PA Environment Digest

A set of new standards that will make natural gas wells safer were approved unanimously this week by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Hanger praised the IRRC vote, saying the new regulations will, among other things, impose more stringent construction standards on gas wells, making them less likely to allow natural gas to escape and contaminate water supplies or cause safety concerns.

The final-form regulations now go to the state Office of Attorney General for final review and approval. The regulations were deemed approved by the House and Senate Environmental Resources and Energy committees.

"When gas migrates from a poorly constructed gas well through the ground, it can contaminate water supplies or build up to explosive levels in water wells or even homes," said Secretary Hanger. "These strong rules will eliminate or significantly reduce the problem of gas migration from poorly designed or constructed gas wells, as long as the rules are followed or enforced."

Secretary Hanger added that the new rules also will require drillers to report production and waste volumes electronically and to submit a detailed report of the chemicals they use in the hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – process. In addition to these important provisions, operators will be required to keep a list of emergency contact phone numbers at the well site and follow a new set of instructions on what steps to take in the event of a gas migration incident.

"Pennsylvania can have economic progress without sacrificing environmental protection. People should not be forced to choose between good-paying jobs or clean drinking water. That's a false choice. Our community deserves and can have both," said Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre). "I think between the extreme positions of 'no drilling' and 'no regulation,' we can find a commonsense compromise that promotes job creation and protects our environment.

"These new rules are a step in the direction of increased protection for Pennsylvania families. As more and more natural gas is harvested in Pennsylvania, we will have to continue to balance our economic needs with our environmental responsibilities.

"We have an amazing opportunity to move toward energy independence and promote job growth while ensuring local families have safe water supplies. We can and we need to do all three."

The regulations also include provisions clarifying how and when blow-out prevention equipment is to be installed and operated.

The Environmental Quality Board approved the regulations on a final vote of 15-1 in October, after receiving nearly 2,000 public comments during the comment period and a series of five public hearings. A majority of the comments supported the new regulations.

In drafting the regulations, DEP also met with numerous oil and gas operators, industry groups and environmental groups to discuss the regulations in detail.

The department used the public's input to make several important changes to the regulations, which further improved the well-design requirements to prevent gas migration incidents, including:

-- A provision that requires operators to have a pressure barrier plan to minimize well control events;

-- A provision that requires operators to condition the wellbore to ensure an adequate bond between the cement, casing and the formation;

-- Provisions that require the use of centralizers to ensure casings are properly positioned in the wellbore; and

-- A provision that improves the quality of the cement placed in the casing that protects fresh groundwater.

Once all reviews and approvals are obtained, the regulations will go into effect upon publication in the PA Bulletin.

NewsClips: Panel OKs New Gas Drilling Safeguards

   Gas Well Regulation Clears Final Hurdle
   New State Drilling Regulations On The Way
   Tougher Gas Drilling Rules OK'd
   Gas Drilling Did Not Impact Water Well Official Said
   DEP Chief: Support For Well Controls Doubted

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