PA Environment Daily

APRIL 16, 2023

billion gallons of drilling wastewater generated every year in Pennsylvania-- where it does for disposal or recycling, waste injection well development, problems with the conventional and shale gas wastewater reporting system, road dumping of conventional drilling wastewater and much more. Click Here to read the entire article.

Natural Gas 91

Natural Gas 2020 Regulations Air Pollution 91

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. Conventional oil and gas well companies have so far shifted over $5.1 Read more here. Read more here.

Natural Gas 97

Natural Gas Law Regulations Waste 97

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. Read more here.

Natural Gas 97

Natural Gas 2030 Natural Resources Environmental Protection 97

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. Washington County: 14 orphan conventional natural gas wells in Cecil, North Franklin, Buffalo, and Canton Townships.

Natural Gas 52

Natural Gas 2017 Environmental Protection Law 52

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

PGE will attempt to use new underground “micro-tunneling” technology for the natural gas pipeline, down steep slopes on both sides the Creek. During DCNR’s last meeting with residents in March 2021, Deputy Secretary Norbeck asked neighbors to submit the rest of their questions and concerns in writing.

Natural Gas 105

Natural Gas 2018 2021 2014 105

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 16, 2023

The 2021 Oil and Gas Program Annual Report issued by DEP in December shows conventional oil and gas operators received a record 610 notices of violation for abandoning wells without plugging them and unconventional shale gas operators received 27 NOVs. Click Here for DEP’s summary of violations for 2021.

2021 52

2021 Natural Gas Waste 2017 52

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 6, 2024

DEP took higher level enforcement actions against 15 other conventional operators for violations, including issuing Field Orders, Administrative Orders and Compliance Orders and obtaining Court Orders, for spills, illegal disposal of waste, creating a health and safety hazards by venting gas and erosion and sedimentation BMP failures.

2023 120

2023 2021 2020 Natural Gas 120

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2022

A significant change in the culture of non-compliance as an acceptable norm in the conventional oil and gas industry will need to occur before meaningful improvement can happen.” The report looked at environmental compliance in the industry between 2017 through 2021. Why The Assessment? DEP’s assessment was promised by Gov.

Waste 98

Waste 2017 Regulations Environmental Protection 98

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 94

Waste 2017 Natural Gas 2021 94

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

MAY 14, 2024

Major Actions Take By DEP In 2023 The enforcement actions taken by DEP against the five shale gas companies with the most penalty assessments, include-- CNX Gas Company, LLC - $92,490 -- Civil Penalty - $7,500 - Finnegan RHL8 - Greene County, Richhill Twp.

2018 107

2018 2023 2020 2019 107

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 13, 2023

On January 12, DEP released bid packages to plug 38 more abandoned conventional natural gas wells in Venango County at taxpayer expense under the new federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law well plugging program. Click Here for more information. -- Venango County: 19 abandoned natural gas wells in Cornplanter Township.

Natural Gas 94

Natural Gas Waste Law 2017 94

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

The WSU study focused on naturally occurring radioisotopes such as 226 Ra, 228 Ra, 210 Po and 210 Pb, which are present in brines, salt deposits and geologic reservoirs that serve as oil/gas reservoirs. These radioactive isotopes are found in the waste of both conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling operations.

Waste 97

Waste 2016 Natural Gas 2021 97

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 19, 2023

Routine Well Abandonments In December, DEP issued a report finding conventional oil and gas operators routinely abandon wells since bonding amounts are insignificant. The December report issued on conventional wells found between 2017 and 2021 conventional operators abandoned 2,246 wells without plugging them. Read more here.

Natural Gas 88

Natural Gas Waste 2017 Natural Resources 88

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. billion cubic foot uncontrolled venting of natural gas in November 2022.

2023 123

2023 Natural Gas Environmental Protection 2022 123

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. That provides an incentive for abandonment rather than obeying the law. Former Gov. His successor, Gov.

Waste 127

Waste Regulations 2017 Natural Gas 127

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 21, 2023

On January 19, DEP released two more bid packages to plug 43 more abandoned conventional natural gas wells in Clarion County at taxpayer expense under the new federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law well plugging program. Click Here for more information. -- Venango County: 19 abandoned natural gas wells in Cornplanter Township.

Natural Gas 74

Natural Gas 2017 2021 2019 74

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 10, 2023

Click Here To View Or Print The Entire April 10 PA Environment Digest 88 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA This Week’s Examples Of Going The WRONG WAY On Environmental, Energy Issues Weekly List Of PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic House Bill Would Expand Safety Zones Around Oil/Gas Wells, (..)

Natural Gas 88

Natural Gas Earth Day Waste Recycling 88

Law and Environment

DECEMBER 21, 2021

The Climate Act requires that the scoping plan “inform the state energy planning board’s adoption of a state energy plan,” and the State’s energy law requires that all state entities must make “any energy-related action[s] or decision[s] … reasonably consistent with the. state energy] plan.”.

Greenhouse 130

Greenhouse Clean Energy Biofuels 2030 130

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. on YouTube. Why Does It Matter? What Can We Do Better To Protect Public Health?

Radiation 89

Radiation Natural Gas Atmosphere Waste 89

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

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 23, 2023

Funding for the program that does permit reviews, inspections and enforcement of state laws and regulations covering conventional and unconventional shale gas drilling and natural gas infrastructure is based on permit review fees and an occasional $6 million transfer to DEP from the Marcellus Legacy Fund supported by Act 13 drilling impact fees.

Regulations 90

Regulations 2023 Natural Gas 2022 90

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

APRIL 21, 2023

PA Bulletin, page 2257 ) -- Roundtop Energy, LLC - Natural Gas Power Plant: DEP issued state-only Air Quality Permit for the facility in Auburn Borough, Susquehanna County. ( PA Bulletin, page 2262 ) -- CNX Gas Company, LLC: DEP issued a Chapter 102 permit for a project impacting Beaver Run in Bell Twp., Susquehanna County. (

Natural Gas 89

Natural Gas Waste 2023 Regulations 89

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 11, 2022

The November 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL, includes an $8 billion “regional clean hydrogen hubs” program that charges the Department of Energy (DOE) with the development of at least four hydrogen hubs to advance the nation’s clean hydrogen sector.

Fossil Fuels 250

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Natural Gas Waste 250

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 22, 2023

From April 15 to 21, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 465 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 50 violations of environmental regulations-- 46 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 4 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

Waste 89

Waste Natural Gas 2013 Regulations 89

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Oil and gas water resources are concentrated along the main stem of Towanda Creek, including 30 interconnections or impoundments and eight surface water withdrawal sites. In 2021, 281 wells reported producing 1,908,292 barrels (80 million gallons) of liquid waste and 54,248 tons of solid waste. Williams, Esq.,

Natural Gas 52

Natural Gas Waste 2008 2022 52

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 22, 2023

14 to 20 [PaEN] -- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - Jan. Billion Cost Of Plugging Conventional Oil & Gas Wells - By Barb Jarmoska, Keep It Wild PA [ Abandoned Oil, Gas Wells Can Cost PA Taxpayers $1.8 21 [PaEN] -- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Sets Feb. 2 Hearing On A 4.5

Natural Gas 74

Natural Gas 2023 Renewable Energy Waste 74

PA Environment Daily

JULY 15, 2023

From July 8 to 14, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 672 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 52 violations (new and continuing) of environmental regulations-- 43 violation entries by the conventional oil and gas industry and 9 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

Natural Gas 66

Natural Gas Waste 2023 Regulations 66

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

On January 23, 2021, approximately 10 barrels, or 420 gallons, of production fluid discharged onto the ground due to an equipment failure. And on April 22, 2021, another equipment failure led to the discharge of 40 gallons of production fluid onto the ground. Ketyer, M.D.,

Natural Gas 105

Natural Gas 2019 2021 Regulations 105

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 16, 2024

Shafer 1 conventional gas well operated by Crawford Energy Search Co. The original violation was issued on November 24, 2021. [No On March 7, 2024 , DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Anderson 1 conventional well operated by C & D Gas Co. in Union Township, Crawford County. No inspection report available online.]

2024 109

2024 Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 2022 109

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 5, 2022

Background Conventional oil and gas well companies have so far shifted over $5.1 Wolf allowed to become law blocking any attempts to increase the bonding amounts for 10 years. It is clear abandoning wells without paying the cost of plugging them is a pervasive part of the way conventional oil and gas industry’s operate.

Waste 98

Waste 2016 Natural Gas Environmental Protection 98

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 4, 2022

The bills include-- -- Senate Bill 692 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) would establish erosion and sedimentation permit requirements in law under the mistaken notion DEP’s existing permit is not based on existing statutory authority which it is-- the Oil and Gas Act, the Clean Streams Law and other provisions of law.

Recycling 89

Recycling Waste Natural Gas Law 89

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

DEP issued notices of violations for abandonment, failure to submit annual production and waste generation and well integrity reports and for other violations. Violations related to well abandonment and failure to submit annual production and waste generation and well integrity reports remain in place. [

Natural Gas 88

Natural Gas 2024 2023 Carbon Dioxide 88

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 20, 2023

The April 14 inspection report noted violations for-- -- Failure to notify DEP of the spill/release -- Discharging industrial waste into waters of the Commonwealth -- Failed to control and dispose of fluids and residual waste to prevention pollution -- Failing to collect brine and other fluids produced during the operation of a well On April 17, DEP (..)

Natural Gas 82

Natural Gas Waste Natural Resources 2023 82

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 16, 2023

More Background Since March 2011, the state Department of Health has been attempting to document health complaints of residents initially in unconventional oil and gas drilling areas and maintains a Health Complaints Registry. within one-half mile). Of Health Awards $2.5 Of Health Awards $2.5

Natural Resources 94

Natural Resources Natural Gas Climate Change Air Pollution 94

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

In discussing the late December winter storm that nearly led to rolling blackouts in the MidAtlantic region of 65 million people, Yaw suggested that increasing amounts of renewable energy were to blame for the near-miss and condemned neighboring states for adopting policies that “emphasize solar and wind power over natural gas.”

Renewable Energy 105

Renewable Energy Natural Gas Electricity Fossil Fuels 105