The Independent Regulatory Review Commission will consider DEP’s Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78a (unconventional, Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations updates at its April 21 meeting in Harrisburg.

Click Here to find comments submitted by the Senate and House and members of the public to the IRRC on the final regulation.  Search for IRRC# 3042.

Due to the expected heavy attendance at the meeting, the IRRC announced the meeting will be streamed live online.  Click Here to watch the meeting live online starting at 9:00 a.m.

The final rulemaking has been in development three years and represents the first update to rules governing surface activities associated with the development of oil and gas wells since 2001 and implements provisions of the 2012 Oil and Gas Act.

The changes would strengthen the rules regarding oil and gas surface activities. These regulatory changes would:

-- Ensure the protection of public health, safety, and the environment.

-- Protect public resources to minimize impacts from oil and gas drilling.

-- Modernize the regulatory program to recognize advances in technology.

-- Address landowner concerns.

-- Enhance transparency and improve data management.

The IRRC has the authority to approve or disapprove the regulation.  If the regulation is disapproved,  DEP has the opportunity to come back to the IRRC with a response to the concerns expressed by the Commission or withdraw the regulation.

The IRRC meeting will be held in the 14th Floor Conference Room, 333 Market St., Harrisburg starting at 9:00 a.m.  Click Here to watch the meeting live online.

Click Here to find comments submitted by the Senate and House and members of the public to the IRRC on the final regulation.  Search for IRRC# 3042.

For more information on the regulatory process, visit the Independent Regulatory Review Commission website.

NewsClips:

Drilling Rules Headed For Key Vote After Judge Rejects Stay

Court Denies Oil Group’s Challenge Of Drilling Rules

House, Senate Panels Reject Oil & Gas Regulations

PLS Reporter: House, Senate Committees Disapprove DEP’s Drilling Regs

Energy Committees Urge No Vote On New Drilling Rules

Oil & Gas Regulations Rejected By House, Senate Committees

Related Stories:

Commonwealth Court Denies Challenge To DEP’s Drilling Regulations

Conventional Drillers Tell Court Time Is Now To Decide Whether DEP Violated The Law

Senate, House Environmental Committees Disapprove DEP Drilling Regs

COGENT Calls Committee Action to Disapprove DEP Drilling Regs A Travesty

Senate Committee OKs Bills to Kill Conventional Drilling Regs, Delay Clean Power Plan

4/18/2016