Merrion Oil & Gas
What's New
On April 26, 2021, Merrion Oil & Gas formally withdrew all pending permit applications related to the proposed unconventional gas well development on U.S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant property.
On December 8, 2020, DEP sent a letter to Merrion Oil & Gas notifying the company that the department is suspending its review of the pending well permit and ESCGP-3 applications unless and until Merrion obtains appropriate zoning approval.
Merrion Oil & Gas is proposing to drill and operate an unconventional gas well site on U.S. Steel's Edgar Thomson Plant property. The property is located primarily in North Versailles Township, but also includes East Pittsburgh and North Braddock Borough, all in Allegheny County. This project requires approvals and permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and may require permitting or approvals from the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) which oversees air quality issues in Allegheny County.
The project involves construction of an unconventional gas well pad, two access roads, and five freshwater storage tanks. Additionally, Merrion Oil and Gas Corporation intends to construct a 2,770 ft natural gas pipeline and a 2,990 ft freshwater pipeline. The proposed project area is located on property owned by US Steel at the Mon Valley Works Edgar Thompson Steel Plant, which would be the sole consumer of the natural gas extracted. A portion of the site will discharge stormwater to the North Braddock Borough MS4 Storm Sewer System along Braddock Ave. Other portions of the site will discharge or have the potential to discharge stormwater to Turtle Creek and unnamed tributary (T64495) to Turtle Creek (WWF, Siltation-Impaired, TMDL-impaired (metals, pH)). Total Disturbed Area is 13.4 acres.
This web page has been created to house and share materials and updates from DEP.
Erosion and Sediment Control (ESP070218-001)
On January 24, 2020, DEP issued a second technical deficiency to Merrion Oil & Gas.
On July 26, 2019, DEP issued a technical deficiency to Merrion Oil & Gas.
On February 26, 2019, DEP sent a letter to Merrion Oil & Gas indicating receipt of permit application materials. DEP has determined that materials originally submitted as an Individual (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) NPDES Permit application should instead be evaluated for authorization under an Erosion and Sediment Control (E & S) Permit for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing, or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities. DEP has deemed this application administratively complete and is conducting a technical review.
Public notice to this effect was published in the March 2, 2019 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Utility Line Stream Crossing (GP05020718002)
On March 7, 2019, Merrion Oil & Gas responded to DEP's technical deficiency.
On October 25, 2018, Merrion Oil & Gas responded to DEP's administrative completeness deficiency.
Drill and Operate Well (003-22563)
On June 5, 2019, DEP issued a fourth technical deficiency to Merrion Oil & Gas.
On May 20, 2019, DEP issued a third technical deficiency to Merrion Oil & Gas.
On March 20, 2019, DEP issued a second technical deficiency to Merrion Oil & Gas.
On January 31, 2019, DEP issues a technical deficiency to Merrion Oil & Gas. Merrion addressed the deficiencies by updating their plat, request for variance, and application materials. These materials are available below.