PA Environment Digest Blog: August 2026

Saturday, August 1, 2026

DEP Issues Violations To John D. Branch For Failing To Comply With Spill Containment Regulations Around Storage Tanks Holding 42,000 Gallons Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Wells In Warren County

On July 23, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Brown 1 conventional gas well site owned by John D. Branch in response to a complaint and found the owner failed to comply with secondary containment regulations around two storage tanks holding 42,000 gallons of contaminated water from conventional oil and gas wells in Pleasant Township, Warren County.

Later that same day, DEP’s Environmental Cleanup Program approved a final report on the cleanup of an earlier, major spill at the same Brown 1 conventional well site (see below).

The DEP’s report on the complaint inspection said-- “The small upper containment directly around the stock tanks is constructed with a dirt and gravel base and walls, and includes a drain pipe that is directed into a second containment downslope of the upper containment.

“The upper containment wall and base material around the tanks consists of gravel and does not appear to comply with the permeability requirements.

“In its current state the height of the upper containment wall would not be sufficient in containing a substantial release.

“The lower containment at the bottom of the slope, intended to contain an overflow from the upper containment in the event of a substantial release, is nearly full of water and does not have the capacity required by Chapter 78.64.”

DEP sent the complaint inspection report with violations to the owner and asked for a response by July 28. No response was contained in DEP’s online file.

Prior Contaminated Water Release

On September 29, 2025, DEP inspected the newly drilled and fracked Brown 1 conventional gas well and found a hose was being used to drain contaminated water from a storage tank battery to water a freshly seeded and mulched area of the well site.

Excess contaminated water then ran about 35 feet across the well site to a ditch that connected to a storm sewer along Crestview Boulevard. DEP’s inspector said he saw flowing water in the storm sewer at the bottom of Crestview.

A field conductivity test by the inspector found the contaminated water was 16 times the allowable limit and “was not suitable to be dispersed to the ground.”

Click Here to read more.

Prior Brown 1 Drilling Violations

Branch started drilling the well on September 3, 2025 and completed drilling and fracking the well on or about September 26, according to DEP inspection reports.

On September 4, 2025, DEP issued a notice of violation to this same Brown 1 conventional well for failing to comply with a special condition in the permit to obtain all necessary local/municipal approvals for the well prior to drilling.

DEP requested a formal response from the well owner by September 19, but no written response was included in inspection reports before or after that deadline.

Report Violations

To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.

Text photos and the location of abandoned wells to 717-788-8990.

Check These Resources

Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

Sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE service which sends you information on oil and gas and other permits submitted to DEP for review in your community.

Use DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool to find if there are oil and gas wells near or on your property and to find wells using latitude and longitude on well inspection reports.

(Photos: 2 - 21,000 gallon contaminated water storage tanks; Drain out of containment; Drain to containment pond.)

[Note: If you believe your company was listed in error, contact DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]

[Note: These may not be all the NOVs issued to oil and gas companies during this time period. Additional inspection reports may be added to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.]

PA Oil & Gas Industry, Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance-

-- DEP: Apollo Resources Reports Released Of 3,200 Gallons Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Oil & Gas Well Storage Tank In Snow Shoe Twp., Centre County [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 33: Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Fails To Comply With Order To Prevent Migration Of Contaminated Water Release Offsite At Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP Issues Violations To John D. Branch For Failing To Comply With Spill Containment Regulations Around Storage Tanks Holding 42,000 Gallons Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Wells In Warren County [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 1 [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage Ellisburg Natural Gas Storage And Compressor Station In Potter County [PaEN]

-- DEP Issues Chapter 105 Permit For 3.6 Mile EQT ARO LLC Aboveground Shale Gas Water Pipeline In Lycoming County [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 71 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 1 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Water Quality Permit For Fill, Utility Lines Related To Aligned Data Centers Project, Shippingport Boro & Raccoon Twp., Beaver County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Water Quality Permits For A Consol Coal Company Pipeline To Dispose Of Coal Refuse Disposal Area Sediment Pond Overflow Into Underground Mine Workings In Washington County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of Natural Soil Products Biosolids Composting Permit For Facility In Frailey Twp., Schuylkill County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order With Chevron USA For A Site In Springdale Boro. Allegheny County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Revised Hazardous Sites Cleanup Plan For The Keystone Metals Reduction Site In Cheswick Boro, Allegheny County [PaEN]

-- DEP To Hold Sept. 16 Hearing On RACT Title V Air Quality Permit For Hercules Cement Plant In Stockertown Boro, Northampton County [PaEN]

PA Parks And Forests Foundation Celebrates New Accessible Canoe & Kayak Launch At Locust Lake State Park In Schuylkill County

On July 29, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation celebrated the completion of a new ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launch at Locust Lake State Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication in Schuylkill County.

Locust Lake State Park welcomes approximately 145,000 visitors a year and is popular for camping, boating, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.

The new accessible launch expands opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy time on the water and reflects PPFF's commitment to making Pennsylvania's state parks and forests more welcoming and inclusive.

“At the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, we believe every Pennsylvanian deserves the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature, on both land and water,” said Marci Mowery, President of PPFF. "Paddle sports are relatively affordable and accessible in many communities. This launch will help both children and adults experience the freedom, confidence, exercise, and joy that comes from spending time on the water."

According to Cornell University's annual Disability Status Report, 7.3% of Pennsylvania's population has an ambulatory disability. Pennsylvania also has an aging population, making accessible recreation increasingly important.

Features such as ADA-accessible boat launches help reduce mobility barriers, allowing more people, including older adults, veterans, individuals recovering from injuries, and people with disabilities, to participate safely in outdoor recreation while supporting physical and mental well-being.

To ensure that the launch met the needs of future users, PPFF sought input from individuals with lived experience during the design process. Their feedback helped shape the final design, resulting in a launch that is both functional and inclusive.

“The addition of the ADA-accessible kayak launch at Locust Lake State Park is a tremendous enhancement that reflects the outstanding work being done across the Commonwealth by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation to expand recreational access and create more inclusive outdoor opportunities for people of all abilities,” said Park Manager Ron Guilland.

He continued, “On behalf of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Foundation and to every individual, organization, and donor whose generous support made this accessible kayak launch possible. Your investment in our state park will provide lasting opportunities for visitors of all abilities to experience the outdoors, enjoy the water, and create meaningful memories with family and friends for many years to come.”

The Accessible Canoe and Kayak Launch Project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

It was administered through the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) Statewide Watershed Access Grant Program and matched through several private donations.

“Projects like these are only possible through strong partnerships,” Mowery said. “As the non-profit partner for Pennsylvania state parks and forests, PPFF brings together volunteers, donors, and funding opportunities to help improve public lands. We're grateful to the management and maintenance staff at Locust Lake State Park for their collaboration in identifying the best location and creating an accessible launch that will serve visitors for years to come."

To learn more about accessible recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, support future accessibility projects, or find ways to get involved, visit the PA Parks and Forests Foundation website.

Solarize Greater Philadelphia, Partners Host Aug. 19 Webinar For Municipalities On How To Take Advantage Of Solar Energy To Make Energy Costs More Predictable

Solarize Greater Philadelphia, PA Solar Center and the Sierra Club are hosting an August 19 webinar from Noon to 1:00 p.m. for municipalities on how they can take advantage of solar energy to make their energy costs more predictable.

There are currently two federal credits available that significantly reduce the cost of solar energy installations--

-- A 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit and a 10% Community Energy Credit (in some areas) are available for systems installed and operating by December 31, 2027.

-- A 10% domestic content credit is also available. To meet the deadline, projects should start their feasibility and financial analysis by this September.

Webinar participants will hear from two municipalities that have installed solar and one that is planning to install solar.

Participants will also hear about Solarize’s services to help a municipality through the feasibility, financial analysis, and RFP process. Financing and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options will be included.

Click Here to register and for more information.