Also on the agenda is an agency update by Ramez Ziadeh, Acting DEP Executive Deputy Secretary, and a presentation by Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward on his new book “Cradle Of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania.”
CNX Resources
In November 2023, CNX Resources and Gov. Shapiro signed a “statement of mutual interests” to increase air monitoring around shale gas drilling sites and other infrastructure, temporarily extend some setbacks and do more to disclose chemicals used in the fracking process. Read more here.
CNX Resources CEO Nicholas Deluliis called the new approach “radical transparency.”
At the announcement, Deluliis said the purpose of the new policy was-- “To definitively confirm, for all stakeholders, that there are no adverse human health issues related to responsible natural gas development, and to confirm what we already know, that the natural gas industry is essential, it's responsible, and it's inherently good for society.”
The major provisions include--
-- Setbacks - Residential Structures: CNX ssid it “expresses its intention” to increase setbacks from 500 [minimum now] to 600 feet from a well bore [not well pad] from residential structures [Minimum setbacks now recommended by health and environmental groups are 2,500 to 3,300 feet from well pads based on health studies.]
-- Setbacks - Schools, Hospitals: CNX ssid it “expresses its intention” to increase setbacks to 2,500 from well bore [not well pad] from schools and hospitals. [Minimum setbacks now recommended by health and environmental groups to be from 3,300 to 6,600 feet from well pads based on health studies.]
-- Fracking Chemicals: CNX said it will post fracking chemicals to be used ahead of fracking operations [but fracking chemicals protected from disclosure due to trade secrets will not be released and have not been.]
-- Air Monitoring: CNX said it would engage in “intensive air” monitoring around some of its facilities and post the results on a webpage.
Air monitoring turned out to be one upwind and one downwind monitor at sites.
In August 2024, CNX declared “natural gas development is safe and poses no public health risks” based on CNX air quality monitoring from 14 sites for from just 4 to 24 weeks. Read more here.
The pronouncement was roundly criticized by environmental, health and citizen groups as “dishonest and irresponsible.” Read more here.
Most of the limited monitoring at drill pads started in October or November 2023 ended in April. Monitoring at other sites lasted less than a year.
Of the 10 well pads in the air monitoring program, five are now being actively monitored for less than a year and five had their data archived after less than a year.
-- Radiation Monitoring: CNX posted its generic radiation protection plan and its annual self-assessment plan [but not the results on its Radical Transparency webpage so far]
-- Water Quality/Drinking Water Monitoring: CNX posted its generic plans for water quality and drinking water monitoring from the “statement” [but not the results on its Radical Transparency webpage so far. Some results would be subject to landowner identity protection, CNX noted].
Click Here for a copy of the presentation by Nicholas Deluliis.
Information related to this initiative is posted in the CNX Radical Transparency webpage.
Public Comments
Individuals interested in providing public comment during the meeting must sign up 24-hours in advance of the meeting by contacting Ian Irvin at iirvin@pa.gov.
Commenters are asked to limit comments to 5 minutes to accommodate other commenters and the rest of the agenda.
The Citizens Advisory Council encourages the submission of a written copy of public comments 24-hours in advance of the meeting so that they can be shared with CAC members in advance, posted to the CAC’s website under the relevant meeting date, and properly reflected in the meeting minutes.
Join The Meeting
The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building starting at 12:30. Click Here to join meeting online via Microsoft Teams or by telephone 267-332-8737 ID #: 320 494 978#
If the Capitol Complex is closed because of inclement weather on February 11, 2025, the monthly CAC meeting will be canceled.
Visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage for available handouts. Questions should be directed tot: Ian Irvin, Executive Director, iirvin@pa.gov or (717) 787-8171.
(Photo: Gov. Shapiro and CNX Resources CEO Nicholas Deluliis at announcement of ‘Radical Transparency.’)
Resource Links - Increasing Setbacks:
-- Cecil Township Supervisors In Washington County Adopt 2,500 Setback From Shale Gas Well Pads From Homes, Businesses, 5,000 Foot Setback From Hospitals, Schools [PaEN]
-- Cecil Township, Washington County Posts Proposed Ordinance Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Well Pads Of 2,500 Feet From Homes, Businesses; 5,000 Feet From Schools, Hospitals; Nov. 4 Hearing, Meeting Set [PaEN]
-- Cecil Township Supervisors Direct Solicitor To Prepare Ordinance Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Well Pads By At Least 2,500 Feet; Another Hearing, Vote Expected Nov. 4 [Hearing Summary] [PaEN]
-- PA Senate Republicans Reintroduce Bills To Eliminate State Appeals Of Pipeline Permits; Limit Grounds For Appeal Of Any DEP Permits; Punish Communities For Protecting Their Constituents Against Shale Gas Drilling Impacts [PaEN]
Resources Links - CNX Since Nov. 2023:
-- CNX Gas Company Reports It Did Not Stop Pumping Shale Gas Wastewater Through A Punctured Pipeline For 24+ Hours During An Incident In Morris Township, Greene County In May [11.28.24]
-- Protect PT, Three Rivers Waterkeeper Appeal DEP Permits For CNX Slickville Natural Gas, Shale Gas Wastewater Pipelines Project In Westmoreland County [11.4.24]
-- Capital & Main - Audrey Carleton: CNX Resources: Our Operations Pose No Health Risk; You Can’t Be Serious, Activists Say [9.24.24]
-- TheDailyClimate.org: PA’s CNX Resources Gas Drilling Company With More Than 2,000 Environmental Violations Selected For Federal Hydrogen Hub Environmental Justice Funding [9.10.24]
-- Environmental Health Project: CNX Resources Claims Shale Gas Drilling Poses No Public Health Risks Are ‘Misleading, Irresponsible, Dangerous’ [9.3.24]
-- CNX: 'Natural Gas Development Is Safe And Poses No Public Health Risks,' Based On CNX Air Quality Monitoring From 14 Sites, Most For Just 4 To 24 Weeks [8.14.24]
-- FracTracker Alliance: Not-So-Radical Transparency - An Ineffective And Unnecessary Partnership Between Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro And The Shale Gas Company CNX [5.2.24]
-- CNX Expands Air Pollution Monitoring To More Shale Gas Well Pads, Compressor Stations Under The Collaborative Agreement With State [4.11.24]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed CNX Midstream Double 24-Inch, 14 Mile Long Gas Pipelines In Westmoreland County [4.12.24]
-- DEP Issues Violation To CNX Gas Company For Withdrawing Over 1.8 Million Gallons Of Water For Fracking For 22 Days Without Permission [3.13.24]
-- Incomplete Application For CNX Midstream Slickville Fracking Wastewater, Natural Gas Pipelines Project In Westmoreland County Withdrawn By DEP [2.27.24]
-- CNX Resources Begins Disclosing General Information On Fracking Chemicals, Air Monitoring Results Online At 2 Shale Gas Well Pads [12.18.23]
-- Physicians For Social Responsibility PA: Gov. Shapiro's Announcement With CNX Does Not Go Far Enough In Protecting Public Health And The Environment From Natural Gas Development [11.8.23]
-- TribLive Editorial: Is Shapiro's Voluntary Agreement With CNX The Right Move For Gas Well Safety? 'We Do Not Trust Foxes To Guard Henhouses' [11.6.23]
-- Gov. Shapiro, CNX Natural Gas Company Sign Statement Of Mutual Interests To Monitor Air Emissions At Drill Sites, Extend Safety Setbacks While Data Is Being Collected; DEP To Move Ahead With Some Reg Changes [11.2.23]
-- DEP Issues Violation To CNX Gas Company For Unauthorized Water Withdrawals For 17 Days From Beaver Run Reservoir In Westmoreland County [10.6.23]
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - February 8 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 100 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In February 8 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- CNX Resources CEO Nicholas Deluliis To Speak At Feb. 11 DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meeting On ‘Radical Transparency’ [PaEN]
-- What Shale Gas Industry Leaves Behind: DEP: Southwestern Energy Prod Co. Failed To Comply With Act 2 Cleanup Standards At The Greenzweig Shale Gas Wastewater Impoundment In Bradford County After 5 Years [PaEN]
[Posted: February 9, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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