PRINTER'S NO. 747
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
696
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY MATZIE, RAVENSTAHL, D. COSTA, FREEMAN AND
DONATUCCI, MARCH 3, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
MARCH 3, 2017
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 to read:
ยง 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 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] 2,000
feet measured horizontally from the vertical well bore to any
existing water well, surface water intake[, reservoir] or
[other] water supply extraction point used by a water purveyor
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without the written consent of the water purveyor.
Unconventional gas wells may not be drilled within 4,000 feet
measured horizontally from any existing dam or 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.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20170HB0696PN0747 - 2 -
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