Energy (Oil & Gas)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 1358: An Act amending the act of July 25, 1961 (P.L.825, No.359), known as the Oil and Gas Conservation Law, further providing for drilling permits.

This bill requires oil and gas well operators in Pennsylvania to obtain a specific drilling permit before drilling wells that target the Utica shale formation or reach depths of 3,800 feet or more. The permit application process will follow existing state regulations for resource development, adding a new layer of administrative review for these specific deep-drilling projects. Directly affecting energy companies and land operators, the law mandates compliance with these permitting rules before any drilling begins in the designated geological horizons. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill adds administrative barriers to oil and gas drilling in deep formations, restricting energy production.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 2301: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credits, further providing for definitions and providing for tax credits for critical minerals extraction.

This Pennsylvania bill expands the PA EDGE tax credit program to include companies extracting critical minerals from produced water, which is wastewater from oil and gas wells. The legislation defines "critical minerals" as materials essential for national security and energy systems, and sets a $1 million minimum investment requirement for facilities to qualify for tax credits. To receive the credit, companies must use Pennsylvania-produced water for extraction, hire local workers, and comply with state procurement laws. The Department of Revenue will review applications and approve tax credits for eligible projects that meet all specified criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit program for critical minerals extraction, promoting economic development and fiscal incentives for local businesses while utilizing produced water resources.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes critical minerals extraction from produced water, supporting energy infrastructure and national security needs through tax incentives.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill incentivizes extraction of critical minerals from produced water, which could increase industrial activity and potential environmental impacts from wastewater use and extraction processes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2333: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for responsible utility customer protection.

This bill creates a new chapter in Pennsylvania's public utilities laws focused on protecting responsible customers from financial harm caused by others' unpaid bills. It establishes clearer rules for how utilities handle security deposits, payment arrangements, and service termination while requiring utilities to report on delinquent accounts and public assistance recipients. The legislation also introduces specific definitions for creditworthiness and income changes, mandates automatic meter readings, and provides additional collection tools for city natural gas distribution operations to improve their financial stability.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects utility customers from financial harm due to unpaid bills, ensuring fair treatment and access to essential energy services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2410: An Act making appropriations from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

This bill allocates state and federal funding to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support its operations and regulatory activities. It provides $98.1 million from state funds and $5.383 million in federal funds specifically for salaries, administrative expenses, and the enforcement of natural gas pipeline safety regulations. The legislation ensures that federal funds received by the commission cannot be reimbursed by utility companies, while the funding takes effect on July 1, 2026, or immediately if that date arrives later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $98.1M in state funding to support Public Utility Commission operations and regulatory activities, directly advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides funding to the Public Utility Commission for operational expenses and pipeline safety enforcement, supporting energy infrastructure regulation and consumer protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 9, 2026

SB 1131: An Act providing for geothermal energy development; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; promulgating regulations; establishing the Geothermal Energy Development Fund; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania. It creates the Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support projects, requires the Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate regulations for geothermal operations, and defines key terms like "geothermal resource" and "geothermal well." The law directly affects developers seeking to extract geothermal energy (heat from the earth), landowners with geothermal resources, and the Department of Environmental Protection, which gains new duties to oversee projects. Key provisions include requiring permits for geothermal projects, setting liability rules for well operators, and imposing civil penalties for violations of the regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Geothermal Energy Development Fund, creates regulatory framework for geothermal projects, and mandates DEP regulations - directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support clean energy projects and establishes DEP regulations for environmental oversight during geothermal development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 1129: An Act amending the act of December 10, 1974 (P.L.852, No.287), referred to as the Underground Utility Line Protection Law, further providing for definitions.

SB 1129 amends Pennsylvania's Underground Utility Line Protection Law by updating the definition of "line" or "facility" to explicitly include unconventional oil and gas well production lines, gathering lines, and steam pipelines in public rights-of-way. It clarifies that these additions apply regardless of land ownership or easements, while specifying that stripper well lines are excluded unless they meet specific federal pipeline safety standards. The bill directly affects utility companies, construction crews, and excavation workers who must follow damage prevention rules for underground infrastructure. This definition update ensures clearer coverage for modern utility systems during excavation projects.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly includes oil/gas infrastructure in utility protections, favoring fossil fuel development over renewable energy initiatives per its definition updates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 2076: An Act providing for geothermal energy development; imposing duties on the Department of Environmental Protection; promulgating regulations; establishing the Geothermal Energy Development Fund; and imposing penalties.

HB 2076 establishes a regulatory framework for geothermal energy development in Pennsylvania, requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create rules for project approvals, environmental safeguards, and well operations. The bill creates a Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support industry growth and imposes civil penalties for violations of the new regulations. It directly affects geothermal developers (who must comply with DEP rules) and the DEP (which must implement the regulations). Key provisions include defining geothermal resources, setting standards for well operations, and ensuring environmental protections for projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Geothermal Energy Development Fund to support industry growth and creates regulatory framework for geothermal development, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and production.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes geothermal energy development with DEP environmental safeguards and a fund, advancing clean energy goals while requiring environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 514: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, providing for brine.

HB 514 allows Pennsylvania municipalities to spread saltwater brine (a byproduct of oil/gas drilling) on local roads for dust control or road stabilization, but only from wells that are *not* unconventional (like fracking sites). Municipalities can also delegate this task to others under their direct supervision. The bill prohibits state agencies from requiring additional approvals for this use, while requiring brine spreading to stay at least 150 feet away from all water bodies. This directly affects local governments managing roads and operators of conventional oil/gas wells. The law takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill facilitates oil/gas byproduct use for conventional wells, strengthening fossil fuel energy production operations.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables brine use for road stabilization/dust control, directly improving road infrastructure maintenance under transportation topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 286: An Act making appropriations from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

SB 286 provides $95.3 million in state funds and specific federal funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) for its 2025-2026 operations. It allocates state funds for the PUC’s general salaries and administration, plus $4.7 million for natural gas pipeline safety enforcement, $500,000 for motor carrier safety, and $2.5 million for an energy transmission program under the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill ensures these federal funds cannot be reimbursed to utility companies. It directly affects the PUC’s ability to regulate utilities and enforce safety rules during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $95.3M in state/federal funds to PUC for operations, safety enforcement, and energy programs, strengthening public utility oversight funding within state budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $2.5M for energy transmission program under Inflation Reduction Act, directly funding clean energy infrastructure as part of federal climate initiative.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $2.5M for Inflation Reduction Act energy transmission program and $4.7M for natural gas pipeline safety, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $500K for motor carrier safety (vehicle regulations) and $4.7M for pipeline safety, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 347: An Act providing for the leasing of subsurface rights on State forest and park property for oil and natural gas development; establishing a restricted account within the Oil and Gas Lease Fund; making an appropriation; and abrogating an executive order and other orders and administrative policies.

HB 347 allows oil and gas companies to lease subsurface rights beneath Pennsylvania's state forests and parks for drilling, provided the drilling originates outside these areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) must review applications, with disapproval possible for environmental violations or projects causing significant harm, and companies can appeal denials to court. All lease revenue goes into the Oil and Gas Lease Fund, with upfront payments specifically directed to a restricted account funding stream maintenance and clearing projects. The bill also cancels prior executive orders and policies restricting such leasing on state lands.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly authorizes oil/gas drilling on state lands, directs lease revenue to oil/gas fund, and enables fossil fuel development without restrictions on the industry.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnables oil/gas drilling in state forests/parks, prioritizing industry over conservation despite limited environmental review requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track