Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 11 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 828 — An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well permits.

Last action — Laid on the table

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

63 added · 70 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of HB 828 adds details about the permit process for multi-well pads, clarifying that operators do not need separate permits for each well drilled within a permitted area, as long as they are drilled before the permit expires. It also specifies that a fee of $2,000 is required with each permit application. These changes are important because they simplify the permitting process, which could encourage more efficient development of oil and natural gas resources, while also establishing a clear fee structure for operators.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
929 PRINTER'S NO.
929 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
1115 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
KELLER, RYAN, ZIMMERMAN, GROVE, STRUZZI, WHEELAND AND MASSER, MARCH 14, 2019 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 26, 2019 AN ACT Amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well permits.
KELLER, RYAN, ZIMMERMAN, GROVE, STRUZZI, WHEELAND AND MASSER, MARCH 14, 2019 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, MARCH 14, 2019 AN ACT Amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well permits.
* * * (a.1) Multi-well pad permit.--An unconventional well operator may apply to the department for a multi-well pad permit under subsections (b), (c) and (e) THIS SECTION for the <-- development of oil or natural gas.
* * * (a.1) Multi-well pad permit.--An unconventional well operator may apply to the department for a multi-well pad permit under subsections (b), (c) and (e) for the development of oil or natural gas.
A person who receives a <-- multi-well pad permit under this subsection shall not be required to obtain a separate well permit under subsection (a) for any unconventional wells drilled or altered within the permitted area that are spud prior to the expiration of the permit.
A person who receives a multi-well pad permit under this subsection shall not be required to obtain a separate well permit under subsection (a) for any unconventional wells drilled or altered within the permitted area that are spud prior to the expiration of the permit.
Deviation of the final subterranean well bore path from the proposed subterranean well bore path, if indicated, on the plat that accompanies the well 20190HB0828PN1115 - 2 - permit application due to geologic, safety, environmental protection, optimal resource extraction or other reasonable consideration shall not constitute a violation.
Deviation of the final subterranean well bore path from the proposed subterranean well bore path, if indicated, on the plat that accompanies the well permit application due to geologic, safety, environmental 20190HB0828PN0929 - 2 - protection, optimal resource extraction or other reasonable consideration shall not constitute a violation.
* * * (i) Expiration.-- (1) Well permits issued for drilling wells under [this <-- chapter] SUBSECTION (A) shall expire one year after issuance <-- OR, IN THE CASE OF AN UNCONVENTIONAL WELL, THE WELL PERMIT <-- APPLICANT MAY SELECT A ONE-YEAR, TWO-YEAR OR THREE-YEAR WELL PERMIT TERM IN THE WELL PERMIT APPLICATION.
* * * (i) Expiration.-- (1) Well permits issued for drilling wells under this chapter shall expire one year after issuance unless operations for drilling the well are commenced within the period and pursued with due diligence or unless the permit is renewed in accordance with regulations of the department.
THE WELL PERMIT SHALL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE SELECTED PERMIT TERM unless operations for drilling the well are commenced within the [period] PERMIT TERM and pursued with due diligence or unless <-- the permit is renewed in accordance with regulations of the department.
If drilling is commenced during the one-year period, the well permit shall remain in force until the well is plugged in accordance with section 3220 (relating to plugging requirements) or the permit is revoked.
If drilling is commenced during the [one-year <-- period] PERMIT TERM AND PURSUED WITH DUE DILIGENCE, the well <-- permit shall remain in force until the well is plugged in accordance with section 3220 (relating to plugging requirements) or the permit is revoked.
(2) The department may establish, by regulation, a <-- multi-year well permit.
(2) The department may establish, by regulation, a multi-year well permit.
20190HB0828PN1115 - 3 -
20190HB0828PN0929 - 3 -
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How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill introduces a multi-well pad permit system and allows for the selection of well permit terms up to three years for unconventional wells, changing the requirements for well permits.

  • Section 3211(i)

    [this chapter] → SUBSECTION (A)

    Clarifies the reference to the specific subsection under which well permits expire.

  • Section 3211(i)(1)

    one year after issuance → one year after issuance OR, IN THE CASE OF AN UNCONVENTIONAL WELL, THE WELL PERMIT APPLICANT MAY SELECT A ONE-YEAR, TWO-YEAR OR THREE-YEAR WELL PERMIT TERM IN THE WELL PERMIT APPLICATION.

    Allows applicants for unconventional wells to choose a permit term of up to three years instead of the fixed one year.

  • Section 3211(i)(1)

    [period] → PERMIT TERM

    Updates the language to refer specifically to the permit term instead of a general period.

  • Section 3211(i)(1)

    [one-year period] → PERMIT TERM AND PURSUED WITH DUE DILIGENCE,

    Specifies that the drilling must commence within the selected permit term.

  • Section 3211(i)(2)

    The department may establish, by regulation, a → The department may establish, by regulation, a multi-year well permit.

    Explicitly allows the establishment of multi-year permits.

Action History

  1. Laid on the table

  2. Removed from table

  3. Laid on the table

  4. First consideration

  5. PN 1115 Reported as amended

  6. PN 0929 Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 26 co-sponsors · 226 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (26)

Not signed on (226)

226 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

environment energy
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 828?
HB 828 is sponsored by Jamie Walsh (Republican), R. Lee James (Republican), Seth Grove, Louis Schmitt, Everett, Saylor, F. Keller, Ryan, Timothy J. O'Neal (Republican), Snyder, Jonathan Fritz (Republican), Ed Neilson (Democratic), Tina Pickett (Republican), Aaron Bernstine (Republican), Millard, Rich Irvin (Republican), Toohil, Gabler, Eric R. Nelson (Republican), Kerry A. Benninghoff (Republican), David H. Zimmerman (Republican), James B. Struzzi (Republican), Wheeland, Masser, Donna Oberlander, George Dunbar, and Aaron Kaufer.
What is the current status of HB 828?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 828?
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