U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy says the federal Environmental Protection Agency should do a better job of communicating with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
At a Natural Gas Caucus hearing, DEP Secretary Michael Krancer said contact from the EPA has been limited to press releases, where the agency expresses its concerns about the enforcement of Marcellus Shale drilling regulations.
Murphy says the EPA has not responded to his communications in months and did not show up at the hearing.
“The EPA feels the need to continue to state that they’re going to do something, and yet we’re not sure what their concerns are,” says Murphy. “So, we did not hear from the EPA. I’m still waiting to hear, from my March question, what concerns they have about any of Pennsylvania’s regulations or enforcement thereof.”
The Republican lawmaker says the DEP is better suited to deal with drilling issues unique to Pennsylvania, and the EPA should bring any concerns straight to the state department.
Showing posts with label Pa DEP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pa DEP. Show all posts
Monday, June 6, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Flow of Fracking Water to Treatment Plants Stopped?
Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection believe that companies drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation have just about stopped shipping chemically-treated waste water to treatment plants. The DEP had said a May 19th deadline for companies to voluntarily stop taking the waste water to the treatment plants that discharge into rivers. The agency says the plants are ill-equipped to remove all the pollutants. Department spokeswoman Katy Gresh says they've confirmed the transport of the fracking water is down to possibly a handful of trucks in the past 2 weeks, and they are trying to determine if those trucks did indeed carry the waste water.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
DEP Fines Marcellus Driller
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has fined Chesapeake Energy more than $1 million for two separate drilling-related incidents. Under a Consent Order and Agreement (COA) Chesapeake will pay the DEP $900,000 for contaminating private water supplies in Bradford County.
At various times during 2010, DEP investigated complaints from residents of Tuscarora, Terry, Monroe, Towanda and Wilmot townships near Chesapeake’s shale drilling operations about contamination of their private water wells. DEP determined that because of improper well casing and cementing in shallow zones, natural gas from non-shale shallow gas formations had experienced gas migration into groundwater and contaminated 16 families’ drinking water supplies.
$200,000 of that amount will be dedicated to the agency's well-plugging fund which is used to mitigate historic and recent gas migration where the source of the gas cannot be determined.
As part of this COA, the company must create a plan, approved by the DEP, that outlines corrective actions, remediates contaminated water supplies, and report water supply complaints to the DEP.
Chesapeake was also fined $188,000 for a February 23 fire at a drilling site in Avella, Washington County. Three subcontractors ate the site were injured when 3 condensate (wet gas) separator tanks caught fire. The DEP investigated and determined the cause was improper handling and management of the condensate. Under this COA, Cheseapeake must submit for approval a management plan for each well site that might produce condensate.
DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said it's important that natural gas drillers take seriously their responsibilities to comply with state regulations and "that their actions do not risk public health and safety or the environment. The water well contamination fine is the largest single penalty DEP has ever assessed against an oil and gas operator, and the Avella tank fire penalty is the largest we could assess under the Oil and Gas Act."
“We worked in coordination, in cooperation, with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, from that moment, to try and assess what the situation was, and what actions needed to be taken to address the situation and correct the problem,” said company spokesman Matt Sheppard. “And we’ve done that with enhanced casing and cementing program.” While Chesapeake is cooperating, the company hasn’t admitted to causing the Bradford County water well problems. Its statement calls a joint company and DEP investigation of the contaminations “inconclusive.”
At various times during 2010, DEP investigated complaints from residents of Tuscarora, Terry, Monroe, Towanda and Wilmot townships near Chesapeake’s shale drilling operations about contamination of their private water wells. DEP determined that because of improper well casing and cementing in shallow zones, natural gas from non-shale shallow gas formations had experienced gas migration into groundwater and contaminated 16 families’ drinking water supplies.
$200,000 of that amount will be dedicated to the agency's well-plugging fund which is used to mitigate historic and recent gas migration where the source of the gas cannot be determined.
As part of this COA, the company must create a plan, approved by the DEP, that outlines corrective actions, remediates contaminated water supplies, and report water supply complaints to the DEP.
Chesapeake was also fined $188,000 for a February 23 fire at a drilling site in Avella, Washington County. Three subcontractors ate the site were injured when 3 condensate (wet gas) separator tanks caught fire. The DEP investigated and determined the cause was improper handling and management of the condensate. Under this COA, Cheseapeake must submit for approval a management plan for each well site that might produce condensate.
DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said it's important that natural gas drillers take seriously their responsibilities to comply with state regulations and "that their actions do not risk public health and safety or the environment. The water well contamination fine is the largest single penalty DEP has ever assessed against an oil and gas operator, and the Avella tank fire penalty is the largest we could assess under the Oil and Gas Act."
“We worked in coordination, in cooperation, with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, from that moment, to try and assess what the situation was, and what actions needed to be taken to address the situation and correct the problem,” said company spokesman Matt Sheppard. “And we’ve done that with enhanced casing and cementing program.” While Chesapeake is cooperating, the company hasn’t admitted to causing the Bradford County water well problems. Its statement calls a joint company and DEP investigation of the contaminations “inconclusive.”
Saturday, May 14, 2011
DEP Okays Re-start of Fracking
Chesapeake Energy is resuming hydraulic fracturing and other completion operations at its Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale wells.
The company halted drilling at its 105 sites, after a malfunction at Bradford County well on April 19th led to an extended leak of fracking fluid. Thousands of gallons spilled over a two-day time span, though both the company and the Department of Environmental Protection say impact on nearby waterways was minimal. In a release issued Friday afternoon, Chesapeake blamed the spill on a rare technical glitch. “During the [well completion] process, a failure occurred at a valve flange connection to the wellhead, causing fluid to be discharged from the wellhead at high pressure,” the statement read. “An equipment failure of this type is extremely rare in the industry and is the first valve flange failure of this magnitude in more than 15,000 wells Chesapeake has completed since its founding in 1989.”
At the time of the spill, both Chesapeake and the Corbett Administration said the moratorium was voluntary. But the company needed DEP’s permission to resume operations, according to department spokeswoman Katy Gresh. “The deal was that DEP needed to be satisfied with the assurances that Chesapeake provided us before we could authorize them to frack again. And we authorized that today because we are satisfied,” she explained. “In particular, Chesapeake has committed to, in the event they experience a well control incident anywhere in the commonwealth in the future, they will utilize local well control responders. And that was a huge piece that DEP insisted upon.” In April, Chesapeake flew in people from a Texas-based company called “Boots and Coots.”
Chesapeake inspected similar wellheads during its moratorium. “Every wellhead in the review was disassembled, components were studied and pressure tested and reassembled,” the company said. “We are confident that this was an isolated incident and that all wellhead equipment and connections are fully functional and structurally sound. For future operations, Chesapeake has implemented changes in its oversight of the contractors that assemble and test our wellheads. Certification of contract employees will be reviewed more thoroughly and more-extensive documentation for all phases of pressure testing and equipment calibration will be required. In addition to these steps, we are instituting an independent auditing system to serve as an extra layer of oversight in wellhead assembly.”
Company Vice President John K. Reinhart sounded a contrite note in the statement, saying, ““We regret this incident and the inconvenience it has caused to our neighbors and the community. …We understand that operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a privilege. We have learned from this and have taken steps to mitigate the risk of this type of event happening in the future.”
The company -- one of the largest drillers in Pennsylvania – has experienced several high-profile accidents. A February fire at one of Chesapeake’s Washington County wells led Governor Corbett to remove its representative from his Marcellus Shale Commission.
The company halted drilling at its 105 sites, after a malfunction at Bradford County well on April 19th led to an extended leak of fracking fluid. Thousands of gallons spilled over a two-day time span, though both the company and the Department of Environmental Protection say impact on nearby waterways was minimal. In a release issued Friday afternoon, Chesapeake blamed the spill on a rare technical glitch. “During the [well completion] process, a failure occurred at a valve flange connection to the wellhead, causing fluid to be discharged from the wellhead at high pressure,” the statement read. “An equipment failure of this type is extremely rare in the industry and is the first valve flange failure of this magnitude in more than 15,000 wells Chesapeake has completed since its founding in 1989.”
At the time of the spill, both Chesapeake and the Corbett Administration said the moratorium was voluntary. But the company needed DEP’s permission to resume operations, according to department spokeswoman Katy Gresh. “The deal was that DEP needed to be satisfied with the assurances that Chesapeake provided us before we could authorize them to frack again. And we authorized that today because we are satisfied,” she explained. “In particular, Chesapeake has committed to, in the event they experience a well control incident anywhere in the commonwealth in the future, they will utilize local well control responders. And that was a huge piece that DEP insisted upon.” In April, Chesapeake flew in people from a Texas-based company called “Boots and Coots.”
Chesapeake inspected similar wellheads during its moratorium. “Every wellhead in the review was disassembled, components were studied and pressure tested and reassembled,” the company said. “We are confident that this was an isolated incident and that all wellhead equipment and connections are fully functional and structurally sound. For future operations, Chesapeake has implemented changes in its oversight of the contractors that assemble and test our wellheads. Certification of contract employees will be reviewed more thoroughly and more-extensive documentation for all phases of pressure testing and equipment calibration will be required. In addition to these steps, we are instituting an independent auditing system to serve as an extra layer of oversight in wellhead assembly.”
Company Vice President John K. Reinhart sounded a contrite note in the statement, saying, ““We regret this incident and the inconvenience it has caused to our neighbors and the community. …We understand that operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a privilege. We have learned from this and have taken steps to mitigate the risk of this type of event happening in the future.”
The company -- one of the largest drillers in Pennsylvania – has experienced several high-profile accidents. A February fire at one of Chesapeake’s Washington County wells led Governor Corbett to remove its representative from his Marcellus Shale Commission.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Visit to Spill Site
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley will tour the site of natural gas well spill in Bradford County today. The April accident has made some residents of the county a bit more leery about drilling.
Bradford is one of the most active Marcellus Shale drilling counties in Pennsylvania – but last month’s spill at a Chesapeake Energy well in Leroy Township has given some people pause.
Mike Roberts of nearby Ulster says he’s worried about drilling’s impact on the environment.
"Some locals are finding good paying jobs, which is a plus. But then you have disasters like in Leroy this past week. What’s it going to happen – the long-term effect? We don’t know what’s going on yet."
The spill, which leaked tens of thousands of gallons of chemical-laden fluid, has the Corbett Administration’s attention.
In addition to Cawley, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer will tour the area next week.
DEP and the Environmental Protection Agency are both investigating the accident, which led Chesapeake to temporarily suspend hydraulic fracturing within Pennsylvania.
Listen to WDUQ Reporter Scott Detrow's extended story
Bradford is one of the most active Marcellus Shale drilling counties in Pennsylvania – but last month’s spill at a Chesapeake Energy well in Leroy Township has given some people pause.
Mike Roberts of nearby Ulster says he’s worried about drilling’s impact on the environment.
"Some locals are finding good paying jobs, which is a plus. But then you have disasters like in Leroy this past week. What’s it going to happen – the long-term effect? We don’t know what’s going on yet."
The spill, which leaked tens of thousands of gallons of chemical-laden fluid, has the Corbett Administration’s attention.
In addition to Cawley, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer will tour the area next week.
DEP and the Environmental Protection Agency are both investigating the accident, which led Chesapeake to temporarily suspend hydraulic fracturing within Pennsylvania.
Listen to WDUQ Reporter Scott Detrow's extended story
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sierra Club: DEP "Trying to Rewrite History" Over Policy Hubbub
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says a controversial policy change regarding the authority of on-site environmental inspectors to issue citations for violations was never in place. This denial comes after a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the DEP rescinded the directive. The denial does not square with what the department initially said about the policy.
In March, several outlets, including WDUQ-FM, obtained a DEP email telling field inspectors to forward possible Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling violations to Harrisburg, for final approval from Secretary Michael Krancer. The note, written by Executive Deputy Secretary John Hines, read, “Effective immediately, any actions, NOVs and such must get approval of Dana and I with final clearance from Mike [Krancer]. Alisa and Dave are to be cc' on all correspondence related to these actions.
I need to repeat no final actions are to be taken unless approval comes from Dana and I with clearance from Mike [Krancer].”
Department spokeswoman Katy Gresh now says inspectors have maintained their power to issue permits, and the department just wants to keep tabs on what’s being issued where. “Inspectors are going into the field, writing notices of violation, as they have always done. And the regions are offering central office notification of what notices of violation are being issued,” she said Tuesday.
Jeff Schmidt, the director of Pennsylvania’s Sierra Club, doesn’t buy it. He insisted DEP is trying to “re-write history, and goes back to the initial leaked email. “To me, the fact that the executive deputy secretary of DEP referred to his message as a directive makes it clear that they had a policy of requiring NOV approval by Secretary Krancer,” he said.
On March 30th, Gresh had this to say about the new policy: “This effort to bring about consistency will ensure that enforcement actions levied against companies in one region for one activity will be levied against companies in every other region for the same activity.” A few days later, DEP announced the shift would be tested during a three-month trial period.
Schmidt kicked the latest back-and-forth off by releasing a letter Governor Corbett wrote to him, which read, “Inspectors in the field will continue to maintain the same ability to issue notice of violations as they have in the past. DEP remains poised to respond quickly and efficiently to any potential environmental hazard. DEP's goal is to act as one DEP and not as seven DEP's. For this reason, it has been necessary to make minor adjustments to several internal processes to enhance effectiveness. However, none of these adjustments will prevent inspectors from making "in the field" decisions and taking appropriate actions.”
Schmidt believes the department and Corbett Administration shifted course, after facing negative public reaction. Why is keeping final violation approval in inspectors’ hands so important for Schmidt? “By going up the chain and waiting, perhaps for days or weeks, for approval, environmental problems could go unaddressed,” he explained. “Beyond that, there’s also the matter of public record. If a notice of violation is not approved, it never becomes a public document,” he explained.
In March, several outlets, including WDUQ-FM, obtained a DEP email telling field inspectors to forward possible Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling violations to Harrisburg, for final approval from Secretary Michael Krancer. The note, written by Executive Deputy Secretary John Hines, read, “Effective immediately, any actions, NOVs and such must get approval of Dana and I with final clearance from Mike [Krancer]. Alisa and Dave are to be cc' on all correspondence related to these actions.
I need to repeat no final actions are to be taken unless approval comes from Dana and I with clearance from Mike [Krancer].”
Department spokeswoman Katy Gresh now says inspectors have maintained their power to issue permits, and the department just wants to keep tabs on what’s being issued where. “Inspectors are going into the field, writing notices of violation, as they have always done. And the regions are offering central office notification of what notices of violation are being issued,” she said Tuesday.
Jeff Schmidt, the director of Pennsylvania’s Sierra Club, doesn’t buy it. He insisted DEP is trying to “re-write history, and goes back to the initial leaked email. “To me, the fact that the executive deputy secretary of DEP referred to his message as a directive makes it clear that they had a policy of requiring NOV approval by Secretary Krancer,” he said.
On March 30th, Gresh had this to say about the new policy: “This effort to bring about consistency will ensure that enforcement actions levied against companies in one region for one activity will be levied against companies in every other region for the same activity.” A few days later, DEP announced the shift would be tested during a three-month trial period.
Schmidt kicked the latest back-and-forth off by releasing a letter Governor Corbett wrote to him, which read, “Inspectors in the field will continue to maintain the same ability to issue notice of violations as they have in the past. DEP remains poised to respond quickly and efficiently to any potential environmental hazard. DEP's goal is to act as one DEP and not as seven DEP's. For this reason, it has been necessary to make minor adjustments to several internal processes to enhance effectiveness. However, none of these adjustments will prevent inspectors from making "in the field" decisions and taking appropriate actions.”
Schmidt believes the department and Corbett Administration shifted course, after facing negative public reaction. Why is keeping final violation approval in inspectors’ hands so important for Schmidt? “By going up the chain and waiting, perhaps for days or weeks, for approval, environmental problems could go unaddressed,” he explained. “Beyond that, there’s also the matter of public record. If a notice of violation is not approved, it never becomes a public document,” he explained.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
EPA Still Waiting for Info on Marcellus Well Leak
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had wanted Chesapeake Energy to supply information by Tuesday, April 26 on the discharge of thousands of gallons of fracking fluid from a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Bradford County. The chemically-treated wastewater spilled for more than 20 hours before it was contained but not before some flowed across farm fields and into a creek.
E.P.A. spokesman David Sternberg said as of 4 p.m. yesterday, the company had not provided the EPA with the requested information about the fracking fluids used in the drilling process; the water, land and air affected by the release; and, any private well, surface water and soil sampling data collected before and after the April 19 incident.
Sternberg said the company indicated it would provide the data...."We will evaluate this information promptly in consultation with the PA-DEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) and take whatever action is needed to protect public health and the environment."
Sternberg says the agency has directed Chesapeake to provide more extensive information by May 9th regarding the timeline of the incident, source of the discharge, substances placed into or returned from the wells at the site; whether radiological compounds were present in the fracking water or sediment; effects on drinking water supplies; any other leaks, spills or releases at the site; each chemical brought to the site; and, any wastewater storage at the site.
And if the company doesn't comply by May 9th? "It would be premature to comment on potential violations and the potential of future enforcement actions. As a matter of policy, we don't comment on potential enforcement matters until they're filed or initiated."
E.P.A. spokesman David Sternberg said as of 4 p.m. yesterday, the company had not provided the EPA with the requested information about the fracking fluids used in the drilling process; the water, land and air affected by the release; and, any private well, surface water and soil sampling data collected before and after the April 19 incident.
Sternberg said the company indicated it would provide the data...."We will evaluate this information promptly in consultation with the PA-DEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) and take whatever action is needed to protect public health and the environment."
Sternberg says the agency has directed Chesapeake to provide more extensive information by May 9th regarding the timeline of the incident, source of the discharge, substances placed into or returned from the wells at the site; whether radiological compounds were present in the fracking water or sediment; effects on drinking water supplies; any other leaks, spills or releases at the site; each chemical brought to the site; and, any wastewater storage at the site.
And if the company doesn't comply by May 9th? "It would be premature to comment on potential violations and the potential of future enforcement actions. As a matter of policy, we don't comment on potential enforcement matters until they're filed or initiated."
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Chesapeake Stops Fracking During Investigation
Crews are still trying to stop a major fracking fluid leak at a Bradford County natural gas well.
Meantime, Chesapeake Energy is shutting down “completion operations” at its Pennsylvania sites until the company figures out what caused Tuesday’s accident. That includes all hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Dan Spadoni says a Texas company called “Boots and Coots” is leading the cleanup effort.
"They have set up a mechanical system so that they can pump what’s called lost circulation material into the well to plug the leak. They would then pump heavy mud into the well, and they are hopeful the combination will effectively seal the well."
Spadoni says test results on impact of the spill are not complete, but a field check did not show any negative effect on the Susquehanna...
"We have not seen evidence of a fish kill. Obviously the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was notified, and they have been on the scene as well."
Emergency officials initially thought they had capped the leak Wednesday evening, but Spadoni says about a gallon of fracking fluid is still leaking every minute.
Chesapeake Energy says a “limited” amount of natural gas has escaped, as well.
At least two families have been displaced by the spill.
Meantime, Chesapeake Energy is shutting down “completion operations” at its Pennsylvania sites until the company figures out what caused Tuesday’s accident. That includes all hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Dan Spadoni says a Texas company called “Boots and Coots” is leading the cleanup effort.
"They have set up a mechanical system so that they can pump what’s called lost circulation material into the well to plug the leak. They would then pump heavy mud into the well, and they are hopeful the combination will effectively seal the well."
Spadoni says test results on impact of the spill are not complete, but a field check did not show any negative effect on the Susquehanna...
"We have not seen evidence of a fish kill. Obviously the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was notified, and they have been on the scene as well."
Emergency officials initially thought they had capped the leak Wednesday evening, but Spadoni says about a gallon of fracking fluid is still leaking every minute.
Chesapeake Energy says a “limited” amount of natural gas has escaped, as well.
At least two families have been displaced by the spill.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Environmentalists Praise DEP's Decision on Fracking Water
The Corbett Administration is asking natural gas drillers to stop delivering their wastewater to 15 treatment facilities most of which are in western Pennsylvania.
Governor Ed Rendell had allowed the centers, which discharge liquid into waterways, to continue treating hydraulic fracturing fluid under old guidelines, even though Pennsylvania toughened its standards last year. The Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement frames the change as a way to cut back on the amount of bromides in western Pennsylvania waterways. “Recent surface water sampling has found elevated levels of bromide in rivers. …Bromide, itself non-toxic, turns into a combination of potentially unsafe compounds called Total Trihalomethanes once it is combined with chlorine for disinfection at water treatment facilities,” read the DEP statement. Just before the department announced its shift, the Marcellus Shale Coalition admitted drilling wastewater is likely responsible for those increased bromide levels.
The change is earning Corbett rare praise from the environmental groups who have criticized his administration’s regulation of natural gas drilling. “It puts the state back in line with the Clean Water Act, because the simple fact is no one has ever sought a permit to discharge natural gas drilling wastewater,” said Brady Russell, Clean Water Action’s eastern Pennsylvania director. “There is no Clean Water Act exemption there. You have to seek permits for any stream of waste that you’re going to discharge into rivers and streams.” Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of PennFuture, called it “an appropriate response to new information” about bromide levels. “So the only rational response is to absolutely ratchet down on that and try to get it out of the water altogether. And this is a great step in that direction, since publicly owned treatment plants -- sewage treatment plants run by municipalities – aren’t equipped to treat those kinds of substances,” she said.
It’s important to note this is a request, and not an order. DEP spokeswoman Katie Gresh framed it as “a call to action” for drilling companies. She said the agency will reevaluate the situation in 30 days, and may possibly issue an order at that point.
If drilling companies comply with the request, they’ll likely have to recycle or treat more of their fracking fluid on-site, or truck it out to centers that can treat the fluid at the higher standards.
The water treatment facilities include the Clairton City Municipal Authority and McKeesport City Municipal Authority; the Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority in Westmoreland County; New Castle City Sanitation Authority in Lawrence County; Johnstown Redevelopment Authority; Franklin Township Sewage Authority in Greene County; and, Tunnelton Liquids Co. and Hart Resource Technologies Inc. in Indiana County.
Governor Ed Rendell had allowed the centers, which discharge liquid into waterways, to continue treating hydraulic fracturing fluid under old guidelines, even though Pennsylvania toughened its standards last year. The Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement frames the change as a way to cut back on the amount of bromides in western Pennsylvania waterways. “Recent surface water sampling has found elevated levels of bromide in rivers. …Bromide, itself non-toxic, turns into a combination of potentially unsafe compounds called Total Trihalomethanes once it is combined with chlorine for disinfection at water treatment facilities,” read the DEP statement. Just before the department announced its shift, the Marcellus Shale Coalition admitted drilling wastewater is likely responsible for those increased bromide levels.
The change is earning Corbett rare praise from the environmental groups who have criticized his administration’s regulation of natural gas drilling. “It puts the state back in line with the Clean Water Act, because the simple fact is no one has ever sought a permit to discharge natural gas drilling wastewater,” said Brady Russell, Clean Water Action’s eastern Pennsylvania director. “There is no Clean Water Act exemption there. You have to seek permits for any stream of waste that you’re going to discharge into rivers and streams.” Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of PennFuture, called it “an appropriate response to new information” about bromide levels. “So the only rational response is to absolutely ratchet down on that and try to get it out of the water altogether. And this is a great step in that direction, since publicly owned treatment plants -- sewage treatment plants run by municipalities – aren’t equipped to treat those kinds of substances,” she said.
It’s important to note this is a request, and not an order. DEP spokeswoman Katie Gresh framed it as “a call to action” for drilling companies. She said the agency will reevaluate the situation in 30 days, and may possibly issue an order at that point.
If drilling companies comply with the request, they’ll likely have to recycle or treat more of their fracking fluid on-site, or truck it out to centers that can treat the fluid at the higher standards.
The water treatment facilities include the Clairton City Municipal Authority and McKeesport City Municipal Authority; the Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority in Westmoreland County; New Castle City Sanitation Authority in Lawrence County; Johnstown Redevelopment Authority; Franklin Township Sewage Authority in Greene County; and, Tunnelton Liquids Co. and Hart Resource Technologies Inc. in Indiana County.
Drillers Asked to Stop Taking Frack Water to Treatment Plants
Citing potentially unsafe drinking water, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is calling on natural gas drillers to stop taking wastewater, to 15 treatment plants by May 19. The 15 treatment facilities had been accepting the fracking water under special provisions of last year's Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) regulations. The wastewater is the chemically-treated fracking water used to break shale and released the natural gas.
Acting DEP Secretary Mike Krancer took the step Tuesday, citing elevated levels of bromide in rivers in western Pennsylvania where gas drilling has rapidly grown in the past three years.
"We now have more definitive scientific data, improved technology and increased voluntary wastewater recycling by industry. We used to have 27 grandfathered facilities; but over the last year, many have voluntarily decided to stop taking the wastewater and we are now doen to only 15. More than half of those facilities are now up for permit renewal. Now is the time to take action to end this practice."
Bromide is a salt and is present in drilling wastewater that is partially treated by sewer authorities and discharged into rivers that supply drinking water.
It reacts with chlorine disinfectants used by drinking water systems and creates trihalomethanes which can be harmful to people who drink water with elevated levels of the chemical for many years.
In addition to gas drilling, other industrial sources are also a major factor in the high salt levels that lead to trihalomethanes in drinking water.
Acting DEP Secretary Mike Krancer took the step Tuesday, citing elevated levels of bromide in rivers in western Pennsylvania where gas drilling has rapidly grown in the past three years.
"We now have more definitive scientific data, improved technology and increased voluntary wastewater recycling by industry. We used to have 27 grandfathered facilities; but over the last year, many have voluntarily decided to stop taking the wastewater and we are now doen to only 15. More than half of those facilities are now up for permit renewal. Now is the time to take action to end this practice."
Bromide is a salt and is present in drilling wastewater that is partially treated by sewer authorities and discharged into rivers that supply drinking water.
It reacts with chlorine disinfectants used by drinking water systems and creates trihalomethanes which can be harmful to people who drink water with elevated levels of the chemical for many years.
In addition to gas drilling, other industrial sources are also a major factor in the high salt levels that lead to trihalomethanes in drinking water.
Coal Council Rebuffs DEP Coal Study
A local group is taking issue with the way Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection reviews the environmental effects of coal mining.
The Citizens Coal Council says the five-year review omits key data that was readily available to the University of Pittsburgh, which performed the study. The CCC says the longwall mining method has also proven disproportionately harmful to the environment.
CCC Executive Director Aimee Erickson says her group hired ecological firm Schmid & Company to examine the DEP study’s process. Erickson says the company found that Pitt failed to note more than 1400 Clean Water Act violations in three Greene County mines.
Erickson says this was the third of such five-year reviews since the state’s current “Act 54” mining law was passed in 1994. She says the review once again failed to look at the big picture of the industry’s impact.
“The way the damage is recorded with the DEP is incidences. Instead of saying there’s two to three miles of stream damage, they refer to it as incidences. So there’s no really good way to show the cumulative impact, and that’s a big issue,” says Erickson.
Erickson says Act 54 conflicts with the Clean Streams Law and must be changed to protect homes and the environment from the effects of mining. The CCC presents its finding to a DEP committee Tuesday.
The Citizens Coal Council says the five-year review omits key data that was readily available to the University of Pittsburgh, which performed the study. The CCC says the longwall mining method has also proven disproportionately harmful to the environment.
CCC Executive Director Aimee Erickson says her group hired ecological firm Schmid & Company to examine the DEP study’s process. Erickson says the company found that Pitt failed to note more than 1400 Clean Water Act violations in three Greene County mines.
Erickson says this was the third of such five-year reviews since the state’s current “Act 54” mining law was passed in 1994. She says the review once again failed to look at the big picture of the industry’s impact.
“The way the damage is recorded with the DEP is incidences. Instead of saying there’s two to three miles of stream damage, they refer to it as incidences. So there’s no really good way to show the cumulative impact, and that’s a big issue,” says Erickson.
Erickson says Act 54 conflicts with the Clean Streams Law and must be changed to protect homes and the environment from the effects of mining. The CCC presents its finding to a DEP committee Tuesday.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Environmentalists Say Radiation Tests Not Often Enough
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection wants publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities to test for radioactive materials on a twice-monthly basis. DEP will also continue testing for radioactivity in seven rivers on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
Natural gas drilling can bring naturally-occurring radium, uranium and other radioactive elements to the surface, and there’s concern the contaminants could make their way into streams, rivers, and possibly drinking water. A New York Times series on concerns over radioactivity in fracking fluid received substantial attention in February; tests DEP released in March showed normal levels in Pennsylvania’s waterways.
Acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer spelled out the new guidelines in a letter written to Shawn Garvin of the Environmental Protection Agency, who wrote to Krancer on March 7th to request additional tests for radiation. “Rest assured that well before receiving your letter, the DEP has been focusing on issues relating to natural gas drilling, and priorities protecting the environment and public health and safety above all else,” Krancer wrote.
Two tests a month aren’t enough for Brady Russell, the Eastern Pennsylvania Director for Clean Water Action. “A wastewater treatment plant isn’t constantly treating Marcellus wastewater,” he said. “They treat it when the trucks show up. And they show up occasionally and they treat it right away and they dump it right away. But they could go – who knows, they could go two weeks without any business from the Marcellus Shale industry, and then they get six trucks worth of it.”
Russell also doesn’t like the fact DEP is asking the treatment centers to conduct the tests themselves. “It’d be easy under the letter that Krancer has written to these wastewater treatment facilities for them to do a grab sample or a short-term sample two weeks since they’ve had any Marcellus business, and right before the next set of trucks came in. Yup, everything looks fine,” he said, continuing, “[Centers] want to keep getting this business, right? So they have every incentive to intentionally test at the wrong time.”
The EPA suggested Pennsylvania reassess the treatment facilities’ permits, now that they’re processing fracking fluid. “These permits do not now include critical provisions necessary for effective processing and treatment of wastewaters from drilling operations. Again, it is welcome that you intend to reopen these permits,” wrote EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin on March 7th. Krancer said DEP won’t do that, writing back that new requirements will be added to permits “at the time of their renewal.”
Natural gas drilling can bring naturally-occurring radium, uranium and other radioactive elements to the surface, and there’s concern the contaminants could make their way into streams, rivers, and possibly drinking water. A New York Times series on concerns over radioactivity in fracking fluid received substantial attention in February; tests DEP released in March showed normal levels in Pennsylvania’s waterways.
Acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer spelled out the new guidelines in a letter written to Shawn Garvin of the Environmental Protection Agency, who wrote to Krancer on March 7th to request additional tests for radiation. “Rest assured that well before receiving your letter, the DEP has been focusing on issues relating to natural gas drilling, and priorities protecting the environment and public health and safety above all else,” Krancer wrote.
Two tests a month aren’t enough for Brady Russell, the Eastern Pennsylvania Director for Clean Water Action. “A wastewater treatment plant isn’t constantly treating Marcellus wastewater,” he said. “They treat it when the trucks show up. And they show up occasionally and they treat it right away and they dump it right away. But they could go – who knows, they could go two weeks without any business from the Marcellus Shale industry, and then they get six trucks worth of it.”
Russell also doesn’t like the fact DEP is asking the treatment centers to conduct the tests themselves. “It’d be easy under the letter that Krancer has written to these wastewater treatment facilities for them to do a grab sample or a short-term sample two weeks since they’ve had any Marcellus business, and right before the next set of trucks came in. Yup, everything looks fine,” he said, continuing, “[Centers] want to keep getting this business, right? So they have every incentive to intentionally test at the wrong time.”
The EPA suggested Pennsylvania reassess the treatment facilities’ permits, now that they’re processing fracking fluid. “These permits do not now include critical provisions necessary for effective processing and treatment of wastewaters from drilling operations. Again, it is welcome that you intend to reopen these permits,” wrote EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin on March 7th. Krancer said DEP won’t do that, writing back that new requirements will be added to permits “at the time of their renewal.”
Friday, April 1, 2011
DEP Head Says Policy Change is Temporary
The Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer is backing off of a controversial policy change that would have him and other top department officials sign off on all Marcellus Shale violations cited by inspectors. Now, it is a pilot period for the next three months, and maybe longer depending on what they find.
Environmental advocates said the shift is "unprecedented" and would damage well inspectors' authority and independence. The policy shift became public when WDUQ and other media outlets got a hold of a Department e-mail. DEP spokeswoman Katy Gresh says it's not an approval process..
"It's not a directive aimed at executive staff and Secretary Krancer approving notices of violations before they go out. This whole effort is aimed at achieving consistency among all regions of DEP and central office, and ensuring that violations that are caught in one corner of the Commonwealth are caught everywhere."
She adds what steps will be taken after three months.
"Secretary Krancer and executive staff will look back at the information that has been gathered by staff in the regions and in central office and any inconsistencies that have been identified and we will go from there and determine whether we have achieved consistency...or if more work needs to be done."
When the policy change became public late Wednesday, state lawmakers promised hearings and investigations.
Environmental advocates said the shift is "unprecedented" and would damage well inspectors' authority and independence. The policy shift became public when WDUQ and other media outlets got a hold of a Department e-mail. DEP spokeswoman Katy Gresh says it's not an approval process..
"It's not a directive aimed at executive staff and Secretary Krancer approving notices of violations before they go out. This whole effort is aimed at achieving consistency among all regions of DEP and central office, and ensuring that violations that are caught in one corner of the Commonwealth are caught everywhere."
She adds what steps will be taken after three months.
"Secretary Krancer and executive staff will look back at the information that has been gathered by staff in the regions and in central office and any inconsistencies that have been identified and we will go from there and determine whether we have achieved consistency...or if more work needs to be done."
When the policy change became public late Wednesday, state lawmakers promised hearings and investigations.
DEP Determines Source of Shale Fire
The Department of Environmental Protection found that mismanagement of explosive natural gas byproducts was the cause of a Washington County drilling site fire in mid-February. The Marcellus Shale fire hospitalized three workers who have since been released.
The site, owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation near Avella, was out of compliance with best industry practices. DEP Secretary Michael Krancer distributed a letter of best management practices to all well operators when dealing with compensate, a wet gas liquid byproduct, after the incident.
DEP spokeswoman Katy Gresh said suggested practices were detailed in the letter.
"Identifying the presence of vapors on a site determining the most effective procedures and the most effective equipment that can be used to prevent spill and manage vapor emissions," she says.
Another Washington County fire occured in late March last year due to the mismanagement of condensate. The drilling site was owned by Atlas Energy Incorporated in Hopewell.
The site, owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation near Avella, was out of compliance with best industry practices. DEP Secretary Michael Krancer distributed a letter of best management practices to all well operators when dealing with compensate, a wet gas liquid byproduct, after the incident.
DEP spokeswoman Katy Gresh said suggested practices were detailed in the letter.
"Identifying the presence of vapors on a site determining the most effective procedures and the most effective equipment that can be used to prevent spill and manage vapor emissions," she says.
Another Washington County fire occured in late March last year due to the mismanagement of condensate. The drilling site was owned by Atlas Energy Incorporated in Hopewell.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Environmentalists Say Policy Shift Damages Regulating Drillers
The head of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection will personally sign off on all actions taken against natural gas drillers, going forward.
A department email obtained by WDUQ, Pennsylvania Public Radio and other outlets spells out the change: “Effective immediately, any actions, [notices of violation] and such must get the approval of [Deputy Secretary] Dana [Aunkst] and I with the final clearance from [Acting DEP Secretary Michael] Krancer,” wrote Executive Deputy Secretary John Hines on March 23rd. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was first with the story.
Until now, the decision to cite drillers for violations was made by inspectors, and at the regional level. DEP spokeswoman Katie Gresh said the change was made to ensure across-the-board standards. “This effort to bring about consistency will ensure that enforcement actions levied against companies in one region for one activity will be levied against companies in every other region for the same activity,” she said.
That’s not how environmental advocates feel. Former DEP Secretary John Hanger said when he first got wind of the change, he dismissed it as a rumor. “Somebody had called me about three days ago saying that there was this directive that was out there – this memo out there. I said I just can’t believe it. I cannot believe that would be the directive,” he said. “This would be the equivalent of a trooper being told that he can’t issue a final ticket until the head of the State Police reviews it. It makes no sense. It is going to chill the activity. It’s going to be corrosive to public confidence in the inspection process.”
Hanger called the top-down approach “extraordinary and unprecedented.” Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of PennFuture, agreed. “This memo effectively makes a joke out of inspections of Marcellus Shale drilling operations. What this does is it undercuts the independence and professionalism of inspectors out in the field,” she said. “Rather than to make a formal notice that there’s a problem on the site and start the process of getting it fixed - before they can even issue a notice of violation, they’ve got to kick it up the bureaucratic ladder, all the way to the secretary, Secretary Krancer. And they can’t issue a notice of violation until the secretary approves that.”
Environmentalists have been wary of Governor Corbett since day one, due to the large amount of money drilling companies donated to the Republican’s campaign. In fact, anti-drilling activists picketed his inauguration. Corbett has steadfastly opposed to a natural gas severance tax, and made news earlier this month with budget language appearing to give the Department of Community and Economic Development input into the drilling process. “They just made [drilling] more controversial,” said Hanger. “This is going to send a message to inspectors: be careful issuing notices of violation.”
A department email obtained by WDUQ, Pennsylvania Public Radio and other outlets spells out the change: “Effective immediately, any actions, [notices of violation] and such must get the approval of [Deputy Secretary] Dana [Aunkst] and I with the final clearance from [Acting DEP Secretary Michael] Krancer,” wrote Executive Deputy Secretary John Hines on March 23rd. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was first with the story.
Until now, the decision to cite drillers for violations was made by inspectors, and at the regional level. DEP spokeswoman Katie Gresh said the change was made to ensure across-the-board standards. “This effort to bring about consistency will ensure that enforcement actions levied against companies in one region for one activity will be levied against companies in every other region for the same activity,” she said.
That’s not how environmental advocates feel. Former DEP Secretary John Hanger said when he first got wind of the change, he dismissed it as a rumor. “Somebody had called me about three days ago saying that there was this directive that was out there – this memo out there. I said I just can’t believe it. I cannot believe that would be the directive,” he said. “This would be the equivalent of a trooper being told that he can’t issue a final ticket until the head of the State Police reviews it. It makes no sense. It is going to chill the activity. It’s going to be corrosive to public confidence in the inspection process.”
Hanger called the top-down approach “extraordinary and unprecedented.” Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of PennFuture, agreed. “This memo effectively makes a joke out of inspections of Marcellus Shale drilling operations. What this does is it undercuts the independence and professionalism of inspectors out in the field,” she said. “Rather than to make a formal notice that there’s a problem on the site and start the process of getting it fixed - before they can even issue a notice of violation, they’ve got to kick it up the bureaucratic ladder, all the way to the secretary, Secretary Krancer. And they can’t issue a notice of violation until the secretary approves that.”
Environmentalists have been wary of Governor Corbett since day one, due to the large amount of money drilling companies donated to the Republican’s campaign. In fact, anti-drilling activists picketed his inauguration. Corbett has steadfastly opposed to a natural gas severance tax, and made news earlier this month with budget language appearing to give the Department of Community and Economic Development input into the drilling process. “They just made [drilling] more controversial,” said Hanger. “This is going to send a message to inspectors: be careful issuing notices of violation.”
Thursday, March 17, 2011
DEP Head Says Radioactivity Tests in Streams Will Continue
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s pick for Department of Environmental Protection Secretary says budget language giving the Department of Community and Economic Development the power to expedite permits is nothing more than a call for cross-department cooperation.
The initial ProPublica article on the DCED language frames it as “unprecedented authority” for the department to speed up permits, as long as “the creation of jobs” is involved. Speaking during a House budget hearing, Acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer said DCED won’t have the ability to override other departments, or speed up drilling permits. Instead, he says the language is a policy statement urging state departments to work together. “If we want to or they want to communicate with me on a particular matter, that’s fine. My door’s always open. I’ve said that. It works the other way around, too. If I want to communicate with them, then I’m always empowered to pick up the phone and communicate with them. And that’s very important,” he said.
Krancer also addressed recent concerns about radioactive elements making their way from hydraulic fracturing fluid into drinking water. “Our stream monitoring network showed nothing. To take it further, we have directed, asked – actually directed – the public water supplies to test at their source,” he said. “We did that. We’re also going to ask the public treatment works to do the same thing.” The tests will continue going forward.
Krancer said DEP expects more than $15 million dollars in revenue from natural gas drilling permits during the next fiscal year. That’s up from the more than $12 million expected by the end of June. He also told lawmakers DEP is on track to carry out more than 7,000 drilling site inspections this year, and has already completed more than 1,400.
The initial ProPublica article on the DCED language frames it as “unprecedented authority” for the department to speed up permits, as long as “the creation of jobs” is involved. Speaking during a House budget hearing, Acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer said DCED won’t have the ability to override other departments, or speed up drilling permits. Instead, he says the language is a policy statement urging state departments to work together. “If we want to or they want to communicate with me on a particular matter, that’s fine. My door’s always open. I’ve said that. It works the other way around, too. If I want to communicate with them, then I’m always empowered to pick up the phone and communicate with them. And that’s very important,” he said.
Krancer also addressed recent concerns about radioactive elements making their way from hydraulic fracturing fluid into drinking water. “Our stream monitoring network showed nothing. To take it further, we have directed, asked – actually directed – the public water supplies to test at their source,” he said. “We did that. We’re also going to ask the public treatment works to do the same thing.” The tests will continue going forward.
Krancer said DEP expects more than $15 million dollars in revenue from natural gas drilling permits during the next fiscal year. That’s up from the more than $12 million expected by the end of June. He also told lawmakers DEP is on track to carry out more than 7,000 drilling site inspections this year, and has already completed more than 1,400.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Radiation Levels Normal in 7 PA Rivers
A week after the New York Times reported high levels of radioactivity in natural gas drilling wastewater, the Department of Environmental Protection has released data from tests monitoring Pennsylvania rivers.
Studies conducted in November and December in seven Pennsylvania rivers, including the Allegheny, the Monongahela, the Beaver and the Conemaugh, show “normal” or below-average levels of radiation. “Here are the facts,” said acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer in a statement. “All samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228.”
The results come nine days after the high-profile New York Times story which warned waste treatment facilities don’t have the capacity to remove radon and other elements from drilling wastewater. “… [C]oncern is based partly on a 2009 study, never made public, written by an E.P.A. consultant who concluded that some sewage treatment plants were incapable of removing certain drilling waste contaminants and were probably violating the law,” wrote the paper. “The Times also found never-reported studies by the E.P.A. and a confidential study by the drilling industry that all concluded that radioactivity in drilling waste cannot be fully diluted in rivers and other waterways.”
DEP conducted tests after the Times first contacted DEP about radiation concerns, according to the initial article.
Earlier on Monday, before the results were released, former DEP Secretary John Hanger told WITF-FM that radiation concerns are overblown. “The radioactivity that comes – that it is in the wastewater is a result of coming into contact with those elements naturally. They’re in the ground, and there’s a certain amount of radioactivity associated with the ground,” he said. “There is a lot of information. There’s been a lot of review. I understand the sort of - the dramatic effect of the word “radiation” and “drinking water.” And we don’t need to argue about this. Let’s get the results of the test. It’s underway. I think they should be testing everywhere.”
Hanger said DEP took a hard look at radiation levels during his tenure, and concluded it wasn’t a threat. Among the questions asked, he said, were, “Do these numbers pose a threat to gas drilling workers? The answer was no. Do they pose a threat to anybody who transports the materials – truck drivers? The answer was no. do these numbers pose a threat to anybody who processes the water at a plant? The answer was no. And then last and most importantly, do these numbers post a threat to our drinking water and the public? And the answer was no.” He’s criticized the Times report at his blog, johnhanger.blogspot.com.
Two western Pennsylvania water suppliers, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania American Water Company, are conducting their own radiological tests, as well.
Studies conducted in November and December in seven Pennsylvania rivers, including the Allegheny, the Monongahela, the Beaver and the Conemaugh, show “normal” or below-average levels of radiation. “Here are the facts,” said acting DEP Secretary Michael Krancer in a statement. “All samples were at or below background levels of radioactivity; and all samples showed levels below the federal drinking water standard for Radium 226 and 228.”
The results come nine days after the high-profile New York Times story which warned waste treatment facilities don’t have the capacity to remove radon and other elements from drilling wastewater. “… [C]oncern is based partly on a 2009 study, never made public, written by an E.P.A. consultant who concluded that some sewage treatment plants were incapable of removing certain drilling waste contaminants and were probably violating the law,” wrote the paper. “The Times also found never-reported studies by the E.P.A. and a confidential study by the drilling industry that all concluded that radioactivity in drilling waste cannot be fully diluted in rivers and other waterways.”
DEP conducted tests after the Times first contacted DEP about radiation concerns, according to the initial article.
Earlier on Monday, before the results were released, former DEP Secretary John Hanger told WITF-FM that radiation concerns are overblown. “The radioactivity that comes – that it is in the wastewater is a result of coming into contact with those elements naturally. They’re in the ground, and there’s a certain amount of radioactivity associated with the ground,” he said. “There is a lot of information. There’s been a lot of review. I understand the sort of - the dramatic effect of the word “radiation” and “drinking water.” And we don’t need to argue about this. Let’s get the results of the test. It’s underway. I think they should be testing everywhere.”
Hanger said DEP took a hard look at radiation levels during his tenure, and concluded it wasn’t a threat. Among the questions asked, he said, were, “Do these numbers pose a threat to gas drilling workers? The answer was no. Do they pose a threat to anybody who transports the materials – truck drivers? The answer was no. do these numbers pose a threat to anybody who processes the water at a plant? The answer was no. And then last and most importantly, do these numbers post a threat to our drinking water and the public? And the answer was no.” He’s criticized the Times report at his blog, johnhanger.blogspot.com.
Two western Pennsylvania water suppliers, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and the Pennsylvania American Water Company, are conducting their own radiological tests, as well.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Proposed 3 Year Ban on New Drilling in PA Forests
A group of Democratic State Senators is trying to head off an end to the moratorium on new drilling permits in state forest land. This comes after Governor Tom Corbett last week repealed a 4 month old policy instituted by the Rendell Administration aimed at limiting any environmental damage caused by Marcellus Shale gas drilling in state parks.
Michael Krancer, acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, called the Rendell policy regarding state parks "unnecessary." He said the DEP would continue to review all comments from interested parties concerning drilling on state lands. The state owns the "surface rights" to the state parks but mineral rights are privately owned and court rulings have indicated that the mineral rights owners must be given reasonable access.
Governor Corbett indicated earlier that he also intends to end the moratorium, issued in October by then Governor Rendell,on awarding new leases for drilling in state forests. The state, which owns nearly 85% of the mineral rights in its forests, has leased about a third of the 2.1 million acres of forests for drilling.
State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny County) is co-sponsoring legislation that would enact a 3 year moratorium on additional drilling leases in the state forests...."We have to be concerned about the environment. We have to be concerned about our green spaces. We have to be concerned about our water, our water supply, our watersheds."
Fontana says they also have to think about the people..."We have residents of this state that are campers, that are hunters, that are fishermen that don't want to go out and pitch a tent and look out of their tent and see drilling rigs."
The legislation faces an uphill climb in the General Assembly and could quite likely be vetoed by Governor Corbett.
Michael Krancer, acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, called the Rendell policy regarding state parks "unnecessary." He said the DEP would continue to review all comments from interested parties concerning drilling on state lands. The state owns the "surface rights" to the state parks but mineral rights are privately owned and court rulings have indicated that the mineral rights owners must be given reasonable access.
Governor Corbett indicated earlier that he also intends to end the moratorium, issued in October by then Governor Rendell,on awarding new leases for drilling in state forests. The state, which owns nearly 85% of the mineral rights in its forests, has leased about a third of the 2.1 million acres of forests for drilling.
State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny County) is co-sponsoring legislation that would enact a 3 year moratorium on additional drilling leases in the state forests...."We have to be concerned about the environment. We have to be concerned about our green spaces. We have to be concerned about our water, our water supply, our watersheds."
Fontana says they also have to think about the people..."We have residents of this state that are campers, that are hunters, that are fishermen that don't want to go out and pitch a tent and look out of their tent and see drilling rigs."
The legislation faces an uphill climb in the General Assembly and could quite likely be vetoed by Governor Corbett.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Gas Well Blast Injures Three
State officials say an explosion and fire at a Marcellus Shale gas well in Washington County sent three workers to the hospital. Emergency officials say the blast in Avella, Independence Township was reported shortly before 6:30 last night. Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson Katy Gresh says workers were transferring water used in the hydraulic fracturing process into five tanks at the time of the blast. Several tanks caught fire and crews battled the blaze for hours. Two of the injured workers were taken to the hospital by helicopter and the other was taken by ambulance. Gresh says the three wells at the site appear unaffected and a spokesperson for Chesapeake Appalachia LLC Powers says there was no danger to the public.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Some PA Drill Sites Release Gas Into Air, Not Dangerous Levels
A Department of Environmental Protection survey finds elevated gas levels at northeastern Pennsylvania drilling sites but are not at a point where they’d be a health concern.
The study monitored air at four natural gas drilling sites in Susquehanna County from August to October.
DEP Community Relations Coordinator Mark Carmon says the study found elevated levels of methane, propane, butane and other gasses in the air, but nothing surpassing the warning levels for “air-related health issues.”
"We really didn’t see anything in a short-term way that would be a health concern. But again, I think the best quote here is, the report notes the sampling effort was not meant to address potential cumulative impacts, which would be a more long-term situation."
The study monitored air at four natural gas drilling sites in Susquehanna County from August to October.
DEP Community Relations Coordinator Mark Carmon says the study found elevated levels of methane, propane, butane and other gasses in the air, but nothing surpassing the warning levels for “air-related health issues.”
"We really didn’t see anything in a short-term way that would be a health concern. But again, I think the best quote here is, the report notes the sampling effort was not meant to address potential cumulative impacts, which would be a more long-term situation."
Carmon says the department isn’t drawing any long-term conclusions from the study.
"The report takes some pains to note it is not a long-term, cumulative study. It really is a short-term snapshot of air quality in locations where there is Marcellus activity."
The report comes a few months after a similar survey of drilling sites in southwestern Pennsylvania, which also found higher-than-usual amounts of certain gasses, but nothing triggering alarm bells. Carmon says a third study is wrapping up in north-central Pennsylvania, and that further studies of long-term drilling impacts will begin soon.
"The report takes some pains to note it is not a long-term, cumulative study. It really is a short-term snapshot of air quality in locations where there is Marcellus activity."
The report comes a few months after a similar survey of drilling sites in southwestern Pennsylvania, which also found higher-than-usual amounts of certain gasses, but nothing triggering alarm bells. Carmon says a third study is wrapping up in north-central Pennsylvania, and that further studies of long-term drilling impacts will begin soon.
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