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Home>News & Events>Marcellus Shale Lecture Leads to Lively Discussion

Marcellus Shale Lecture Leads to Lively Discussion

By Dena Sher, Associate Editor December 1, 2011
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A lively discussion followed Dr. Paul King’s lecture on the Marcellus Shale at Valley Green Inn on November 9. The lecture was part of the Friends of the Wissahickon lecture series, Valley Talks, sponsored by Valley Green Bank. Dr. King is President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), a non-profit organization concerned with the science, law, and policy of fracking since 2009. His opening statement synthesized the issues involved: “Marcellus Shale presents an extraordinary economic opportunity and environmental challenge.”

Marcellus Shale, a layer of marine sedimentary rock rich in natural gas, extends beneath the surface of three states: Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Fracking requires the blasting of a combination of water and toxic chemicals, some radioactive, into the rock to free the trapped gas. The process takes place 5,000 to 9,000 feet beneath land surface, which is below the usual level of water aquifers at 500 to 1000 feet. Nevertheless, there is an ever-present danger of leakage of chemicals and gases into the water.

Companies must find a way of disposing of the millions of gallons of wastewater produced by fracking. They contract with communities to “dump” it into their sewage and water treatment plants, which often lack methods for complete removal of the toxic chemicals.

Fracking is regulated at the state level rather than the federal. Currently, it is exempt from the U.S. Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Superfund Law, and Water treatment laws.

Enactment of regulatory legislation at the state level is crucial, and this is where PEC could play an important role. Already, the water supply of homes in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, has been contaminated by methane leaking into their drinking wells. The Cabot Oil and Gas Company illegally drilled within 1,000 feet of their houses and is paying for clean drinking water to be trucked to their homes.

In May 2011, PEC offered proposals to the Pennsylvania legislature which included: comprehensive changes to the drill site assessment and permitting process; enhancement of the protection of and reporting of activity at the sites; concern with best management practices; and enforcement of financial assurances requiring the setting aside of enough money for site clean-up. Dr. King also spoke of taking the long view of fracking activities, which must be considered, such as cumulative impacts and regional planning. In conclusion, he stated “PEC supports drilling if public health and the environment are protected.” A large and very concerned audience debated whether a moratorium on fracking in Pennsylvania should be enforced until more regulation is in place. One audience member maintained that this was unlikely, stating that it was up to the public to pressure the state legislature into enacting controls of the rapidly growing fracking industry.

Sources:
Marcellus Shale Lease Guide, Natural Gas Drilling Lease, Pennsylvania Gas Lease. Web. 13 Dec. 2011.
www.pagreenlease.org/.
Pennsylvania Environmental Council | PEC’s Marcellus Shale Work. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. marcellus.pecpa.org/.
Save the Delaware River. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. savethedelaware.wordpress.com.

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