An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in enforcement and remedies, establishing a private right of action.
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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 creates a private right of action under Pennsylvania’s oil and gas laws. It allows individuals who are harmed or may be harmed by violations of the law, regulations, or permits to sue directly, rather than only through the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill also outlines procedures for intervening in lawsuits brought by the Department and specifies where these actions can be filed in court.
Key provisions
- Individuals with a stake can sue for compliance with oil and gas laws.
- Suing can be directed against the Department or other violators.
- A person affected by a violation can intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Department.
- Interveners are not required to provide a bond.
- Lawsuits can be filed in either common pleas court or Commonwealth Court.
- The bill does not prevent individuals from pursuing other legal remedies.
- The bill does not preempt the well control emergency response section (3219.1).
Who is affected
- Oil and gas industry operators
- Residents near oil and gas operations
- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Individuals potentially harmed by environmental violations
Notable changes
- Previously, enforcement of oil and gas regulations relied primarily on the Department of Environmental Protection.
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1366 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
6 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Steven Santarsiero
Arguments
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