An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well location restrictions.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s oil and gas regulations to further restrict where wells can be drilled. Specifically, it increases the minimum distance between new wells and existing buildings or water wells, with larger setbacks required for unconventional gas wells. It also establishes a 5,000-foot setback from schools and hospitals. The bill allows for variances to these restrictions under certain circumstances, requiring operators to submit a plan with additional safety measures and conditions.
Key provisions
- Increases setback distances for well drilling to 200 feet from buildings or water wells for conventional wells and 2,500 feet for unconventional wells.
- Establishes a 5,000-foot setback from existing water wells.
- Requires written consent from property owners for well placement near buildings or water wells.
- Creates a process for obtaining variances from setback requirements, subject to departmental review and additional safety measures.
- Mandates a 5,000-foot setback from schools and hospitals.
- Allows for an extension of permit review periods when a variance request is pending.
Who is affected
- Oil and gas industry
- Property owners
- Water well owners
- Residents near well sites
- Local governments
Notable changes
- Increases setback distances for well locations.
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1297 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
6 on record
Primary sponsor
Steven Santarsiero
Cosponsors
Judith Schwank
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