(a) Emergency regulations.--The agency and the Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt emergency regulations directing the operators of all unconventional wells within this Commonwealth to do all of the following:
(1) Adopt a unique GPS coordinate address for each unconventional well at both the access road entrance and well pad site.
(2) Register that address with the agency, the Department of Environmental Protection and the county emergency management organization within the county where the unconventional well is located.
(3) Require the development of an emergency response plan and file that plan with the agency, the Department of Environmental Protection and the county emergency management organization with jurisdiction over the unconventional well. The county shall disseminate the GPS address and emergency response plan to the local emergency management organization in which the unconventional well is located.
(4) Post a reflective sign at the entrance to each unconventional well site with the specific address of that site, the coordinates for the site, the emergency contact number for the operator and such other information as the agency or the Department of Environmental Protection deems necessary.
(b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Unconventional formation." A geological shale formation existing below the base of the Elk Sandstone or its geologic equivalent stratigraphic interval where natural gas generally cannot be produced at economic flow rates or in economic volumes except by vertical or horizontal well bores stimulated by:
(1) hydraulic fracture treatments;
(2) using multilateral well bores; or
(3) other techniques to expose more of the formation of the well bore.
"Unconventional well." A bore hole drilled or being drilled for the purpose of or to be used for the production of natural gas from an unconventional formation.
(Feb. 2, 2012, P.L.67, No.9, eff. imd.)
2012 Amendment. Act 9 added section 7321. Section 2 of Act 9 provided that regulations promulgated under section 7321 shall apply to both new and existing unconventional wells within this Commonwealth.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.