Pennsylvania SB 1083: 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. 1297
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1083
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SANTARSIERO, COMITTA, HUGHES, SCHWANK, KANE AND
COSTA, NOVEMBER 5, 2025
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, NOVEMBER 5, 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) of Title 58 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended and subsection (b) is amended
by adding a paragraph to read:
§ 3215. Well location restrictions.
(a) [General rule] Restrictions.--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 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 vertical well
bore to any existing water well, surface water intake[,
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reservoir] or other water supply extraction point used by a
water purveyor without the written consent of the water purveyor
or within 5,000 feet from a reservoir. If consent is not
obtained and 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 a variance from the distance restriction upon
submission of 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 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.--
* * *
(3.1) No well may be drilled within 5,000 feet of a
school or hospital on or after the effective date of this
paragraph.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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