Bill > HB42

This bill establishes the Well Operation Response Team Act, which requires oil and gas well operators to create and maintain specialized emergency response teams. The bill defines key terms such as "well," "operator," and "response team," and mandates that the Secretary of Labor and Industry develop regulations within 18 months to ensure these response teams are properly trained and certified. Operators must have a response team available during both exploration/drilling and production phases, with options to form a multiemployer composite team, a commercial team through a third-party vendor, or a state-sponsored team. The response team members must be familiar with well operations, participate in annual training, be certified in first aid and CPR, and be able to respond within one hour of an emergency. Additionally, operators must notify local first responders and the state department within specific timeframes during an emergency, provide communication technology at well sites, and conduct annual training for local first responders about well hazards and emergency response techniques. Operators are also required to file an annual report with the department detailing their response team's composition and affirming compliance with the act. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=42