House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	March 24, 2015 04:55 PM
From:	Representative Cris Dush
To:	All House members
Subject:	Disposal Wells for Brine Water

As you may know, brine water produced through oil and gas operations can be disposed in injection wells, where the fluids are pumped deep into the earth, usually into depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Disposal wells are generally regulated in Pennsylvania by our federal government as Class II D wells and permitted by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. Although these wells have been used safely for decades, and PA is home to only a handful of such sites, the growth of the natural gas industry here in recent years has been met with a greater need for managing brine as well as new reservations regarding the use of disposal wells. Moreover, with better wastewater treatment and recycling techniques, we have the ability to manage this waste without jeopardizing our groundwater resources. And, as our Department of Environmental Protection must also issue well permits for these operations, we have the ability to bar disposal wells, encourage innovative wastewater treatment and recycling, and ensure the protection of our environment in this regard. Accordingly, in the near future, I will introduce legislation prohibiting new permits for Class II D disposal wells in the Commonwealth. I would appreciate your support of this initiative by cosponsoring this legislation. Thank you. CD:JL:cmc
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