Natural Gas Industry Expected to Abide by State Environmental Laws, Regulations

June 13 Meeting Will Provide Overview of State's Regulations

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Environmental
Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty advised oil and gas industry
officials today that developing the natural gas resources found in the
Marcellus Shale formation must be done in accordance with the state's
environmental laws and regulations.

The secretary said the state has mobilized its oil and gas inspectors and has
begun inspecting each site currently permitted to drill into the Marcellus
Shale.

"While a great deal of economic opportunity is expected to come from the
development of the Marcellus Shale formation, our department will ensure that
Pennsylvania's natural resources are not sacrificed," said McGinty. "Over the
past week, our inspections have uncovered a number of serious violations that
will adversely impact nearby water resources. These violations need to be
addressed immediately."

Violations observed by inspectors during the past five days included poorly
constructed and over-topping impoundments, inadequate erosion and sediment
controls, improper waste and fluid disposal, and an inability on the part of
site operators to identify the source of water in some impoundments.

DEP and other state agencies and commissions will continue to conduct site
inspections to review procedures and regulations with operators and
land-owners. If violations are found, the agency will issue orders and suspend
operations.

Well operators will be required to present the following information to the
department before well drilling permits will be issued in Pennsylvania:
-- Well type, either vertical or lateral with topographical maps showing
location of wells, laterals and property lines;
-- Size and type of earth disturbances and locations of roads and
pipelines;
-- Preparedness, prevention and contingency plans;
-- Anticipated water withdrawals, locations of withdrawal points, water
management plans to protect surface and groundwater, and appropriate
permits from the Susquehanna or Delaware river basin commissions if
required.
-- Name, location and permit number for treatment facilities where all
waste water including water used for hydro-fracturing, or fracking as
it
is more commonly known, will be taken for treatment or disposal; and
-- Water obstruction and encroachment permits where well construction,
excavation or operation will affect a stream, wetland or other body of
water.

DEP is scheduling formal conferences with current and prospective gas
exploration and drilling companies to review the state's requirements and to
discuss the proper storage and disposal of fluids, water withdrawals and earth
disturbances as required under the state's Oil and Gas Act, the Clean Streams
Law, and the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act.

On June 13, at 10:30 a.m. in the VIP Lounge at the Farm Show Complex in
Harrisburg, DEP and its partners--the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Susquehanna and
Delaware river basin commissions, and the county conservation districts--will
host current and prospective natural gas exploration operators and owners to
discuss Pennsylvania's oil and gas industry, the industry's future, and the
state's environmental rules and regulations.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Oil and gas.

CONTACT:
Tom Rathbun
(717) 787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Tom Rathbun of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
+1-717-787-1323