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Sen. Yaw Introduces Bill To Protect Water Resources From Drilling
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Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) has introduced a measure to further strengthen regulations pertaining to the natural gas industry and ensure that additional safety measures are implemented to protect Pennsylvania's water resources. Senate Bill 601 would increase the distance that a natural gas drilling company would be presumed liable for any contamination of a water supply within a year after completion or alteration of a well within 1,500 to 2,500 feet. The legislation would also further increase the horizontal distance from a Marcellus well and an existing building or water supply from 200 feet to 500 feet.
"The environment is our life support-system, and we must ensure its protection," said Sen. Yaw. "These increases will provide important and necessary safeguards for landowners within impacted areas."
In addition to the setbacks, permit applicants are required to forward a copy of the plan to:
-- The surface landowner;
-- Coal owner if coal rights have been severed from the surface;
-- All surface landowners within 1,500 to 2,500 feet of the Marcellus well location; and
-- The municipality where the proposed well is located and a municipality within 2,500 feet from the proposed Marcellus well location.
Senate Bill 601 would allow the department to establish additional protective measures for the storage of hazardous chemicals or material intended to be used on the well-drilling site within 500 feet of any such stream, spring, body of water, or wetland. It would specifically take into account if the storage affects sources used for public drinking water supplies or whether the proposed well location is within a flood plain.
The legislation would also require the department to ensure that a restored or replaced water supply meets applicable water quality standards consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act and pre-drilling or alteration water quality standards as determined by the department.
Additionally, the legislation would also ensure that a facility which seeks a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for treating and discharging wastewater from oil and gas activities is operated by a competent and qualified individual.
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3/7/2011 |
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