: Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Celebrates 30 Years Of Revitalizing Region’s Coal Land   [PDF of Article]

-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: DEP To Study Whether 11,000 Acres In Westmoreland County Is ‘Unsuitable’ For Coal Mining

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: Researchers Find Microplastics In Insects From Schuylkill River Watershed 

-- The Citizens’ Voice: Swarms Of Mayflies In Wilkes-Barre A Good Sign For The Susquehanna River

[Posted: August 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

DEP Finalizes Spill/Release Notification Guidance Under Clean Streams Law

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 22 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of final Guidance on Notification Requirements for Unauthorized Discharges to Waters of the Commonwealth Under Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law. [DEP ID: 383-4200-003]

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the immediate notification requirements for unauthorized discharges of a substance that would cause or threaten pollution to waters of this Commonwealth, endanger downstream users or damage property.

DEP originally published the draft guidance for comment in October 2021.

DEP said major changes from the original version included--

-- Revisions to clarify what incidents and activities can result in unauthorized discharges, and which unauthorized discharges require immediate Department notification under 25 Pa. Code § 91.33(a) (relating to incidents causing or threatening pollution).

-- Revisions that identify other notification requirements and guidance that may apply to unauthorized discharges from certain types of facilities or activities (for example, storage tanks, oil and gas wells and solid waste facilities).

-- Revisions to clarify how standards for surface waters and groundwater relate to notification requirements for unauthorized discharges.

-- Addition of factors to the example risk characterization framework, as recommended by commenters.

-- Revisions to several of the example scenarios and associated text to clarify the intent of the examples, and to clarify why each example scenario either requires, may require or does not require immediate Department notification.

-- Addition of a brief section regarding how the Department uses its enforcement discretion

DEP received comments from 639 commenters, including 582 identical form letter comments, and prepared a Comment/Response Document to respond to those comments.

However, the comments were not matched to the individuals or groups who made the comments in the document.  There is simply a list of commenters at the end of the document.

Click Here for a copy of the Final Guidance and the Comment/Response Document.

Background On Spill Notification

This issue was first raised by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) in 2019 when he introduced Senate Bill 619 that redefined water pollution under the state Clean Streams Law and let companies decide when they should notify DEP of a spill.

The legislation was opposed by sportsmen, environmental, the PA Environmental Council and Environmental Defense Foundation, county conservation districts and many other groups.  Read more here.

The bill was introduced in response to the concerns of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation which was unhappy with an April 17, 2017 settlement with DEP over an appeal of a stormwater pollution prevention permit for its West Point, Montgomery County plant (Environmental Hearing Board Docket No. 2015-011-L).

Legal counsel for Merck testified in favor of Senate Bill 619 on September 30, 2020 before the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.  Read more here.

DEP developed and put out for comment this draft Guidance on the issue on October 16, 2021.

The last version of the legislation, changed from the original-- Senate Bill 286 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)-- was reported out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on January 31, 2023 and Tabled.

In November 2024, moving in a different direction, DEP had the Environmental Quality Board adopt a proposed regulation outlining spill notification requirements and published the regulation for comment on April 5, 2025.  Read more here.

In an April 8, 2026 email to EQB members and other stakeholders, DEP said-- “the Board received more than 1,110 public comments and testimony on the proposed rulemaking from the business community, municipal authorities, water utilities, trade associations, environmental groups, local governments, and the public.” Read more here.

“Considering the competing perspectives from a diverse group of commentators, the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) believes that guidance, rather than a regulatory revision, is a better tool for providing increased clarity and basis for consistency on this topic, while allowing for the situation-specific flexibility that is inherently needed when it comes to evaluating the likelihood that any particular unauthorized discharge will threaten or cause pollution to waters of the Commonwealth.”

DEP did just that and went straight to a final guidance document with the changes outline above.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

[Posted: August 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest