Pennsylvania’s oil and gas regulators are expected to unveil a voluntary program that’s taken years to develop and is aimed at encouraging fracking and pipeline companies to reduce their environmental impact beyond standard requirements, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The suit of voluntary compliances includes minimizing noise, plugging abandoned oil wells, powering equipment with renewable energy, improving water quality in historically polluted streams and planting trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Those that participate in the program will be rewarded by having their future permit applications moved to the top of the stack for review.

However, the oil and gas industry seems uninspired by the initiative believing the incentive of a prioritized review process doesn’t offset the effort required to meet the program’s requirements.

Learn more: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette > Gas industry pans permit program meant to encourage extra environmental stewardship