A new review of oil and gas programs in Virginia details several strengths of agency programs and provides recommendations for continuous improvement.
Conducted by State Review of Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations, Inc. (STRONGER), a national, multi-stakeholder organization that supports state oil and gas environmental regulatory programs, the review examines programs of the Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy (DMME) Division of Gas and Oil (DGO) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Air Division.
The 2016 review is a follow-up to Virginia’s initial review, conducted in 2003. The new review evaluates the DGO’s response to recommendations from the 2003 review as well as its management of other issues such as hydraulic fracturing. The Virginia DEQ Air Division participated in the air quality portion of the review.
In August 2016, a three-person STRONGER review team representing state, environment, and industry stakeholders, comprised of Scott Perry of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and others, conducted the in-state interview portion of the review with DMME and DEQ staff.
To view the report, click here.
