PCPG Achievements

Founded in 1989, our foremost goal was to achieve professional licensing for geologists in Pennsylvania.  Licensure became effective in 1992, and our mission then focused on advancing the practice and the success of our members through our professional development courses and advocacy for the profession.  In 2007, PCPG membership was opened to the allied environmental scientists and earth resource professionals that work side by side with the Professional Geologist.  Future challenges and opportunities include complying with mandatory continuing education requirements and the Marcellus Shale Play.

A look at PCPG history reveals what we can accomplish in the future:

• Founded as a non-profit corporation on July 12, 1989, PCPG lobbied for the approval of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to license geologists as professionals.
• Under Act 151, licensure became a reality on December 16, 1992 because of PCPG's active and passionate efforts on behalf of all of Pennsylvania's geologists.
• In 1993, PCPG secured the appointment of the first Professional Geologist to serve on the State Board of Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
• Lobbying efforts by PCPG helped secure enactment of Pennsylvania's Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2 of 1995) to promote the use of sound science and objective, risk-based remediation criteria, and to facilitate Brownfield redevelopment.
• A statewide risk management seminar for the Cleanup Standards Advisory Board was co-sponsored by PCPG to assist the PADEP and the Environmental Quality Board with developing statewide health standards needed to implement Act 2.
• On April 13, 1996, the Pennsylvania Bulletin published guidance developed by PCPG and the PADEP on the use of the Professional Geologist Seal on permit applications, professional reports, and other submissions in the Commonwealth.
• Act 139 of 1997 began at PCPG's urging to repeal State copyright requirements effectively making publication of PA Geologic Survey reports easier, quicker, and more cost effective.  One of the results of this legislation is the much-used web version of Map 61.
• For the first time, Geologic Consulting Services became a distinct professional design service for which the State can contractually procure because of PCPG efforts to amend Pennsylvania's Procurement Code (Act 57 of 1998).
• PCPG was successful in having Professional Geologists appointed to the six Regional Water Committees established under the Water Resources Planning Act of 2002 (Act 220 of 2002).
• During 2006, PCPG launched a successful member-driven, grass-roots initiative, which defeated a proposed sales tax on professional consulting services as part of the Property Tax Relief Measure.
• In 2007, PCPG opened its membership to individual geologists and allied environmental and earth resource professionals.
• In 2009, PCPG was successful in having Geologist-In-Training provisions added to a draft amendment of the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, 63 P.S. / 148 et seq.
• In March 2010, PCPG published a position statement on the responsible development of the Marcellus Shale gas play.  Additionally, PCPG has been outspoken in support of, and continues to be an advocate for the use of, Professional Geologists in the accomplishment of such tasks as Marcellus Shale exploration and development.

PCPG Representation on Advisory Committees

Over the years, PCPG has secured appointment of its members to advisory committees including the following:

• PADEP Storage Tanks Advisory Committee
• PADEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee
• PADEP Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee
• PADCNR State Geological Survey Advisory Committee
• Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board and Subcommittees
• US Department of the Interior National Geological Mapping Advisory Committee

PCPG welcomes your membership, participation, and involvement in helping to grow and advance our value to the regulatory, commercial, and scientific betterment of our society.