So far in 2025, SRBC issued or renewed 187 general water use permits for shale gas development.
The approvals were granted under SRBC regulation 18 CFR 806.22(e) and (f) that creates a general permit-type process to grant approval for water use by individual shale gas drilling pads.
Individual uses of this general permit are not subject to public review.
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 2025, SRBC issued six water withdrawal requests for shale gas development. Read more here.
3 Shale Gas Withdrawals At Or Near Restrictions
As of May 30, the SRBC’s Hydrologic Conditions Monitor shows three water withdrawal points are at or near water use restrictions-- all shale gas development withdrawals-- because these operations typically draw water from smaller streams.
The Expand Operating LLC (Chesapeake Appalachia) withdraw on the North Branch Mehoopany Creek in Forkston Township, Wyoming County is on restrictions.
Two shale gas withdrawals are approaching restrictions--
-- BKV Operating, LLC withdrawal on an tributary to Middle Branch Wyalusing Creek in Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna County; and
-- Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC withdrawal on Choconut Creek in Choconut Township, Susquehanna County.
Contact the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to report suspected violations of these requirements.
Similar information is not available for the Northwest and Southwest areas of the state in the Ohio River and Lake Erie watersheds where there is shale gas drilling because there is no agency like SRBC to regulate water withdrawals.
DEP does require shale gas drillers to have water management plans that include low-flow restrictions, but that’s just one more thing DEP has to enforce.
New/Renewed General Permits
Here is the list of new general permits renewed or issued in April--
-- Approvals By Rule—Issued Under 18 CFR 806.22(e):
-- Hunlock Energy, LLC; Hunlock Creek Unit—4; ABR-202504001; Hunlock Township, Luzerne County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 0.1260 mgd; Approval Date: April 3, 2025.
-- Approvals By Rule—Issued Under 18 CFR 806.22(f):
-- RENEWAL—Blackhill Energy, LLC; Pad ID: GUINAN 2H; ABR-20091117.R3; Springfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 1.9990 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Blackhill Energy, LLC; Pad ID: HARKNESS 3H; ABR-20091221.R3; Springfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 1.9990 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Blackhill Energy, LLC; Pad ID: HOPPAUGH 2H; ABR-20091120.R3; Springfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 1.9990 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: LaRueC P2; ABR-20100138.R3; Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Blye Pad Site; ABR-20100204.R3; Middletown Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Clear Springs Dairy Drilling Pad # 1; ABR-20091214.R3; Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Ferguson; ABR-20100201.R3; Herrick Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Readinger; ABR-20091210.R3; West Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: SGL-12 HARDY EAST UNIT PAD; ABR-202003001.R1; Overton Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Formentera Operations, LLC; Pad ID: Hannan Well Site; ABR-201412010.R2; Hepburn Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Gentner 3; ABR-20100153.R3; Cummings Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Laurel Hill 1; ABR-20100154.R3; Jackson Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Button B 901 Pad; ABR-20091234.R3; West Branch Township, Potter County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Ken-Ton 902; ABR-20100102.R3; West Branch Township, Potter County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Lick Run Pad; ABR-20091232.R3; Gaines Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Marshlands K. Thomas Unit # 1; ABR-20091231.R3; Elk Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Mitchell A 903; ABR-20100152.R3; West Branch Township, Potter County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Thomas 503R; ABR-201408007.R2; Sullivan Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: York 480-5H; ABR-20100106.R3; Sullivan Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 17, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: AustinE P1; ABR-202003004.R1; Lenox Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Acla; ABR-20100324.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Claude; ABR-20100319.R3; Auburn Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Coyote Run; ABR-202004002.R1; Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Engelke; ABR-20100323.R3; Troy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Stone Drilling Pad # 1; ABR-20100228.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Updike; ABR-20100305.R3; West Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Yengo; ABR-20100206.R3; Cherry Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Formentera Operations, LLC; Pad ID: Winter Well Site; ABR-201410009.R2; Eldred Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—LPR Energy, LLC; Pad ID: Ritchey Unit Drilling Pad; ABR-20091010.R3; Juniata Township, Blair County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 1.9900 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: BARRETT (03 009) L; ABR-20100230.R3; Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: DCNR 587 (02 018); ABR-20100219.R3; Ward Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: HARVEST HOLDINGS (01 036); ABR-20100225.R3; Canton Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: LUTZ (01 015); ABR-20100213.R3; Troy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: PUTNAM (01 076) L; ABR-20100233.R3; Armenia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: PUTNAM (01 077) L; ABR-20100212.R3; Armenia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: T Pierson Pad; ABR-20090903.R3; Gaines Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: DCNR 595 Pad E; ABR-20100307.R3; Blossburg Borough, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Johnson 435; ABR-20091102.R3; Shippen Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: April 26, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Kupscznk Drilling Pad # 1; ABR-20100224.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 28, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: LaRue 1A; ABR-202004003.R1; Rush Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 28, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: LaRue 1B; ABR-202004004.R1; Rush Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 28, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Masso; ABR-20100216.R3; Auburn Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 28, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Plymouth; ABR-20100341.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 28, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Sivers; ABR-20100320.R3; Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 28, 2025.
-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Hoffman; ABR-20100328.R3; Towanda Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: April 29, 2025.
Click Here to find more information on the water withdrawal applications.
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.
(Photos: SRBC-approved shale gas drilling water withdrawal point on the Exceptional Value Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County under construction.)
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - May 24 to 31 -- Failed To Restore 5 Shale Gas Water Impoundments In One County; 5 New Cases Of Defective Shale Well Cement; More Abandoned Shale, Conventional Wells [PaEN]
-- DEP: XTO Energy Failed To Restore 5 Multi-Million Gallon Shale Gas Water Impoundments In Butler County [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: PennEnergy Surrenders Water Withdrawal Approval/Permit Saying Big Sewickley Creek In Beaver County Could Not Provide Enough Water For Shale Gas Operations [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - May 31 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On State Plan To Implement Federal Rule Requiring Methane Emissions Reductions From Conventional Oil & Gas, Shale Gas Facilities; 7 Hearings Set [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 45 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In April; 187 In 2025 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 67 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In May 31 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Gov. Shapiro Provides Update On The Fight To Lower Energy Prices, Calls On General Assembly To Move His Commonsense Lightning Energy Plan [PaEN]
-- PA Elected Officials, Consumer, Clean Energy Advocates Demand Electric Grid Operator PJM Act To Hold Down Electricity Costs [PaEN]
-- Bloomberg: US DOE Orders 760 MW Eddystone Peaking Power Plant In Delaware County To Remain Open Due To The Energy ‘Emergency’ Declared By The President [PaEN]
-- Guest Essay: Doubling Down On Pennsylvania's Fossil Fuel Extraction Is A Direct Threat To Public Health And Ecological Stability - By Pamela Darville, Co-Chairperson of Climate Justice and Jobs Team at POWER Interfaith [PaEN]
-- PA Solar Center Hosts June 5 Lodestar Awards To Recognize 20 Business, School, Farm, Church Solar Energy Projects; Featuring DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn [PaEN]
-- DEP Begins Accepting Applications For Grid Resilience Grants June 2 [PaEN]
-- DEP Seeking Qualified Contractors To Deliver Energy-Saving Upgrades Across PA As Part Of Penn Energy Savers Program [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Electric Bills In PA Are Going Up Next Month, Your Utility Can’t Help It
-- WVIA: Bradford, Northumberland, Tioga And Union Utility Customers Face Rate Hikes
-- PUC Reminder Of June Hearings On Proposed 11% Columbia Gas Rate Increase
-- PennFuture: PJM Interconnection Admits Its Bias For Fossil Fuel Power Plants, Rather Than New, Cheaper Shovel-Ready Clean Energy Projects
-- Erie Times: Nearly 15,000 Penelec Customers In Erie, Millcreek Without Power For A Time
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Watt Home System Starts Offering No Combustion Fuel Cell Backup Power Solutions In Peoples Natural Gas Territory
-- WHYY Wins Edward R. Murrow Award For Reporting On Shale Gas Drilling In PA - Fracking In Pennsylvania Hasn’t Gone As Well As Some May Think
-- Martins Ferry Times Leader: PA’s Austin Master Services Abandoned Frack Waste Plant Cleanup In Martins Ferry, OH Slated For Completion
-- AP: Oil And Gas Have Boomed In New Mexico, Its Schools Are Contending With Pollution’s Effects
-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Natural Gas Isn’t Southwest Pennsylvania’s Future - By Lou Tierno III, PA & Appalachian Sustainable Business Networks
-- Warren Times: Instead Of ‘Drill, Baby, Drill,’ US Rig Counts Falling, Layoffs Increasing [Due To Falling Oil/Gas Prices]
-- Financial Times: US Shale Oil/Gas Companies Cut Spending, Idle Drilling Rigs Due To Falling Prices
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Solar Energy Savings For Clairton, Other PA Schools At Risk From Proposed Federal Cuts
-- Inquirer: These 26 Philly-Area Schools Getting State-Paid Solar Energy Facilities And Taxpayers Could Benefit
-- Reuters: Clean Power Produces More Electricity Than Fossil Fuels In US For 3rd Month In A Row [Not In PA Or PJM ]
-- MCall Letter: Republican Cong. Mackenzie Needs To Fight For Federal Clean Energy Tax Credits
-- MCall Guest Essay: Congress Can’t Protect Us Without Protecting Clean Energy - By Tinku Khanwalkar
-- Reuters: US Electricity Generation Capacity Additions To Slow Sharply If Federal Clean Energy Tax Incentives Repealed
-- Scranton Times: Jessup Borough To Hold Hearing For Stricter Data Center Rules
-- PennLive Guest Essay: PA’s Potential Data Center Mirage And Your Electric Bill - By Athan Koutsiouroumbas, Long Nyquist And Associates [Lobbying Firm]
-- Protect PT June 11 Webinar - Is Pennsylvania Ready For Data Centers? 7:00 p.m.
-- AP: States Are Rolling Out Red Carpets For Data Centers, But Some Lawmakers Are Pushing Back [PA Included]
-- MCall Guest Essay: Congress Can’t Protect Us Without Protecting Clean Energy - By Tinku Khanwalkar
-- Inside Climate News: Alabamians Want Answers About A 4 Million Square Foot A.I. Data Center Coming To Their Backyards
-- YaleEnvironment360: The ‘Green’ Aviation Fuel That Would Increase Carbon Emissions
-- Reuters: Williams Working With Federal, State Regulators To Revive Pennsylvania To NY Natural Gas Pipelines
-- Bloomberg: Williams To Revive Disputed Natural Gas Pipeline Projects In New York
-- Martins Ferry Times Leader: PA’s Austin Master Services Abandoned Frack Waste Plant Cleanup In Martins Ferry, OH Slated For Completion
-- AP: Oil And Gas Have Boomed In New Mexico, Its Schools Are Contending With Pollution’s Effects
-- Detroit Free Press: Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Says There Is No Energy Emergency To Justify US DOE Order To Keep Coal-Fired Michigan Power Plant Open, Will Only Increase Customer Costs
-- Utility Dive: President Aims For 400 GW Of Nuclear Power By 2050, 10 Large Reactors Under Construction By 2030
-- AP: Lawsuits Aim To Hold Fossil Fuel Companies Responsible For Climate Change, Here’s A Look At Some
-- AP: Get Ready For Several Years Of Killer Heat, Top Weather Forecasters Warn
[Posted: May 30, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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