On October 14, the House Democratic Policy Committee is scheduled to hold a virtual hearing on loopholes in state programs to regulate radioactive and hazardous oil and gas drilling waste and their impact on communities, worker safety and public health.

The hearing is hosted by Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny) who Friday introduced three new pieces of legislation--

-- House Bill 2925 adds oil and gas “drilling fluids, produced waters and other waste associated with the exploration, development or production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal energy” to the definition of hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Management Act.

-- House Bill 2926 removes the exemption in Act 13 Oil and Gas Act from requirements to obtain a waste permit, track waste from generation to disposal and post financial assurance under the Solid Waste Management Act.

-- House Bill 2927 would prohibit landfills from accepting drilling waste from oil and gas operations which can contaminate landfill leachate with radioactive materials.  It also prohibits wastewater facilities from accepting leachate contaminated with drilling waste runoff.

The hearing will start at 2:00 p.m.  Click Here to watch online.

Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) serves as Chair of the Policy Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3555 or send email to: rep.mikesturla@pahouse.net.

Related Articles:

-- DEP Fines Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill $24,000 To Resolve Waste Violations; Drilling Waste Impacts On Leachate

-- House Republicans Pass Bill Rolling Back Environmental Protection Requirements For Conventional Oil & Gas Drilling

-- Opposition To Road Dumping Drilling Wastewater Grows: 166 Organizations, 1,445 Citizens Call On House To Reject Senate Bill 790

-- You Are Looking At A Map Of Future Dumpsites For Conventional Oil & Gas Drilling Wastewater If Road Dumping Is Approved By General Assembly

[Posted: October 10, 2020]

10/12/2020