Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
58 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3202 (2026)
Declaration of purpose of chapter.
✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 3202. Declaration of purpose of chapter.
The purposes of this chapter are to:
(1) Permit optimal development of oil and gas resources of this Commonwealth consistent with protection of the health, safety, environment and property of Pennsylvania citizens.
(2) Protect the safety of personnel and facilities employed in coal mining or exploration, development, storage and production of natural gas or oil.
(3) Protect the safety and property rights of persons residing in areas where mining, exploration, development, storage or production occurs.
(4) Protect the natural resources, environmental rights and values secured by the Constitution of Pennsylvania.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13
cases (4 in the last 5 years), 2012–2023 · leading case: Robinson Twp. v. Commonwealth, 83 A.3d 901 (Pa. 2013).
Robinson Twp. v. Commonwealth, 83 A.3d 901 (Pa. 2013). “Regarding Section 3215(b)(4), which the Commonwealth Court also enjoined, the panel explained that the provision lists specific setbacks between a water source and a gas well bore (the physical well bore is the opening in the ground through which gas is extracted and is…”
The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP of PA & Env't Quality Bd. of PA, 193 A.3d 447 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018). “This interpretation is logical when one considers the purpose of Act 13 and the balance that must be struck between oil and gas and environmental interests.”
Robinson Twp. v. Commonwealth, 52 A.3d 463 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012). “58 Pa.C.S. § 3202. However, the interests that justify the exercise the police power in the development of oil and gas operations and zoning are not the same: In Huntley & Huntley, Inc.”
Robinson Twp. v. Commonwealth, 147 A.3d 536 (Pa. 2016). “Act 13 endeavored to accomplish this purpose by effectuating a fundamental transformation of the division and scope of regulatory authority over oil and gas extraction activities between the Commonwealth and its municipal governments.”
Marcellus Shale Coal. v. Dep't of Envtl. Prot. of Pa., 185 A.3d 985 (Pa. 2018). “" 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(1). As a result, here the "public interest" in the enforcement of these new environmental regulations, duly promulgated pursuant to the Agencies' rulemaking authority, is directly aligned with those of the Agencies.”
Roth v. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., 919 F. Supp. 2d 476 (M.D. Penn. 2013). “” 58 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 3202(3). The Plaintiffs presently before the Court reside less than 1,000 feet from the Defendants’ gas wells and allege numerous injuries as a result of the Defendants’ violations of the Oil and Gas Act, thus falling directly within the particular group of…”
The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. Dep't of Env't Prot. of PA & Env't Quality Bd. of PA (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). “” 58 Pa. C.S. § 3202. The Agencies argue that allowing the continued use of centralized impoundments but under heightened standards strikes the balance between optimal development and safety.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP, Aplts. (Pa. 2023). “Act 13’s declaration of purpose, 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(1) (“Permit optimal development of oil and gas resources of this Commonwealth consistent with protection of the health, safety, environment and property of Pennsylvania citizens.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP, Aplts. (Pa. 2018). “” 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(1) (emphasis added). 7 The Agencies further observe that many of the public resources listed in section 3215(c) are located on privately-owned property, including national or state scenic rivers, places identified on federal or state lists of historic places,…”
R. Glahn & D. Gorencel v. DEP (Env't Hearing Bd.) (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2023). “” 58 Pa. C.S. §3202. Article I, section 27 of the Declaration of Rights in the Pennsylvania Constitution (Environmental Rights Amendment) provides: The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of…”
EQT Prod. v. Teska, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “See 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202 (declaration of purpose of chapter).”
Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP, Aplts. (Pa. 2023). “58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(4). Where I differ with the Lead Opinion is that I merely recognize that Section 3215(c) is broader than the ERA, because it clearly contains items that are not, in any sense, natural resources.”
— 58 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3202(1) — 6 cases
Marcellus Shale Coal. v. Dep't of Envtl. Prot. of Pa., 185 A.3d 985 (Pa. 2018). “" 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(1). As a result, here the "public interest" in the enforcement of these new environmental regulations, duly promulgated pursuant to the Agencies' rulemaking authority, is directly aligned with those of the Agencies.”
Robinson Twp. v. Commonwealth, 147 A.3d 536 (Pa. 2016). “Act 13 endeavored to accomplish this purpose by effectuating a fundamental transformation of the division and scope of regulatory authority over oil and gas extraction activities between the Commonwealth and its municipal governments.”
The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP of PA & Env't Quality Bd. of PA, 193 A.3d 447 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018). “This interpretation is logical when one considers the purpose of Act 13 and the balance that must be struck between oil and gas and environmental interests.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP, Aplts. (Pa. 2018). “” 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(1) (emphasis added). 7 The Agencies further observe that many of the public resources listed in section 3215(c) are located on privately-owned property, including national or state scenic rivers, places identified on federal or state lists of historic places,…”
The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. Dep't of Env't Prot. of PA & Env't Quality Bd. of PA (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). “” 58 Pa. C.S. § 3202. The Agencies argue that allowing the continued use of centralized impoundments but under heightened standards strikes the balance between optimal development and safety.”
— 58 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3202(2) — 1 case
The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP of PA & Env't Quality Bd. of PA, 193 A.3d 447 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018). “This interpretation is logical when one considers the purpose of Act 13 and the balance that must be struck between oil and gas and environmental interests.”
— 58 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3202(3) — 2 cases
Roth v. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., 919 F. Supp. 2d 476 (M.D. Penn. 2013). “” 58 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 3202(3). The Plaintiffs presently before the Court reside less than 1,000 feet from the Defendants’ gas wells and allege numerous injuries as a result of the Defendants’ violations of the Oil and Gas Act, thus falling directly within the particular group of…”
Bootes v. Ppp Future Dev., Inc. (W.D. Pa. 2023).
— 58 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3202(4) — 3 cases
The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP of PA & Env't Quality Bd. of PA, 193 A.3d 447 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018). “This interpretation is logical when one considers the purpose of Act 13 and the balance that must be struck between oil and gas and environmental interests.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP, Aplts. (Pa. 2023). “Act 13’s declaration of purpose, 58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(1) (“Permit optimal development of oil and gas resources of this Commonwealth consistent with protection of the health, safety, environment and property of Pennsylvania citizens.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition v. DEP, Aplts. (Pa. 2023). “58 Pa.C.S. § 3202(4). Where I differ with the Lead Opinion is that I merely recognize that Section 3215(c) is broader than the ERA, because it clearly contains items that are not, in any sense, natural resources.”
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