PA Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board Supports Further Review of Proposed Amendments to Chapter 78 regulations

On October 27, 2015, the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board (OGTAB) adopted a resolution supporting further analysis of the proposed amendments to Chapter 78 Subchapter C of the Pennsylvania Code.

In August 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released draft final revisions to the “Environmental Protection Performance Standards at Oil and Gas Well Sites” rulemaking. The final rule creates two distinct chapters respectively addressing conventional (Chapter 78) and unconventional well development (Chapter 78a), and it also provides for further consideration of potential environmental impacts from oil and gas field activities.

In the resolution, OGTAB contended that “the Department’s presentations [to the Advisory Board] have focused almost exclusively on the Department’s proposed amendments to Chapter 78a, with very little time spent reviewing or discussion Chapter 78.” Therefore, OGTAB stated that it will provide a report or comments to the EQB considering issues related to Chapter 78.  

Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow

10/29/2015

PA DEP Releases Draft Final Revisions to Amend 25 Pa. Code Chapter 78

On August 11, 2015, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released the draft final revisions to the “Environmental Protection Performance Standards at Oil and Gas Well Sites” rulemaking. The final rule will amend Chapter 78 of the Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, by providing for further consideration of potential environmental impacts from oil and gas field activities. 

According to DEP, these amendments are aimed at improving the protection of water supplies and public safety while addressing public resource considerations and landowner concerns. DEP also emphasized the importance of transparency and improvement of data management.

In August 2013, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) adopted DEP’s proposed amendments imposing environmental performance standards for oil and gas surface activities. Subsequently, Act 126 of 2014 was passed requiring EQB to “promulgate proposed regulations . . . relating to conventional oil and gas wells separately from proposed regulations . . . relating to unconventional gas wells. All regulations under 58 Pa.C.S. shall differentiate between conventional oil and gas wells and unconventional gas wells.”

As a consequence, DEP made some adjustments to the proposed amendments. The proposed regulations applicable to conventional wells were retained in the existing Chapter 78 and a new Chapter 78a was created for new unconventional well provisions. In March 2015, DEP published revised amendments upon which they accepted public comments until May 19, 2015.

As stated on the DEP website, the draft final revisions will be discussed between DEP, the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board and the Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee throughout 2015.

Further information is available at

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_resources/20303/surface_regulations/1587188

Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow

08/14/2015