On February 3, 2016, the Pennsylvania Environmental
Quality Board passed the final revisions of the “Environmental Protection
Performance Standards at Oil and Gas Well Sites” regulations amending Chapter
78 of the Pennsylvania Code.
In August 2013, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB)
approved DEP’s proposed amendments imposing environmental performance standards
for oil and gas surface activities. In
August 2015, PA DEP revised these proposed amendments in order to differentiate
between conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells. These draft final regulations created two distinct chapters respectively
addressing conventional (Chapter 78) and unconventional well development
(Chapter 78a).
In a Press Release, DEP declared that the amendments to Chapter 78 would
improve protection of water supplies and public safety while addressing public
resource considerations and landowner concerns. DEP also pointed out that “the
regulatory language has been formulated with the input of more than 25,000
Pennsylvania residents.” The regulations now will be sent for review to the
Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the House and Senate Environmental
Resources and Energy Committees.
Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
02/10/2016
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