Four online sessions to explain Act 13–the state’s new law regulating natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale–are being offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The law, which takes effect April 16, includes
increased setbacks from buildings and waterways; limited development in
floodplains; and increased time and distance provisions in which gas
drillers are presumed liable for water contamination until evidence
proves otherwise, among other things, according to the DEP.

It also requires gas drilling companies to register their
hydraulic fracturing fluid ingredients with FracFocus.org, a website
created by the Ground Water Protection Council and Interstate Oil and
Gas Compact Commission to make such information accessible to the
public.

PADEP Act 13 webinar schedule

March 27 – General
overview of Act
April 3 – Permitting and notifications
April 10 – Environmental protection and enhancement
April 17- Inspections and enforcement

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The sessions, which will begin at 1 p.m., will be presented live
through Cisco WebEx software. There is a maximum of 500 attendees to
each session due to technological limitations. DEP will post recordings
of the presentations on its website.

For more information and to register for the sessions, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click the “Act 13” button on the homepage.