The Department of Environmental Protection told the DEP Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday it would be withdrawing proposed revisions to General Permit WMGR064 published on September 17, 2011 (PA Bulletin page 5000) which would have allowed the use of natural gas well brines in certain circumstances for dust suppressant and as a stabilizer for unpaved secondary roads.

A formal notice of this withdrawal was published in the November 24 PA Bulletin (PA Bulletin page 7203).

The General Permit remains in effect to allow the beneficial use of brines for roadway anti-icing purposes in certain circumstances.  The permit does not authorize the beneficial use of any fluids from unconventional wells (Marcellus) for these purposes.

11/26/2012