PA Environment Digest Blog: DCED PA Conventional Oil & Gas Advisory Council Meets Dec. 4 On Conventional Wastewater Disposal Issues; Methane Emissions Reduction; Well Plugging

The DCED PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council on conventional oil and gas well issues is scheduled to meet December 4 on conventional wastewater disposal and treatment, methane emissions reduction regulations and well plugging programs.

The draft agenda includes--

-- Approval of agenda, approval of minutes from Aug. 21 meeting

-- Public Comment Period

-- President’s report - review of committees

-- Production wastewater--

-- Production wastewater Subcommittee Updates

-- Co-Product Classification of oil & gas well wastewater

-- Legacy Wells

-- Well Plugging Workgroup - Attainable Bottom

-- Well Restoration Report Form

-- Post-Plugging landowner waiver of well site restoration form

-- Cement types use for plugging

-- Kentucky’s well testing permit program to determine economic viability

-- Economic

-- Presentation - Economics of the conventional oil and gas industry

-- New DEP Section OOOOc Methane Reduction Rule

-- Review of April CDAC OOOOc Rule Resolution

-- Discussion of collaboration between DEP Air Quality, CDAC

-- DEP

-- Update on Federal Well Plugging Program [Bipartisan Jobs Act]

-- Current and future projects

-- Well plugging Request For Proposals

-- Methane Emissions Reduction Grant Program update

-- Technical & administrative support available to grant recipients

-- Availability of example budget sheets for both the Orphan Well and Methane Reduction grant programs

-- Legislative

-- Regulatory Review

-- Old Business

-- Discussion of restoration and attenuation technologies

-- Potential regulations of dust suppression and deicing materials [road dumping conventional wastewater]

-- New Business

-- Future rulemakings for underground gas storage areas, underground injection waste disposal wells

-- CDAC webpage overhaul

-- 2025 Annual Report

-- Thank you to outgoing CDAC member Bill Murray

-- Future Dates

Background On Issues

Road Dumping Wastewater Continues

The road dumping of production wastewater by conventional oil and gas well owners continues unabated in conventional drilling areas. Read more here.

The dumping is indiscriminate on paved roads, dirt roads and gravel roads. Read more here.

DEP has been investigating complaints of road dumping, but due to the nature of the illegal activity it is difficult to catch conventional well owners in the act.

85% Failure To Report Waste Generated, Where It’s Going

DEP reports 85% of conventional owners failed to submit 2024 annual reports on production and how much waste they generated and how it was disposed of-- 4,204 conventional well owners failed to submit covering 23,708 wells, 753 well owners covering 81,396 wells that did report. Read more here.

As a result, millions of gallons of conventional wastewater being generated is unaccounted for.

655 Abandoned Well Violations in 2025

DEP reports it has issued 655 violations to 127 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells so far in 2025. Read more here.

DEP has taken some enforcement actions for larger groups of conventional wells abandoned by their owners trying to make a dent in this huge compliance issue. [See Resource Links below.]

87% Failure To Submit Well Integrity Reports

DEP reports 87% of conventional well owners failed to submit well integrity reports for 2024-- 4,314 owners covering 24,620 wells.

638 well owners covering 77,647 wells did report. 4,952 well owners were required to report. Read more here.

Well integrity reports are critical to understanding when a well may start leaking methane or fluids.

Again, DEP has taken enforcement actions on owners of larger groups of wells, but the “culture of non-compliance” in the industry is pervasive and deeply entrenched. Read more here.

More Than 99% Failed To Comply With Methane Reduction Reg.

On November 5, DEP reported 99.3% of conventional oil and gas facility owners failed to comply with a 2022 DEP regulation to reduce methane and volatile organic compound emissions from their oil and gas facilities, in response to questions from PA Environment Digest.

Conventional well owners were required to submit an annual report starting June 1, 2025 outlining their equipment subject to the regulation, the methods of emission controls used and any deviations from the requirements during calendar year 2024.

It’s been 220 days since conventional owners first knew they were required to file the report-- April 26, 2025. Read more here.

Widespread Non-Compliance

In June, DEP said it continues to see “widespread non-compliance with laws and regulations in the conventional oil and gas industry, particularly regarding improper abandonment of oil and gas wells, but also not reporting hydrocarbon and waste production [and disposal] and conducting mechanical integrity assessments.” Read more here.

Public Comment Period

Individuals interested in providing comments during the Public Comment Period should contact Adam Walters at 717-214-6548 or adwalters@pa.gov.

Joining The Meeting

The meeting will be held at the Technology Center Room 243, 200 Innovation Blvd, State College starting at 10:00 a.m.

Click Here for instructions on joining remotely.

For available handouts and more information, visit the DCED PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council webpage. Questions should be directed to Adam Walters at 717-214-6548 or adwalters@pa.gov.

Resource Links - Since June 12, 2025:

-- DEP Names Seth Pelepko, P.G. Deputy Secretary For Oil & Gas Management [PaEN]

-- DEP: Widespread Non-Compliance With Environmental Laws Continues In Conventional Oil & Gas Industry; 3,108+ Abandoned Wells; At Least 85% Conventional Well Owners Fail To Submit Production, Waste, Well Integrity Reports [PaEN]

-- DEP: 768 Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells May Be Plugged In Next Year; Over 27,000 New Abandoned Wells May Have Been Found; Alternatives To Well Plugging Bonds [PaEN]

-- House Committee Moves Bill To Restore Authority For Setting Conventional Oil & Gas Well Plugging Bond Amounts To Help Protect Taxpayers From Billions In Plugging Costs; Republicans Oppose [PaEN]

-- Williamsport Sun Editorial: Pennsylvania Needs A New Plan For Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells; Increasing Bond Amounts Only Part Of Solution [PaEN]

-- Warren Times Editorial: Pennsylvania Needs A New Plan For Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells; Increasing Bond Amounts Only Part Of Solution [PaEN]

-- DEP: More Than 99% Of Conventional Oil & Gas Facility Owners Failed To Comply With VOC/Methane Reduction Regulations Covering 64,660 Wells; Had 193 Days To File [PaEN]

-- Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners Pushing 3 More Ways To Legalize Road Dumping Their Wastewater; Not Clear How The Public, Put At Risk By Dumping, Will Be Involved [PaEN]

-- Late Night Road Dumping: Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Continues To Be Dumped On Dirt, Gravel, Paved Roads; DEP Expected To Provide Update At April 24 Meeting [PaEN]

-- Late Night Dumping II: Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Dumping Continues On Roads, This Time With Bigger Trucks; New Research On Harmful Wastewater Impacts [PaEN]

-- DEP Moves To Dismiss BCD Properties Appeal Challenging A DEP Letter Advising It Does Not Comply With Waste Regulations Allowing The Disposal Of Its Oil And Gas Wastewater By Road Dumping [PaEN]