Oil and Gas Well Permit Application Modifications [38 Pa.B. 4680]
[Saturday, August 23, 2008]The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) announces modifications to the requirements for and application processing of Oil and Gas Well Development Permit applications.
Effective August 23, 2008, applicants for Marcellus Shale Gas Well Development in the Commonwealth are required to submit a Permit Application Addendum in addition to their permit application for Gas Well Development. The addendum is designed to assist the applicant in completing the water management plan associated with the development of Marcellus Shale Gas Wells. The complete permit application, including the addendum for Marcellus Shale Gas Well Development, is available on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keywords: Gas and Oil Wells).
In addition, the permit processing times for Oil and Gas Well Permits, as specified in Technical Guidance document no. 013-2000-001: Policy for Implementing the DEP Money-Back Guarantee Permit Review Program and Guide to DEP Permits and Other Authorizations are hereby revised. Effective August 23, 2008, the standardized processing times for Oil and Gas Well Development permits is revised to 45 days. This revision is made to make the processing time frame for Oil and Gas Well Development permits consistent with the allotted time established in section 201(e) of the Oil and Gas Act (58 P. S. § 601.201(e)). This revised processing time frame will be recognized by the Department as part of its established Money-Back Guarantee Permit Review Program. The program, established in response to Executive Order 1995-5, establishes processing times for certain permits to demonstrate the Department's commitment to providing timely permit decisions. If the Department fails to meet the processing times, the Department will refund the permit processing fee to the permit applicant. The permit applicant, similarly, is responsible for submitting a quality complete application that contains information needed by the Department to make a decision and meets all applicable regulatory requirements.
Questions concerning the permit application and processing time modifications may be directed to Ronald Gilius, Bureau of Oil and Gas Management, (717) 772-2199, rgilius@state.pa.us.
JOSEPH R. POWERS
Acting Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1535. Filed for public inspection August 22, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]
