PA Environment Daily

JUNE 2, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection gave notice in the June 3 PA Bulletin it is taking action to enforce an order against Michael Harju and Economy Natural Gas, Inc. for their failure to plug four conventional natural gas wells leaking methane in Scott Township, Allegheny County.

Natural Gas 97

Natural Gas Waste 2023 2018 97

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 2, 2023

By Cat (Cathy) Lodge, Washington County Resident My family’s home is in Washington County and we have more Marcellus and Utica Shale natural gas industrial facilities than any other county in Pennsylvania. Counties across the state have witnessed harm from the heavy industrial activity associated with natural gas exploration.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas 2018 2015 Waste 98

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

On September 1, the Department of Environmental Protection said any waste generated by the new conventional oil and gas well plugging program will NOT be exempt from hazardous waste requirements, unlike the same or similar wastes generated from active oil and gas production wells and facilities.

Waste 98

Waste Regulations Radiation Natural Gas 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 10, 2023

On December 27, 2022-- Christmas week-- a malfunction at the CNX Oak Springs Natural Gas Pipeline Pigging Station in South Franklin Township, Washington County resulted in the release of an estimated 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas and hazardous air pollutants. From approximately 10:14 a.m. to at least 11:55 a.m.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Air Pollution 2012 2019 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 16, 2023

The Grand Jury Report was released by then Attorney General Shapiro in June 2020 after what he said then was a two-year investigation uncovered systematic failure by government agencies in overseeing the fracking industry and fulfilling their responsibility to protect Pennsylvanians from the inherent risks of industry operations.

Natural Gas 97

Natural Gas 2020 Regulations Air Pollution 97

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 10, 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a record 6,860 notices of violation to conventional oil and gas operators in 2023, according to DEP’s December 29, 2023 Weekly Workload Report. more than in 2021 and 26.6% Plum Borough was the site of a natural gas home explosion in August that killed six people.

2023 115

2023 2021 Natural Gas 2018 115

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

The PA Environment Digest prepared a policy paper in August of 2021 on the issue of requiring natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to have insurance or financial assurance in place to cover property damage, bodily harm and environmental cleanup resources if a leak or explosion happens. Read more here.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas 2030 Natural Resources Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 31, 2022

More complete DEP records now show conventional oil and gas drillers reported spreading 977,671 gallons of untreated drilling wastewater on Pennsylvania's roads in 2021, according to an updated report by the Better Path Coalition released Wednesday. Fracking waste is fracking waste. There’s no difference. Read more here.

2021 98

2021 Waste Environmental Protection Regulations 98

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 1, 2021

On September 29, the Department of Environmental Protection terminated the air quality permit for the proposed Beech Hollow natural gas-fired power plant in Robinson Township, Washington County at the request of the company. Read more here.

Natural Gas 78

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 2021 78

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

The pace of companies abandoning conventional oil and natural gas wells without plugging them continues to accelerate in 2022 threatening to put Pennsylvania’s taxpayer-funded well plugging program even further behind. What Can We Do Better To Protect Public Health? Read more here. Read more here. Why Does It Matter?

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Law Regulations Waste 98

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 5, 2023

On January 5, the Department of Environmental Protection released three more requests for bids to plug 46 conventional natural gas wells in Armstrong and Washington County through the website BidExpress.com. Million, Environmental Costs Of $1.8 Million, Environmental Costs Of $1.8 Read more here.

Natural Gas 52

Natural Gas 2017 Environmental Protection Law 52

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 1, 2021

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committees are scheduled to hold a hearing October 4 on the “consumer and economic impacts of failing to invest in Pennsylvania’s natural gas infrastructure." A list of witnesses scheduled to testify is not available at this time.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Greenhouse Politics Renewable Energy 98

PA Environment Daily

MAY 14, 2024

Information provided by the Department of Environmental Protection in response to a Right to Know request shows DEP took major enforcement actions against 26 shale gas drilling and pipeline companies in 2023, including imposing $2,290,849 in penalties for violations going back to 2018.

2018 114

2018 2023 2020 2019 114

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

As of February 17, the Department of Environmental Protection reported 4,425 owners of 61,655 conventional oil and gas wells-- 57.5 percent of all conventional wells-- failed to submit their annual production and waste generation and disposal reports. It covered violations from 2017 through 2021. Where did it go?

Waste 98

Waste 2017 Natural Gas 2021 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 28, 2023

On April 27, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has tentatively scheduled an online "public conference" May 18 on the proposed Roulette Oil & Gas waste injection well in Clara Township, Potter County from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Waste 98

Waste Natural Gas Environmental Protection Climate Change 98

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2022

The report looked at environmental compliance in the industry between 2017 through 2021. Overview Of Non-Compliance DEP reports between 2017 through 2021, the agency did 63,026 inspections of wells belonging to 1,512 conventional oil and gas well owners operating 34,812 wells.

Waste 98

Waste 2017 Regulations Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 2, 2021

The PA Environment Digest prepared a policy paper on the issue of requiring natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to have insurance or financial assurance in place to cover property damage, bodily harm and environmental cleanup resources if a leak or explosion happens. Read more here. Read more here.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas 2030 Natural Resources Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 6, 2022

“One of your first acts when you take office must be a ban on road spreading of ALL drilling waste.” Pennfield has obtained a Co-Product status instead of Waste with our brine. barrels of produced water in Forest County in 2021. How much of its own waste and its client’s it actually spread is unknown.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Waste 2018 2021 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 8, 2023

From April 1 to 7, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 488 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 34 violations of environmental regulations-- 31 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 2 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

Natural Gas 94

Natural Gas Atmosphere Waste 2017 94

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued a record 5,653 notices of violation to conventional oil and gas operators in 2023, with two months left in the year, according to DEP’s November 3, 2023 Weekly Workload Report. That’s 25% more than in 2021. Read more here. Read more here. Read more here.

2023 126

2023 Natural Gas Environmental Protection 2022 126

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 6, 2024

Information provided by the Department of Environmental Protection in response to a Right To Know request shows DEP took enforcement action against 14 conventional oil and gas well operators that resulted in collecting $422,365 in penalties and bond forfeitures in 2023. Read more here (2017-2021). Read more here.

2023 122

2023 2021 2020 Natural Gas 122

PA Environment Daily

MAY 10, 2023

In an April 2023 DEP determination of whether natural gas drilling contaminated a Washington County family’s water well, DEP said the “widespread presence of PFAS” forever chemicals in fresh water may have led to “inadvertently” using contaminated water to frack a shale gas well. Read more here. Read more here. Read more here.

Radiation 105

Radiation Waste 2019 2012 105

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 18, 2023

From February 11 to 17, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 513 inspection reports that resulted in reporting 48 violations of environmental regulations-- 28 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 20 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

Natural Gas 105

Natural Gas Waste Regulations Environmental Protection 105

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 3, 2023

From May 27 to June 2, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 529 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 107 new and continuing violations of environmental regulations-- 83 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 23 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Waste 2023 Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 8, 2022

By Josh Raulerson, PA Environmental Council Data published in February by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show a startling 9.6% increase in carbon dioxide pollution from the Commonwealth’s power plants between 2020 and 2021.

Greenhouse 59

Greenhouse 2021 Carbon Dioxide Clean Energy 59

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 19, 2023

These individuals are tentatively scheduled to provide comments-- -- David Hess, Former Secretary of DEP -- Kelsey Krepps, Sierra Club -- Kurt Klapkowski, Acting DEP Deputy for Oil & Gas Management -- Arthur Stewart, Cameron Energy -- Adam Peltz, Environmental Defense Fund Corrective Legislation On April 19, Rep. Read more here.

Natural Gas 96

Natural Gas Waste 2017 Natural Resources 96

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 23 PA Bulletin announcing the availability of the new General Permit Plan Approval covering Coal-Mine Methane Enclosed Flares (BAQ-GPA/GP-21). million metric tons, just behind natural gas production at 12.33 million metric tons.

Carbon Monoxide 105

Carbon Monoxide 2005 Greenhouse Natural Gas 105

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

This editorial first appeared in the Scranton Times on February 24, 2023 -- Many state lawmakers long ago abandoned their constitutional duty to preserve the environment by instead representing the natural gas industry. Now, a report by the state Department of Environmental Protection reflects that legislative malpractice.

Waste 132

Waste Regulations 2017 Natural Gas 132

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 3, 2023

An April 5 webinar hosted by Truthdig will feature a panel discussion on Radioactivity and Oil and Gas Development from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Limpert works on issues of Stormwater Management for Maryland’s National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection. on YouTube.

Radiation 97

Radiation Natural Gas Atmosphere Waste 97

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 31, 2023

PA Bulletin, page 1855 ) Waste Permits -- Range Resources-Appalachia, LLC: DEP invites comments on WMGR123 General Permit application for oil and gas waste processing facility at Leavitt Bruce Tank Pad in Buffalo Twp., miles of natural gas pipeline in Potter County. ( Susquehanna County. ( Washington County. (

Natural Gas 94

Natural Gas Waste Regulations Fossil Fuels 94

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 23, 2023

Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) at the March 22 Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on DEP’s budget request , the Department of Environmental Protection said it is projecting a $1,581,000 deficit in funding for the Oil and Gas Regulation Program. In response to questions from Sen. Read more here. DEP’s investigation is ongoing.

Regulations 97

Regulations 2023 Natural Gas 2022 97

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 12, 2022

On December 12, the Better Path Coalition delivered signatures from 65 organizations , institutions, and businesses, and more than 2,700 individuals on a letter and petition calling on Governor-Elect Shapiro to ban road spreading of conventional drilling waste. Pennfield has obtained a Co-Product status instead of Waste with our brine.

Waste 98

Waste 2016 2018 Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 2, 2023

Conventional Well Plugging Notice The Department of Environmental Protection gave notice in the June 3 PA Bulletin it is taking action to enforce an order against Michael Harju and Economy Natural Gas, Inc. for their failure to plug four conventional natural gas wells leaking methane in Scott Township, Allegheny County.

Natural Gas 94

Natural Gas Air Pollution Waste 2023 94

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 6, 2022

On October 6, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has assessed and collected a $147,250 civil penalty from Rice Drilling B LLC for erosion and sedimentation violations that were documented in 2019 and 2020 at Rice’s Mac well site in Whitely Township, Greene County.

2019 95

2019 2017 Natural Gas 2020 95

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

The state legislature required the new water plan, which was prepared by the Department of Environmental Protection with the guidance of more than 100 public and private stakeholders. Between 2009 and 2021, daily withdrawals of water in the state decreased by 33%, mostly because of coal-fired power plants closing.

2009 95

2009 Climate Change Natural Gas Environmental Protection 95

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 28, 2022

An October 13 inspection by the Department of Environmental Protection again found multiple violations of the state Clean Streams Law and Solid Waste Management Act at the PA General Energy Shawnee water withdrawal and natural gas pipeline construction site on the Loyalsock Creek in Gamble Township, Lycoming County.

Natural Gas 98

Natural Gas Natural Resources Fossil Fuels 2018 98

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 30, 2022

DEP reported in its Right To Know response just 76 conventional companies were assessed penalties for their violations over the last six years by the agency totalling $2,524,973-- between 2016 and 2021. Read more here.

Waste 98

Waste 2016 Regulations 2021 98