FINAL RULEMAKING (FEB. 3. 2016)
After considering all of the comments received and consulting with the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board and Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee,
the Department has developed the final rulemaking package. The EQB is
currently scheduled to consider the final-form rulemaking for adoption
at a meeting on February 3, 2016. (Please note: this meeting can be
observed remotely online. Please use the following link to access the
meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. on February 3: http://pacast.com/players/live_dep.asp.)
A fact sheet has been developed by the Department to outline the major points of this rulemaking.
The Executive Summary
provides a brief overview of the final rulemaking for the members of
the EQB. This document outlines the purpose of the regulation.
The Annex is the regulatory language that is being changed. This document will be published in its entirety in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to become final and effective.
The Order (referred to as the Preamble in a proposed rulemaking) is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin
with the Annex as an explanation and justification for the regulation.
It articulates how the regulation will improve environmental quality in
the Commonwealth, including the improvement of public health and safety
and the environment. The Order also provides a background of the
regulatory amendments; summaries of significant comments; and
information on benefits, costs, and compliance.
The Comment and Response Document lists the comments submitted during
the comment periods and the Department's response. The Comment and
Response Document for this rulemaking is provided in two parts: one for
the comment period held on the proposed regulation (Dec. 14, 2013 –
March 14, 2014) and one for the comment period held on the draft final
regulation (April 4, 2015 – May 19, 2015). Commentators are identified
by their commentator number in the corresponding commentator list.
The Regulatory Analysis Form (RAF)
includes 30 questions about the regulation and is submitted to IRRC and
the Standing Committees. This document provides justifications for
changes and describes the considerations made by the Department during
the rulemaking process.