Legislation introduced to increase setbacks for unconventional oil and gas wells
Rep. Greg Vitali October 14, 2025 | 3:31 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 14 – PA state Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, has introduced legislation (H.B. 1946) that would increase the current setback distances for unconventional oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania.
“Current setback distances allow for drilling way too close to homes, schools, hospitals, drinking water supplies and other things, putting public health and the environment at risk,” said Vitali, who serves as majority chairman of the state House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee.
“Well pads emit methane, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, which are injurious to human health. Well pads also periodically spill produced water containing chemicals that contaminate our waterways.”
Currently, unconventional wells are prohibited from being drilled within 500 feet of any building, 1,000 feet of any drinking water source and 300 feet of any natural body of water. Vitali’s bill would establish greater setback distances as follows:
- 2,500 feet from any building.
- 5,000 feet from any school, hospital or long-term care facility.
- 2,500 feet from any drinking water source, including water wells, surface water intakes or reservoirs.
- 750 feet from any natural body of water, including streams, springs and wetlands.
Unconventional gas wells target natural gas trapped in shale formations using techniques such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
The increased setback requirements in H.B. 1946 are consistent with recommendations from the 2020 43rd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury Report on the shale gas industry.