Independent Review Commends Pa. Oil and Gas Program
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- An independent peer review of The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Oil and Gas Management has determined that the department is proficient and ready to address the increase in oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania, the office announces.
A nonprofit, multi-stakeholder organization called State Review of Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations Inc. conducted the review.
"This review demonstrates that the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania is matched by world-class oil and gas management and regulations," said Chris Abruzzo, department acting secretary, in a prepared statement. "Pennsylvanians can be assured that DEP is protecting their health and environment while oil and gas operations continue to grow."
The review organization is composed of experts from government, industry and environmental organizations who conduct reviews evaluate program strengths and provide recommendations for program improvements of state oil and gas programs throughout the nation. The department's participation fulfills a recommendation the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission offers Abruzzo said.
Upon completing the review, the team cited the strengths of the Office of Oil and Gas Management:
- Increasing staff levels to address additional permitting, inspection and enforcement activities related to increased unconventional gas well development.
- Expanding the program's public participation activities associated with the abandoned well sites program.
- Initiating a comprehensive evaluation of radiation levels specifically associated with unconventional gas development, the first of its kind in the nation.
- Mandating that operators who perform earth disturbance activities associated with oil and gas activities develop and implement erosion and sedimentation control best-management practices to minimize the potential for erosion and sedimentation.
- Advancing the hydraulic fracturing program and requiring that well operators that conduct well casing and cementing maintain control at all times and prevent the migration of gas or fluids into sources of fresh groundwater.
Along with identifying strengths, the review team made recommendations to the office.
Among them are improvements such as encouraging the Department of Environmental Protection to maintain consistent, standardized data for tracking violations and enforcement for the public; consider developing a process to determine surface casing setting depths to protect fresh groundwater; and consider development of additional guidance for pre-drill sampling of water wells near potential well sites.
The significant environmental enhancements included in Act 13 of 2012, which represented the first comprehensive update to the state's Oil and Gas Act in nearly 30 years, has contributed significantly to Pennsylvania's increased protections of public health and the environment, Abruzzo noted, adding that the office will work to implement the recommendations "to further protect Pennsylvania's natural resources."
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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