What permits and approvals are needed from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)?
DEP is responsible for enforcing the Oil and Gas Act, Oil and Gas Conservation Law, Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act, Clean Streams Law, Solid Waste Management Act and Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act. Before drilling or operating a well, the operator must obtain a well permit. The well permit is the primary authorization and addresses well location; notice to landowners, owners of water supplies, coal owners and gas storage operators; distance restrictions for existing building, steams, springs and wetlands, and public resources. The environmental protection performance standards and the well drilling, operation and plugging standards are contained in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 78. Each operator must have a Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency (PPC) Plan. Erosion and Sediment Control Plan The operator must prepare a plan and implement erosion and sediment controls in accordance with Chapter 102. If the operation located in a High Quality or Exceptional Value
