Op-Ed by Dan Weaver and Todd Pappasergi
Rep. Greg Vitali’s recent attack on MyChesCo.com on Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry misleads readers with outdated stereotypes and ignores the industry’s vital role in our state’s economy. His call for heavy-handed regulations threatens jobs, energy reliability, and Pennsylvania’s chance to lead in the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Let’s set the record straight.
Pennsylvania’s oil and natural gas industries power our state. Natural gas alone supports over 100,000 jobs and generates billions of dollars in revenue for the Commonwealth. Without our conventional natural gas producers, affordable and reliable heat would become scarce for small western Pennsylvania communities that rely on local distribution systems far from the interstate energy infrastructure enjoyed – and often taken for granted – by Rep. Vitali’s southeastern Pennsylvania constituents. Our “Pennsylvania Grade” crude oil, prized for its quality, fuels two local refineries employing over 900 workers and produces essentials like medical equipment, vitamin capsules and toothbrushes. This isn’t just energy – it’s the backbone of our economy.
Right on cue, Rep. Vitali wrongly paints the industry as reckless. Once again, he has improperly blamed the current industry for century-old “orphaned” wells, which were drilled long before modern operations and regulations. These relics, dating back 40-150 years ago, make up almost 95% of nonproducing wells and are not a failure of today’s producers. Abandoned wells, which are nonproducing wells drilled after regulatory changes in 1984, amount to nothing more than a rounding error. In fact, our operators plug more old wells than they drill new ones, showing our commitment to the environment.
Rep. Vitali then doubles down on his vilification by grossly overstating claims about operator noncompliance with DEP reporting rules. In the last decade, only about 10% of operators faced any sort of DEP citation, comparable to traffic tickets or failed restaurant inspections. Does Rep. Vitali demand a state trooper in every car or a health inspector in every restaurant? Then why burden an industry already meeting high standards with even more oversight?
Governor Shapiro has recently, and rightly, complained that he’s tired of Pennsylvania “losing to friggin’ Ohio” and sees our energy as key to attracting AI data centers. Ohio and West Virginia are seizing these opportunities by supporting their energy sectors. Rep. Vitali’s plan for increased and more burdensome regulation plan would slam shut an already closing door on this growth, making Pennsylvania non-competitive for this critical business.
Finally, Rep. Vitali completely ignores the energy deficit Pennsylvania will soon be facing. By 2040, Pennsylvania may encounter an energy shortfall of 80,000 megawatts. That’s almost how much energy is needed to power New York City. Rep. Vitali’s plan to make energy production more difficult not only places Pennsylvania businesses and jobs at risk, but it will put lives in danger by making energy less reliable and more expensive, especially for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens.
Our industry isn’t perfect, but we’re not the villain. Most operators exceed DEP standards, investing in cleaner technology and safer practices. Instead of blanket regulations that crush small businesses, we need smart, targeted enforcement of bad actors and modernized rules that balance growth with environmental care. Pennsylvania can continue lead the nation in energy and innovation, but only if legislators like Rep. Vitali stop pushing policies that send us backward.
Let’s power Pennsylvania’s future, not stall it.
Dan Weaver is President & Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association; Todd Pappasergi serves as General Counsel & Vice President of Governmental Affairs
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