The Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it has scheduled the three public hearings on proposed final Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling performance standard regulations. (formal notice)

The hearings will be held from 6:00 and end at 9:00 p.m. on--

— April 29: Washington and Jefferson College, Rossin Campus Center – Allen Ballroom, 60 S. Lincoln St., Washington, Washington County;

— April 30: Warren County Courthouse, 204 4th Ave., Warren, Warren County; and

— May 4: Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Klump Academic Center, 1 College Ave., Williamsport, Lycoming County.

During the hearings, each speaker will have the opportunity to present up to five minutes of verbal testimony. To ensure that all speakers have a fair and equal opportunity to present their testimony, relinquishing of time to other speakers will be prohibited, and groups are asked to designate one speaker. All presenters should bring three copies of their comments and exhibits for submission to DEP.

Those who wish to present testimony during the hearing are asked to register in advance by contacting the DEP Policy Office at 717-783-8727. Individuals will be called to testify in the order they registered. If time permits at the hearing, those who did not register in advance will be given the opportunity to testify.

Those who prefer to present their comments in writing or who are unable to attend one of the hearings may submit written testimony online or by email to: RegComments@pa.gov. The public may also send comments to DEP Policy Office, 400 Market St., P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

Comments must be received by May 19, 2015. A subject heading of the rulemaking, the commentator’s full name, and a return address must be included in each comment submission.

DEP will consider relevant comments and provide a written response in its final rulemaking.

Individuals in need of an accommodation during the hearing as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984 (TDD).

DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Committee is also scheduled to meet on April 23 from 10:00 to noon to review and discuss the revised final Chapter 78A drilling regulations. (formal notice)

DEP’s  Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee, which is to review the Chapter 78 (conventional) drilling regulations, is next scheduled to meet on August 27.

Click Here for a summary of some of the proposed changes.

For more information and copies with the revised Chapter 78 and 78A regulations, visit DEP’s Oil and Gas Regulations webpage.

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4/20/2015