Pennsylvania HB 1946: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well location restrictions.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2455
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1946
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY VITALI, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS, K.HARRIS, PROBST,
RABB, HOHENSTEIN, WEBSTER, KENYATTA AND FRANKEL,
OCTOBER 14, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION, OCTOBER 16, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in development, further providing for well location
restrictions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3215(a) and (b) of Title 58 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended and the section
is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 3215. Well location restrictions.
(a) General rule.--Wells may not be drilled within 200 feet,
or, in the case of an unconventional gas well, [500] 2,500 feet,
measured horizontally from the [vertical well bore] perimeter of
the well pad to a building or water well, existing when the copy
of the plat is mailed as required by section 3211(b) (relating
to well permits) without written consent of the owner of the
building or water well. Unconventional gas wells may not be
drilled within [1,000] 2,500 feet measured horizontally from the
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[vertical well bore] perimeter of the well pad to any existing
water well, surface water intake, reservoir or other water
supply extraction point used by a water purveyor [without the
written consent of the water purveyor. If consent is not
obtained and]. If the distance restriction would deprive the
owner of the oil and gas rights of the right to produce or share
in the oil or gas underlying the surface tract, the well
operator [shall be granted] may submit a request for a variance
from the distance restriction [upon submission of]. As part of
the variance request, the well operator shall submit a plan
identifying the additional measures, facilities or practices as
prescribed by the department to be employed during well site
construction, drilling and operations. [The variance] If the
department is satisfied that the plan adequately addresses these
additional measures, facilities or practices, the variance shall
be granted and shall include additional terms and conditions
required by the department to ensure safety and protection of
affected persons and property, including insurance, bonding,
indemnification and technical requirements. Notwithstanding
section 3211(e), if a variance request has been submitted, the
department may extend its permit review period for up to 15 days
upon notification to the applicant of the reasons for the
extension.
(b) Limitation.--
(1) No well site may be prepared or well drilled within
100 feet or, in the case of an unconventional well, [300] 750
feet from the [vertical well bore or 100 feet from the edge
of the well site, whichever is greater,] perimeter of the
well pad, measured horizontally from any solid blue lined
stream, spring or body of water as identified on the most
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current 7 1/2 minute topographic quadrangle map of the United
States Geological Survey.
(2) The edge of the disturbed area associated with any
unconventional well site must maintain a [100-foot] 750-foot
setback from the edge of any solid blue lined stream, spring
or body of water as identified on the most current 7 1/2
minute topographic quadrangle map of the United States
Geological Survey.
(3) No unconventional well may be drilled within [300]
750 feet of any wetlands greater than one acre in size, and
the edge of the disturbed area of any well site must maintain
a [100-foot] 750-foot setback from the boundary of the
wetlands.
(3.1) Except as provided under paragraph (3.2), no
unconventional well or related unconventional drilling
infrastructure shall be located within 2,500 feet of a
building, water well or water supply.
(3.2) No unconventional well or related unconventional
drilling infrastructure shall be located within 5,000 feet of
a school, hospital, long-term care facility, child-care
facility or facility that houses or serves individuals with
intellectual or developmental disabilities.
(4) The department [shall] may not waive the distance
restrictions [upon submission of a plan identifying
additional measures, facilities or practices to be employed
during well site construction, drilling and operations
necessary to protect the waters of this Commonwealth. The
waiver, if granted, shall include additional terms and
conditions required by the department necessary to protect
the waters of this Commonwealth. Notwithstanding section
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3211(e), if a waiver request has been submitted, the
department may extend its permit review period for up to 15
days upon notification to the applicant of the reasons for
the extension].
* * *
(h) Defini