Oct. 17th is the last day to register to vote in NJ for the General Election, let’s make sure we get out the vote and make our voices heard at the polls on this very important issue and more like our livelihoods, our economy and our energy security depend on it BECAUSE THEY DO!
NJ DOS – Division of Elections – Register to Vote!
In Solidarity!
Analysis and Impact of Legislative Proposals to Expand Setback Distances in Pennsylvania
(Submitted by Marcellus Shale Coalition President/EEAC Board Member Dave Callahan)
Setbacks serve as a reasonable buffer between natural gas wells and a public or private resource over the life of a well.
Setbacks complement the most stringent permitting and inspection programs for natural gas development in the nation.
Current setback distances established by Act 13 of 2012: a major updating of the Oil and Gas Act.
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- 300 feet from streams, springs, wetlands and bodies of water
- 500 feet from water wells and existing buildings
- 1,000 feet from public drinking water supply intakes
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SB 650 and HB 1465 from the 2021-2022 PA Legislative Session would impose new setback distances.
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- 2500 feet from buildings water wells and drinking water supply intakes
- 5,000 feet from reservoirs, schools and hospitals
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The legislation would prohibit new wells from being drilled on existing well pads, intended for multiple wells, within the setback distances, thereby choking off further development.
The new proposed setback distances would ban wells from the vast majority of land in key producing counties:
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- Allegheny – 99% of land banned, compared to 75% under current setbacks
- Lycoming – 65% of land banned, compared to 21% under current setbacks
- Susquehanna – 96% of land banned, compared to 30% under current setbacks
- Tioga – 81% of land banned, compared to 26% under current setbacks
- Washington – 97% of land banned, compared to 43% under current setbacks
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The small amount of land not banned under the legislation may not be suitable for development due to geology, geography, lack of mineral rights, zoning constraints, and more – significantly magnifying the dangerous impact.
Increasing setbacks would have costly and damaging consequences of Significantly reducing jobs for construction trade unions
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- Reducing domestic energy production
- Reducing Pennsylvania’s ability to produce hydrogen
- Increasing electricity costs
- Degrading reliability of the electric grid
- Increasing threats to our energy security and national security
- Eliminating income for Pennsylvania royalty owners
- Reducing tax receipts from the natural gas industry, royalty owners, employees, and more
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Pennsylvania’s setback distances, together with its rigorous regulatory standards, are highly protective of the environment and human health and should not be increased.