DEP Citizens Advisory Council to Discuss Geothermal Energy and Combined Sewer Overflows

The council will hear presentations on geothermal energy potential and Philadelphia's combined sewer overflow challenges.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:36pm

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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on April 14 to receive updates on geothermal energy development and the status of combined sewer overflows in Philadelphia. The agenda includes presentations from state and industry experts on topics like repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal use and the regulatory landscape for geothermal in other states. The council will also hear from the Philadelphia Water Department on the city's ongoing efforts to address combined sewer overflow issues.

Why it matters

Geothermal energy and combined sewer overflows are two critical environmental issues facing Pennsylvania. The council meeting provides a platform to discuss the potential for geothermal to meet the state's energy needs, as well as the challenges of aging sewer infrastructure in urban areas like Philadelphia. These discussions can help inform policy decisions and drive progress on these important topics.

The details

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council agenda includes several key presentations. Seth Pelepko, DEP's Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, will provide an agency update. Rian Skov from the Washington Department of Natural Resources will discuss that state's geothermal regulatory structure. Eddie Guerra, Senior Vice President at Rizzo International, will present on repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal energy. Finally, Marc Cammarata from the Philadelphia Water Department will give an update on the city's combined sewer overflow challenges.

  • The DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2026.
  • The presentations on geothermal energy and combined sewer overflows will take place during this council meeting.

The players

Seth Pelepko

Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Rian Skov

Deputy Oil and Gas Supervisor at the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Eddie Guerra

Senior Vice President at Rizzo International.

Marc Cammarata

Philadelphia Water Department.

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What they’re saying

“There's been a pretty significant hiring freeze in place given the chaos at the federal level with the budget, and then the state budget impasse this year. Our human resources department has basically locked down any hiring. So, we've got significant vacancies.”

— Kurt Klapkowski

What’s next

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council will make recommendations to the department based on the information presented at the April 14 meeting. The council's findings could influence future policy decisions related to geothermal energy development and combined sewer overflow mitigation efforts in Pennsylvania.

The takeaway

This DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting highlights Pennsylvania's efforts to explore alternative energy sources like geothermal while also addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges like combined sewer overflows in urban areas. The discussions could lead to new initiatives and regulations to support clean energy goals and improve environmental outcomes for communities across the state.