PA Environment Digest Blog: Range Resources Proposes To Drill 2 New Shale Gas Wells In Cecil Township, Challenging Its 2,500 Foot Setback Ordinance In Washington County

On June 11, Range Resources provided an Act 14 notice to municipalities around its Conner Samuel and Augustine George shale gas well pads that it will submit permit applications to DEP to drill one new shale gas well from each pad located in Cecil Township, Washington County.

The new Augustine 15H well will extend 10,003 feet (1.89 miles) southeast from the well pad and the new Conner 3H well will extend 17,470 feet (3.3 miles) northwest from the well pad.

The Act 14 notices give municipalities 30 days to comment on the proposed wells before Range Resources submits the permit application to DEP. [Read more here about Act 14]

Click Here for a copy of the Act 14 notice.

Click Here to locate the well pads using DEP’s Oil & Gas Mapping Tool.

Cecil Twp. Dismisses Range Resources Challenge

On June 16, Cecil Township’s Zoning Hearing Board voted 2-0 to dismiss a Range Resources substantive validity challenge to an ordinance adopted in November establishing a 2,500 foot setback from new shale gas wells. Read more here.

The Board based its dismissal on the fact the Range Resources challenge was not “ripe” -- it did not demonstrate that the ordinance did, in fact, prohibit or restrict the development of land in which Range has an interest, saying the objections raised by Range were “purely hypothetical” at that point. Read more here.

The two new shale gas wells proposed by Range in Cecil Township on June 11 could, if issued permits by DEP, provide another opportunity to challenge the Township’s ordinance.

Background

In November 2024, Cecil Township Supervisors adopted an ordinance requiring a 2,500 foot setback from homes and businesses and a 5,000 foot setback from hospitals and schools from shale gas wells. Read more here.

The 25-page ordinance also gives property owners the ability to waive the setback, however, if all property owners within the 2,500 foot setback agree to a waiver.

The minimum setback in state law is 500 feet from a shale gas wellhead.

In January, both Range Resources Appalachia LLC and MarkWest Liberty Midstream filed two different legal challenges to the ordinance. Read more here.

MarkWest filed a challenge in Washington County Court and Range Resources filed a Substantive Validity Challenge before the Cecil Township Zoning Hearing Board which was dismissed.

Resource Links:

-- Cecil Twp. Zoning Hearing Board Dismisses Range Resources Validity Challenge To 2,500 Foot Setback Ordinance For Shale Gas Wells In Washington County [PaEN]

-- 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 [11.5.24]

-- Range Resources And MarkWest Liberty Midstream File Legal Challenges To The 2,500 Foot Shale Gas Facility Setback Ordinance Adopted By Cecil Township, Washington County [1.28.25]

-- 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 [9.9.24] [Hearing Summary]

-- PA Senate Republicans Vote To Punish Communities Taking Steps To Protect Their Residents From Health, Environmental Impacts Of Shale Gas Drilling [5.7.25]