American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania Warns House Bill 1946 Essentially Bans New Natural Gas Development, Harms Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, PA, November 14, 2025 — The American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania (API PA) has released a letter to the Pennsylvania House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee expressing strong opposition to House Bill 1946, which would impose stricter new setbacks for natural gas wells in the state. The committee is expected to hear testimony regarding the bill on Monday, Nov. 17 in Harrisburg.
“Make no mistake, this proposal is a de facto ban on natural gas development in Pennsylvania,” said API PA Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman. “Our industry is producing natural gas safer and more efficiently than ever before - advancing best practices and following the state’s robust regulatory framework, including current setbacks, while providing affordable, reliable energy, generating billions of dollars for our economy and supporting 400,000 jobs for Pennsylvanians.”
In the letter, API PA pointed out that “an increased setback of 2,500 feet would prohibit production from an area 25 times larger than our current protected areas.”
Act 13 of 2012 established proper setback distances in Pennsylvania. Other state statutes, such as the Clean Streams Law, the Air Pollution Control Act and the Waste Management Act, also apply to the natural gas industry, as well as state Department of Environmental Protection requirements for both surface and subsurface activities.
Restricting access to Pennsylvania natural gas could also impact energy affordability and reliability for consumers, considering more than half of Pennsylvania’s electric power flows from natural gas-fired power plants.
“Not only is Pennsylvania natural gas helping to meet the surging demand for electricity, but it is also produced under some of the strictest standards and safety protocols in the world,” said Wissman. “Simply put, this proposal would harm Pennsylvania.”
The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
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