State Representative Cris Dush joined in with others in the Pennsylvania House Oil and Gas Caucus to send a letter to the DEP Secretary about a proposed fee increase for unconventional well permits.
The letter says that the application fee for an unconventional gas well permit would go from $5000 to $12,500 if the rulemaking change is accepted. The letter addresses several issues with the proposal. One of which is how long it takes for an unconventional well permit to be approved. The letter stated that in other states, the permit can be applied for and received within a week, but in Pennsylvania, it can take up to 110 days for the gas well permit, and it appears to the caucus that the DEP is happy to maintain status quo. The other concerns voiced in the letter include Statutory Authority on oversight of the gas and oil industry and competing with other states.
The letter is urging the department to keep the lower fee intact.
