Oil Change International
Some good news—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued important rules to address air pollution from natural gas drilling, primarily fracking.
Less good news—Bending to pressure from Big Oil, the measures won’t go into effect until 2015.
The regulations will require that new wells capture certain smog-forming compounds, as well as methane, which is a highly potent greenhouse gas. The leakage of large quantities of methane is the reason fracked gas has been cited as potentially being worse for climate change than burning coal. Capture will happen through a process known as “green completions.” These primarily occur during the “flow back” period, when fracking chemicals and water injected into the ground return to the surface along with newly-released gas.
It’s a good move for the industry as well as the public. The EPA has estimated that companies may make as much as $11-$19 million/year from selling the captured gas.
Critics contend the regulations have disturbing loopholes. For example, existing facilities can still release up to 1 ton of benzene per year from specific equipment.
We must also remember that air pollution is just one of several concerns with fracking. The chemicals used during the process have the potential to devastate local water supplies. Yet fracking is still exempt from the Safe Water Drinking Act.
Most disturbingly, the measures take effect on Jan. 1, 2015—two and a half years from now. Although the EPA proposed implementing the safeguards in as little as 60 days, the industry pushed back, claiming there wasn’t enough equipment on the market to enable them to make the change. Companies are allowed to continue flaring the gases until then, and there are incentives for adopting the measures early.
Two and a half years is a virtual lifetime in the fracking world. Consider the case of Ohio, one of the hotbeds of the fracking boom. In 2009, the state issued one fracking permit. In 2010, it issued two. In 2011, it issued 42 permits, 27 of which were issued between July and September. The Ohio Oil and Gas Association expects that by 2015, the state will have gained at least $14 billion in income.
All of this considered, giving the industry a 2.5 year window to adopt to the new regulations doesn’t add up. The natural gas boom, and fracking in particular, is a hugely profitable enterprise, expanding at a rapid pace. Our ability to regulate the very clear impacts on communities and the environment should proceed just as quickly.
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another reason to use gas frac technology,no water used therefore no flowback and the engines are power by lpg rather than diesel fuel.
i should add that trucking is reduced by over 80% with less weight per load
I would find it humorous to see all these “learned” people give their “scientific” reasons to support fracking.
Except for one reason: Fracking is FOREVER.
Can any of these pseudo intellectuals tell us with any idea at all what will happen to the environment after Fracking?
What part of NO do they refuse to understand?
Why is Ohio trying to pass a law making it illegal to disclose to the general public what chemicals are being used in the fracking process? Do you smell big oil money in the Ohio legislature?
When we all are drinking distilled water at more than the cost of gasoline for our cars, will “Gee we’re sorry, we didn’t think that would happen” be a good enough answer for you?
It may be too late for the High Plains Aquifer which connects Western Kansas to 7 other states.
My guess is that the Fracking in Colorado feeds into this Aquifer which also connects to the Ogallala and Ozark aquifers. These are all hydrologically connected meaning those in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Eastern Texas are sharing the same dipper. Parts of West Texas are already inhabitable, along with parts of Wyoming, I am told by the ranchers whose children cannot drink the water.
My comment to Bj. I think you meant UNinhabitable in your diatribe against fracking.
I understand you got kicked out of English class in high school because you said, “I have never been to England, why do you want to teach a foreign language to me.”
I think I understand: Why let expertise in anything be a substitute for knowing what is right.
Love our Children by at least protecting their future and their health.