Act 13: Pennsylvania's not-so-spooky guide to Unconventional Gas!
Hey there, fellow Pennsylvanians! Ever heard of Act 13 and wondered if it has something to do with creepy crawlies or maybe rebellious teenagers? Well, fret no more! Act 13 is all about unconventional gas, and no, it's not what your uncle Fred does after a Thanksgiving dinner.
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| What is Act 13 Pennsylvania |
Unconventional Gas?
Imagine this: natural gas trapped deep underground in tight rock formations. That's unconventional gas, and it takes a special technique called hydraulic fracturing (fracking for short) to get it out. Act 13, signed in 2012, is basically the rulebook for this fracking frenzy.
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So, what's the big deal?
Act 13 is a bit of a two-stepper. Here's the rundown:
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- Drilling, drilling, baby! Companies can drill for this unconventional gas, but they gotta follow some strict environmental standards. Think of it as BYOE (Bring Your Own Environmental Expertise).
- Sharing is caring (and profitable!) Local governments get to collect an impact fee from all this drilling. This fancy fee helps them deal with the, well, impact of having a bunch of gas wells around.
But wait, there's more!
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Act 13 also:
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- Sets guidelines for how close wells can be to homes and schools (safety first, folks!).
- Gives communities some say in how drilling happens in their area (because nobody likes a surprise gas well in their backyard).
Act 13: Friend or Foe? ⚖️
This law has been a real head-scratcher for some.
- Pros: More natural gas means more energy independence for Pennsylvania, and that sweet, sweet impact fee helps communities.
- Cons: Fracking can raise concerns about water contamination and air pollution. Plus, some folks just don't like the idea of drilling in their backyards.
The bottom line? Act 13 is a complex law with both benefits and drawbacks.
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How To navigate this Act 13 maze?
Here are some quick tips:
- How to learn more? Check out the PA Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] website (https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/Act13/Pages/default.aspx). They've got the info you need.
- How to get involved? Make your voice heard! Contact your local officials and let them know what you think about drilling in your community.
- How to avoid unconventional gas-related nightmares? Probably lay off the greasy food before bed. Just sayin'.
So there you have it! Act 13, explained in a way that won't put you to sleep (unless you're reading this after a particularly heavy Thanksgiving dinner).
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