PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 20, 2024

On January 16, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection did a routine inspection of an XTO Energy, Inc. [an Report Violations To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage. 1; Will It Address Natural Gas Infrastructure Vulnerabilities ?

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Natural Gas 2024 2023 2021 117

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 20, 2024

Rather, the build-out can and should begin in areas where near term adoption makes the most sense and is most likely, and then move on to subsequent areas as additional zero-emission freight use cases become more and more practical. The strategy is yet another piece of the federal electric vehicle vision coming to fruition.

Air Pollution 252

Air Pollution Electricity Government Greenhouse 252

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 25, 2024

As former EPA officials in the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, we had a front row seat to how Justice40, a landmark initiative born via President Biden’s executive order 14008 , was rolled out. This has resulted in significant delays across key decisionmakers, as pointed out by GAO.

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Government Clean Air Act Politics Climate Change 130

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 10, 2024

Just Some Of Significant Shale Gas Events In 2023 Here are just a few significant unconventional shale gas operator compliance events so far in 2023-- -- Uncontrolled Venting Of Gas Prompts Temporary Evacuation: At 2:02 a.m. The settlement results in a market-wide reduction of non-performance charge assessments from an estimated $1.8

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2023 Natural Gas 2022 Waste 115

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 29, 2024

The DEP inspector found the pink fluid had elevated conductivity readings in some areas, which often indicates drilling wastewater of some kind. DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by February 5, 2024 on how the operator will bring the site into compliance. What do you think the pink stuff is?

Natural Gas 108

Natural Gas 2024 2023 Waste 108

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 25, 2024

Since it was discovered in July 2018 as a result of a complaint investigation, the Department of Environmental Protection has not been able to get a conventional oil well owner to clean up multiple spills and releases at the well site. The operator of the conventional oil well was issued a permit to drill and operate the well in 1996.

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2024 2023 2018 2019 109

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 15, 2024

Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the environmental and public health impacts associated with the practice of spreading oil and gas drilling waste, known as brine, on Pennsylvania's roads for dust control and ice management. Room G-50 Irvis Building. Click Here to watch online. April 17-- Virtual.

Waste 96

Waste Natural Resources Technology Technology 96

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 22, 2022

When I began working as a state government scientist in Minnesota, I was motivated to advance environmental protections that prevent against pollutants from crossing from one environmental medium to another, such as from the air to water. That’s essentially the way most environmental protections work, addressing one issue at a time.

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Environmental Protection Government 2009 Law 218

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 23, 2023

From December 16 to 22, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 534 inspection entries. DEP’s inspection report (Legion Swab 1) requested a written report by January 12, 2024 on how the operator would bring the wells into compliance. Read it carefully, there is a lot here. Read more here.

Natural Gas 116

Natural Gas 2023 2024 Waste 116

Law and Environment

AUGUST 2, 2023

On July 28, 2023, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations governing how federal agencies review the environmental effects of major federal projects. We analyze the key provisions in the proposed NEPA reforms below.

Climate Change 130

Climate Change Regulations Greenhouse 2023 130

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 27, 2024

From January 20 to 26, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 550 inspection entries. DEP’s inspection reports [Ivory 1] requested written reports on bringing the wells into compliance by January 26, 2024. DEP’s database is still catching up with posting inspection reports in January.

2024 111

2024 Natural Gas 2023 Waste 111

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 15, 2024

19 Webinar - Climate Change Projections For PA & Conservation Practices To Help Farmers Cope WeConservePA: EPA Accepting Applications For Environmental & Climate Justice Community Change Grants DCNR Begins Accepting Community Conservation Partnership Grant Applications Jan. 22 DEP Awards $39.6 16; Snowmobile/ATV Grants Feb.

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Natural Gas Conservation Natural Resources Fossil Fuels 82

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 24, 2023

From June 17 to 23, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 531 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 19 violations of environmental regulations-- 10 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 9 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

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Natural Gas Waste 2023 2003 98

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 19, 2023

to submit a plan to DEP for remediation of the area impacted by the release of the wastewater within 30 days. DEP’s inspection report requests the operator to submit a written report by August 29, 2023 on how they plan to bring the well into compliance. This is a common pre-production practice. Petro Erie, Inc. Read more here.

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Natural Gas 2023 Waste Atmosphere 92

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 17, 2023

On August 17, the Department of Environmental Protection posted an Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy to guide DEP’s permit application reviews and outreach efforts in environmental justice areas throughout the Commonwealth. So we will be using it, but there will still be another public comment series.

Air Pollution 97

Air Pollution Waste Natural Gas Ozone 97

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 29, 2023

Environmental justice areas make up 20 percent of the entire Commonwealth. Environmental justice areas make up 20 percent of the entire Commonwealth. DEP will be implementing an interim Final Environmental Justice Policy on September 16, 2023 when it is expected to be formally published in the PA Bulletin.

Environmental Protection 111

Environmental Protection 2024 Air Pollution 2023 111

Law and Environment

DECEMBER 5, 2022

BOEM will soon issue a Call for Information and Nominations, engage in Wind Energy Area identification, and develop leasing documents that will ultimately result in a lease auction. On the other hand, if no competitive interest is found, BOEM may publish that determination and undertake a suitability analysis and an environmental assessment.

2023 130

2023 Renewable Energy 2024 2019 130

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 24, 2023

First Conventional Industry Compliance Review Another possible agenda item is the first-ever assessment of how well conventional oil and gas drillers comply with state environmental laws DEP released on December 29. The report looked at environmental compliance in the industry between 2017 through 2021. Read more here.

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Natural Gas Regulations 2013 Law 120

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 10, 2024

Read this week’s Oil & Gas Compliance Report to get a real feel for what’s happening with Oil & Gas enforcement in the field and the challenges faced by DEP’s inspectors and the public-- From January 27 to February 9, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 1,672 inspection entries.

2024 111

2024 Natural Gas 2023 Waste 111

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 4, 2024

On Friday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued long-awaited regulations to strengthen the Risk Management Program (RMP). STAA is an industry best practice that, in short, requires companies to evaluate whether safer technologies and processes can be used at their facilities.

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Regulations Technology Technology 2021 198

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 14, 2023

What we are really trying to institute here is this idea that excellence for DEP is a practice. We're not going to get it right the first time around, but we're going to practice to really be able to understand, over time, we’re going to have to adapt to new and emerging things.” “We It's not an instinct,” said Chapman.

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Environmental Protection Climate Change Air Pollution Natural Gas 94

Capaccio

OCTOBER 4, 2023

The “G” in Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) is the final component necessary for achieving a sustainable business model. Corporate governance provides a transparent management structure for companies to develop and advance their social, environmental, and economic interests.

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Government Waste Regulations Law 52

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 9, 2022

On December 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has issued three orders to Equitrans L.P. The storage area vented natural gas uncontrolled into the atmosphere from Sunday, November 6, 2022, until the evening of Saturday, November 19, 2022 when it was temporarily plugged.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Regulations 2022 Atmosphere 98

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 20, 2023

By Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press [On December 20, 2023, the Associated Press published this update on the resumption of shale gas drilling in the Dimock area of Susquehanna County after criminal charges against Coterra Energy, Inc. Coterra Energy Inc. PaEN] Click Here to read the entire article. Read more here.] 27 Released 1.1

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2010 Natural Gas Regulations 2023 111

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 24, 2024

DEP’s compliance database shows the number of violations issued by DEP for well abandonment is widespread across the industry. DEP is enforcing current law which holds conventional well owners who own oil and gas wells responsible for their integrity and for meeting environmental standards in law and regulations. Read more here.

Regulations 109

Regulations Law 2023 2024 109

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 26, 2023

From August 19 to 25, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 528 inspection entries. The operator was asked to file a written report by September 10, 2023 on how they were going to bring the wells into compliance. [ Notices of violation were issued. Read more here. Read more here.

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Natural Gas 2023 Atmosphere 2022 97

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

On February 8, the Pittsburgh-based Environmental Health Project issued this statement on the Ohio/PA train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio that resulted in fires and explosions releasing hazardous chemicals into the air. It is not yet known when residents will be permitted to return to the area. on Friday, February 3. 28 to Feb.

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Natural Gas Regulations 2019 Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

MAY 26, 2023

In December, DEP released its first-ever compliance report on conventional oil and gas operations which found DEP issued notices of violation for abandoning without plugging 2,246 conventional wells between 2017 and 2021-- an average of around 561 wells a year-- give or take. Read more here. Clinton County); Pennfield Energy Inc.

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Waste Regulations Natural Gas 2018 77

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 18, 2024

On January 18, the Department of Environmental Protection presented the final version of technical guidance on using trenchless technology to construct natural gas, other pipelines and underground utilities to the DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee. Read more here. And violations are continuing.]

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Natural Gas Technology Technology Regulations 105

The Energy Law Blog

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

The SNPR presents new data on ballast water management systems and solicits public comments on the standards and definitions applicable to ballast tanks, hulls and associated niche areas, and graywater systems. Coast Guard (“USCG”) to develop corresponding regulations to enforce compliance with the EPA’s standards.

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2020 Regulations Clean Water Act 2009 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 1, 2023

From March 25 to 31, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 510 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 41 violations of environmental regulations-- 30 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 11 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry. Monroe Twp. -

Natural Gas 89

Natural Gas Waste Regulations Fossil Fuels 89

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 5, 2023

Q: What does it mean practically for those kinds of carbon offsets to be voluntary? Gray: This is really about a distinction between regulated compliance markets and voluntary carbon markets. This does not mean voluntary credits are good or bad, just that they are not approved for use in a compliance market.

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Deforestation Government Regulations Greenhouse 130

The Energy Law Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2023

On December 7, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disapproved the state implementation plan (SIP) revisions for the Baton Rouge ozone nonattainment area that Louisiana set forth in response to EPA’s 2015 SIP Call rule. EPA reasoned that the work practice standards were replacements for automatic waivers during SSM periods.

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2015 Nitrogen Oxides Ozone 2023 52

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 24 PA Bulletin the final technical guidance on using trenchless technology to construct natural gas, other pipelines and underground utilities is now available and effective. A copy of the related Comment and Response Document is also available. Read more here. [On

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Natural Gas Technology Technology Regulations 95

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

The agenda includes -- -- Discussion of the first-ever assessment of how well conventional oil and gas drillers comply with state environmental laws DEP released on December 29 that concluded the industry accepts non-compliance as a norm. The report looked at environmental compliance in the industry between 2017 through 2021.

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Regulations Natural Gas 2013 Law 71

The Energy Law Blog

JANUARY 25, 2024

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality , 2023-CA-0578. In September 2022, the district court vacated the facility’s air permits finding, among other reasons, that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) had not done a proper analysis under the Louisiana Public Trust Doctrine. Opinion, at 46.

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Air Pollution Law 2024 Natural Resources 116

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 5, 2024

On January 5, the Department of Environmental Protection announced over $12 million in Growing Greener Plus Grants to support local watershed restoration projects, reclaim abandoned mines, reduce flooding, nutrient and sediment pollution. for environmental violations; and -- Federal American Rescue Plan funding.

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Conservation Natural Gas Natural Resources Environmental Protection 111