PA Environment Digest

Rep. Camille George (D-Clearfield), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Wednesday said he is seeking support for legislation he is drafting to address concerns with injection wells used to dispose or store oil and gas drilling waste.

“I receive calls and e-mails about this issue nearly every day,” Rep. George said. “People are concerned about their water and the potential dangers associated with injection wells.”

At least eight injection wells exist in Pennsylvania, and an injection well has been proposed in Brady Township, Clearfield County, to dispose of industrial gas drillers’ waste from the Marcellus shale play. Roughly two dozen applications across the state are pending.

Rep. George said only injection wells drilled for the disposal of waste from oil- or natural-gas-related drilling would be affected by his legislation.

“My bill provides for a two-year moratorium on the drilling of any new injection wells used for disposing of oil or gas waste,” Rep. George said. “The bill will not affect existing wells. However, any wells drilled after Jan. 1 of this year, including the well proposed in Brady Township, would not be allowed to accept the drilling waste.”

The measure also will contain other water protection measures that will remain in effect after the moratorium expires.

Included in Rep. George’s bill is a 2,000-foot setback from private water supplies, unless consent is granted by the owner of the private water well, as well as a 5,500-foot setback from public water supplies.

The bill bans the deep waste-disposal wells in floodplains and provides a 2,000-foot setback from trout streams and High Quality/Exceptional Value waterways.

Rep. George currently is accepting co-sponsors for the bill and plans to introduce it before the House returns to session in March.

“Communities cannot exist without fresh water,” Rep. George said. “We must do everything possible to ensure the integrity and protection of our drinking water supplies.”

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