The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced the results of its highly anticipated study on potential exposure to Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) associated with oil and gas development. Initiated in January 2013 at the direction of Governor Tom Corbett, the study included sampling of drill cuttings, flowback and produced waters, and various treatment solids, as well as radiological surveying of well sites, landfills, and other areas involved in disposal or treatment of drilling wastes. In general, the study found that “there is little potential for harm to workers or the public from radiation exposure due to oil and gas development”. However, the study report includes recommendations for future actions, including additional research and investigation.
Last week the University of Texas, in conjunction with the Environmental Defense Fund and 9 companies involved in natural gas production, released a study which found that 0.42% of natural gas produced in the U.S. is emitted into the atmosphere as methane (the main component of natural gas). This estimate is lower than the leak rates found in a 2010 Cornell University study, which estimated leakage at between 0.6 to 3.2%, and U.S. EPA’s review of 2011 data which showed that gas leaked from wells at a rate of 0.47%. Researchers in the University of Texas study recorded direct measurements of actual emissions at 190 well sites, whereas Cornell and U.S. EPA researchers used data provided by drillers. This is the first of multiple studies to be completed by the University of Texas.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) recently announced that its long-term Marcellus air sampling study in southwestern Pennsylvania will continue for the remainder of the 2013 year. PADEP also released a guidance document which gives detailed information on the study, including its sampling design and methods of analysis for data collected. The sampling will include ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, methane and various volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. A final report is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2014.
On Thursday, U.S. EPA announced that the State of Wyoming will lead further investigation of drinking water quality in Pavillion, Wyoming. In 2009, EPA began working with the state and local tribes to investigate water quality in the Pavillion area in response to citizen reports of contaminated well water. Sampling results have shown constituents of concern in the domestic water wells, but a source of the constituents has yet to be determined. EPA released a draft report in 2011 indicating that the groundwater contains constituents likely associated with nearby gas production and hydraulic fracturing activity. The agency no longer intends to finalize or rely on the draft report, as indicated in the following statement from EPA:
“While EPA stands behind its work and data, the agency recognizes the State of Wyoming’s commitment for further investigation and efforts to provide clean water and does not plan to finalize or seek peer review of its draft Pavillion groundwater report released in December, 2011. Nor does the agency plan to rely upon the conclusions in the draft report.”
EPA will continue to provide support for the investigation led by Wyoming officials. EPA plans to now focus attention on its major hydraulic fracturing study, for which the agency expects to issue a draft report in late 2014.
Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is extending by more than six months the deadline for the public to submit scientific data and literature to inform EPA’s study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water sources. The new deadline is November 15, 2013. Last week, the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee convened a hearing to examine hydraulic fracturing research efforts by the Federal Government. Members of Congress reportedly criticized the slow pace at which EPA is approaching the study. EPA has stated in the past that it intends to issue draft results of the study by 2014.
This week the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to research air quality and emissions at natural gas drilling sites. In its press release, NETL explained that, “The research will enable the development of modeling tools to predict and quantify potential risks associated with shale gas reserves that require hydraulic fracturing and assist researchers in analyzing greenhouse gas lifecycle emissions.” According to the NIOSH press release, the research will also be used address worker health and safety concerns in the oil and gas industry.
The Charleston Gazette reports that the pit and impoundment study required by the Horizontal Well Act of 2011, and conducted by West Virginia University, identified problems with how pits and impoundments are constructed and with how state officials inspect them. In a recently-released summary of the report, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) acknowledged that the WVU study identified various construction problems, such as improper compaction, inadequately secured liners, and standing water on berms. Overall, however, DEP concluded that “the current regulatory framework is sufficient to properly regulate the construction, operation, and maintenance of large capacity pits and impoundments.” In response to the study, DEP is training its inspectors in the proper design, construction and maintenance of large capacity pits and impoundments, and has developed a standardized inspection checklist.
The noise, light, and dust study required by the Horizontal Well Act remains delayed, and a third study regarding air pollution is not due until July 2013.