An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Radiation Testing Pilot Program.

PRINTER'S NO. 1756
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1501
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, OTTEN,
GUENST, HOHENSTEIN, PROBST, SANCHEZ, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
D. WILLIAMS AND CIRESI, MAY 27, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION, MAY 28, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, establishing the Radiation Testing Pilot Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 58 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 29
RADIATION TESTING PILOT PROGRAM
Sec.
2901. Definitions.
2902. Operation of Radiation Testing Pilot Program.
2903. Powers and duties of department.
2904. Report to General Assembly.
2905. Subsequent actions regarding radiation testing.
§ 2901. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
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context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
the Commonwealth.
"Dosimeter." A device used to measure an individual's
exposure to radiation.
"Operator." A well operator.
"Owner." As defined in section 3203 (relating to
definitions).
"Pilot program." The Radiation Testing Pilot Program
established under section 2902(a) (relating to operation of
Radiation Testing Pilot Program).
"Well." As defined in section 3203.
§ 2902. Operation of Radiation Testing Pilot Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Radiation Testing Pilot Program is
established within the department to:
(1) Improve the detection of potentially radioactive
leachate at well sites.
(2) Protect individuals who work at oil or gas drilling
sites.
(b) Commencement and duration.--The pilot program shall
operate for one full year, beginning January 1 of the year that
begins at least six months after the effective date of this
subsection.
§ 2903. Powers and duties of department.
(a) Guidelines and procedures.--The department shall
establish guidelines and procedures necessary for the
implementation and administration of the pilot program, which
must also include:
(1) The requirement that each individual working at an
oil or gas drilling site shall wear a dosimeter to measure
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and monitor radiation levels.
(2) The requirement that each owner or operator of an
oil or gas drilling site shall report to the department, on a
quarterly basis in the form and manner as determined by the
department, the average radiation level to which individuals
working at the oil or gas drilling site of the owner or
operator are exposed, as detected by a dosimeter worn by the
individuals.
(b) Selection.--The department shall select at least three
oil or gas drilling sites located in this Commonwealth to
participate in the pilot program.
§ 2904. Report to General Assembly.
(a) Issuance.--No later than one year after the commencement
of the pilot program, the department shall issue a report to the
General Assembly on radiation levels measured at oil and gas
drilling sites, which must also include any recommendations to:
(1) Improve radiation safety.
(2) Expand the pilot program or develop a radiation
testing program on a permanent Statewide basis based on the
pilot program.
(b) Submittal.--The department shall submit the report under
subsection (a) to:
(1) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the Senate.
(2) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Energy Committee of the House of Representatives.
(3) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee of
the House of Representatives.
§ 2905. Subsequent actions regarding radiation testing.
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After submitting the report in accordance with section
2904(b) (relating to report to General Assembly), the department
may take actions to expand the pilot program or develop a
radiation testing program on a permanent Statewide basis based
on the pilot program, unless otherwise directed by the General
Assembly.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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