05/13/24 - 108 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3chsfsfm
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Bill On Coordinating Natural Gas, Coal Mining Heads To Governor
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Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango), establishing adequate and safe spacing between natural gas well clusters and workable coal seams, was passed unchanged by the House this week and now goes to the Governor for his action. The bill amends the Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act to create adequate and safe spacing between gas well clusters and workable coal seams. No permit for a gas well covered by the act would be issued unless the well cluster is located at least 2,000 feet from the nearest well cluster, unless the permit applicant and the owner of the workable coal seam consent in writing.
"With the increase in natural gas development, Pennsylvania needs to have clear standards in place for the safe, ordered extraction of these valuable energy sources," said Sen. White. "Enactment of this new law will provide organized development between natural gas wells and workable coal seams."
Under Senate Bill 265, absent an agreement, either the coal operator or well applicant may activate a dispute resolution process to resolve the spacing issue.
The bill also requires the department to commission an independent study to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and update of the Joint Coal and Gas Committee Gas Well Pillar Study. The study would assess appropriate pillar size around an active/inactive well or well cluster to protect the workable coal seam and ensure the safety of coal miners, as well as any additional criteria or standards that should be considered by the department when considering the approval of pillars around an oil or gas well which penetrates a workable coal seam.
Sen. White serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
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5/2/2011 |
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