by Pennsylvania, the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer, is facing growing criticism for underfunding its oversight of the oil and gas industry.
With increasing numbers of abandoned wells and underreported drilling activity, state leaders are being urged to allocate more resources to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the upcoming 2025 budget.
What Happened
Environmental advocates and lawmakers are raising alarms over Pennsylvania’s lack of regulation in the oil and gas sector.
Rep. Greg Vitali, chair of the House Environmental Committee, is calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly to increase staffing and oversight in the DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.
Key Details
Pennsylvania currently oversees more than 120,000 active oil and gas wells.
There may also be as many as 560,000 abandoned or orphaned wells still unaccounted for.
Since 2022, the DEP reports that over 1,100 wells may have been illegally abandoned.
Wells left unattended can leak methane and contaminate soil, groundwater, and nearby homes.
A 2022 DEP report highlighted ongoing non-compliance among conventional drillers, including failure to report well activity and illegal wastewater dumping.
Reactions or Statements
DEP officials warn that abandoned wells pose serious public health and environmental risks.
“Wells that are improperly abandoned may pose environmental and public health and safety threats,” said the head of DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.
The program’s workforce has dropped from 226 employees in 2015 to just 190 today, despite a growing number of wells.
In legislative testimony, DEP leadership said enhanced enforcement will require at least 36 additional positions to restore oversight capacity.
Investigation or What’s Next
Governor Shapiro’s current budget proposal does not include additional positions for DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.
Lawmakers have until June to pass the state budget.
Environmental advocates are pressing for the restoration of full staffing levels to improve oversight and enforcement.
FAQs
Why are abandoned wells dangerous?
They can leak methane, contaminate water sources, and emit toxic substances harmful to health.
How many wells are potentially abandoned in PA?
Up to 560,000 may be orphaned or abandoned, with over 1,100 confirmed since 2022.
What substances are found in illegally dumped drilling wastewater?
Radium 226 and 228, salts, heavy metals like lead, zinc, and barium, among others.
What is the current DEP staffing level?
190 positions, down from 226 in 2015, despite increased drilling activity.
Is the state taking action?
About 300 wells have been plugged under the Shapiro administration, but abandonment outpaces these efforts.
Summary / Final Takeaway
Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry continues to grow, but regulation has not kept pace.
With widespread abandonment of wells and ongoing illegal dumping, state leaders are under pressure to act.
Funding and staffing the DEP’s Oil and Gas Program is seen as a critical step in protecting public health and the environment in 2025 and beyond.
