DEP Names Seth Pelepko, P.G. Deputy Secretary For Oil & Gas Management

PA Environmental Digest Blog 9.29.25

The Department of Environmental Protection has named Seth Pelepko, a licensed Professional Geologist, as Deputy Secretary for Oil and Gas Management, according to LinkedIn.

Pelepko succeeds Kurt Klapkowski who served in that position since February 2022.

Prior to being named Deputy Secretary, Pelepko worked at UGI Utilities as Program Manager for Sustainability since February 2023, but served in multiple position in the Department of Environmental Protection-

- January 2022 to February 2023 was an Environmental Program Manager in the Bureau of Mining Programs developing budgets to fund environmental reclamation projects,

- February 2015 to January 2022 he was in the Bureau of Oil and Gas Management directed management and scientific staff in delivery of projects aimed at ensuring compliance with all regulations and laws pertinent to exploration, production and well decommissioning activities.

- September 2012 to February 2015 he served as a Professional Geologist Manager in the Bureau of Oil and Gas Management where he directed all data reporting applications, technical guidance and policy development; and training and data management activities related to Pennsylvania's Mechanical Integrity Assessment Program.

- September 2010 to September 2012 where as a licensed Professional Geologist in the Bureau of Oil and Gas Management he supported environmental program and policy discussions relating to subsurface oil and gas activities with internal and external stakeholders and designed and managed technical projects involving stray gas migration, water quality assessments and geological analyses.

- January 2004 to September 2010 he worked in the Materials Testing Division of PennDOT

- May 2001 to January 2004 he was a Geologic Trainee/Geologic Specialist in DEP's Environmental Cleanup Program

- August 2000 to May 2001 he worked as an Environmental Trainee in the Bureau of Air Quality inspecting a wide variety of manufacturing and other industrial/commercial facilities regulated under the Air Quality Program

- June 1998 to August 2000 he was a Geologist for the Tetra Tech, environmental consulting firm.

Pelepko received a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Delaware and a B.S. in Earth Sciences from Penn State University and is a resident of Manheim Township, Lancaster County

Click Here for the LinkedIn announcement. [PDF of Article]

[Posted: September 29, 2025] PA Environment Digest