As part of the previously announced transparency efforts between the Shapiro Administration and CNX Resources Corporation, the Pennsylvania DEP will begin conducting the most intensive independent study of unconventional gas wells in the nation. CNX will provide DEP with continuous access to one of its well pad sites in Washington County, allowing for in-depth independent monitoring of the air emissions before, during, and after development of the new wells.
“As Attorney General and now as Governor, I have listened to Pennsylvanians concerned about their health and safety – and I am delivering on the promise I made to them to conduct the most robust air monitoring in the country,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “My Administration is setting a new standard for Pennsylvania natural gas to be produced in a responsible, sustainable way and showing how we can bring people together to get things done. We’re going to follow through on our commitment to increase monitoring, improve transparency, and protect the health and safety of our communities while maintaining Pennsylvania’s proud energy legacy and our Commonwealth’s critical role in the nation’s energy economy.”
"This unprecedented access to a future CNX well pad site will provide the most in-depth view of the full spectrum of natural gas development in the nation and serve as a model for future public-private collaboration. Our local communities deserve to know the truth about natural gas development in the form of actual, directly measured, real-time data and this next phase of our historic collaboration aims to further validate the results of our work to date. With over 400,000 site level data points across every phase of development over the course of nearly two years and no ambient air quality exceedances during that period, CNX continues to demonstrate the superiority of site level data versus speculative studies that rely on loose associations. We view our Radical Transparency program as our new normal course of business versus a project with an end date, so we intend to grow the 400,000 data points to 4 million and well beyond," said Nick Deiuliis, President and CEO of CNX Resources Corp. “We welcome this unique opportunity to provide our communities with real time information and our policymakers with the facts and data they need to make well-informed decisions on future energy and environmental public policy in the Commonwealth.”
“Using the information and data we receive from this continuous access, DEP will continue to protect the environment and ensure Pennsylvanians have clean air,” said Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “DEP’s air quality monitoring will be there for all stages of the well – collecting background data before the well is even drilled, and monitoring during the well construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and early production phases.”
In 2023, Governor Shapiro and CNX Resources Corporation President and CEO Nick Deiuliis announced a historic commitment to heighten the company’s operational disclosures in collaboration with state environmental regulators and the public. The commitment, which addresses many of the recommendations of the 43rd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, demonstrates how industry, government, and public advocates can find common ground and collaborate to keep people safe and move Pennsylvania forward.
As part of the collaboration, CNX has provided real-time monitoring at eighteen active natural gas well pads and compressor stations and continues to grow this number as its operational schedule progresses, and has disclosed all chemicals used in its drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes prior to their use. This kind of transparency is helping provide fact-based, comprehensive health information for Pennsylvanians and inform future public policy in the Commonwealth.
DEP has taken immediate action to pursue policy changes mirroring the collaboration, including requiring all Pennsylvania operators to publicly disclose chemicalsthey use in drilling and hydraulic fracturing earlier in the well development process.
The intensive air monitoring study is set to begin today, May 1, marking the start of a multi-year air monitoring campaign designed to comprehensively assess the air emissions of gas well development from construction through production. The initial phase will be the background phase of the air monitoring, where DEP will initially monitor for two air pollutants that are associated with natural gas development – volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particulates (PM2.5) until the construction of the well pad begins in early 2026. VOCs and PM2.5 will be monitored close to the well pad through the duration of the air monitoring project. Air monitoring is likely to be completed in 2029.
Pennsylvania is an all-of-the above energy state – and Governor Shapiro is working to advance our state’s energy future. Earlier this year, Governor Shapiro unveiled his commonsense energy plan – known as the Lightning Plan – which will create jobs, lower costs for consumers, protect Pennsylvania from global instability by building next generation power, and position the Commonwealth to continue to be a national energy leader for decades to come.
The Governor’s energy plan will provide funding for new projects through updated Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) investment and production tax credits, streamline energy project approvals by creating a state energy siting board to cut red tape, and encourage communities to lower utility bills through shared energy resources. Additionally, the plan increases rebates for energy-efficient appliances to help reduce household energy costs. The Lightning Plan will supercharge energy development in the Commonwealth, positioning Pennsylvania to lead the way in clean, reliable, and affordable energy for years to come.
Read more about the Lightning Plan here.
Read more about the historic collaboration between the Shapiro Administration and CNX here.
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