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Gov. Corbett Signs Bill On Spacing Gas Wells And Coal Seams
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Gov. Tom Corbett this week signed legislation into law to establish adequate and safe spacing between natural gas well clusters and workable coal seams. Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango), now Act 2 of 2011, creates adequate and safe spacing between gas well clusters and workable coal seams. No permit for a gas well covered by the act will 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 the new law, absent an agreement, either the coal operator or well applicant may activate a dispute resolution process to resolve the spacing issue.
The law 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 will assess appropriate pillar size around a well or well cluster to protect the workable coal seam and ensure the safety of coal miners, as well as any additional standards that should be considered by the department for the approval of pillars around wells penetrating a workable coal seam.
Sen. White is Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
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5/16/2011 |
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