Deputy Secretary J. Scott Roberts said that:
- 2,510 oil and gas drilling permits have been issued so far this year.
- Between January and April, DEP conducted 3,300 drilling site inspections, found 537 violations, and investigated 230 complaints.
- Most of the violations were for improper or incomplete erosion and sedimentation control plans. There were also about 70 violations for unauthorized discharges of wastewater, about 50 violations for improper signage, and about 40 drill pit violations.
Mr. Roberts also said that of the four new field inspectors being hired by the department this year, three will be located in the northeastern part of the state, particularly between Lycoming and Wayne counties.
