PA DEP Issues Permits and Opens Comment Periods for Major Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has released a series of notices regarding water quality, air emissions, and land remediation for several major oil and gas facilities across the state. Key developments include the issuance of water quality permits for the Appalachian Reliability Natural Gas Pipeline Project and the opening of public comment periods for new freshwater pipelines and air quality permit renewals. These regulatory actions are critical for the continued expansion and maintenance of shale gas infrastructure in the Appalachian Basin, ensuring compliance with state environmental standards.

The DEP officially issued water quality permits to Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. for the Appalachian Reliability Natural Gas Pipeline Project, which spans Armstrong, Greene, and Westmoreland counties. Additionally, the agency is seeking public input on a Chapter 105 permit application from Seneca Resources Co, LLC for a 16-inch shale gas freshwater pipeline in Tioga County that will impact Losey Creek and local wetlands. Other infrastructure movements include the renewal of Title V Air Quality Operating Permits for the Harrison Transmission Station in Potter County and several compressor stations operated by MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources and Peoples Natural Gas.

Environmental remediation efforts saw mixed results in the latest bulletin. The DEP approved Final Reports for soil remediation at shale gas well pads operated by EQT Corporation in Greene County and Expand Operating LLC in Wyoming and Susquehanna counties, confirming these sites meet Statewide Health Standards after contamination by production wastewater. However, the agency disapproved a remediation report from Evergreen Resources Management Operations for the former Philadelphia Refinery, citing a failure to meet Site-Specific Standards for groundwater contaminated with petroleum compounds. So far in 2026, the DEP has processed 112 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas site cleanups.

Regulatory oversight continues with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission scheduling a July 30 hearing for water withdrawal requests, including two specifically tied to shale gas development. In terms of air quality, Range Resources Appalachia received approval for de minimis emission increases at two compressor stations in Washington County, while EQT ARO, LLC was granted a GP-5 General Air Quality Plan Approval for its DCNR Tract 551 pad in Lycoming County. Furthermore, several Chapter 102 permits were issued to operators like Repsol Oil & Gas and PA General Energy for projects impacting high-quality and exceptional-value waterways, highlighting the ongoing balance between industrial activity and watershed protection.