Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE MARCELLUS SHALE

The Marcellus Shale Western Maryland sits on top of the Marcellus Shale, an underground rock formation that spans from New York to the panhandle of Virginia through most of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio. These natural gas deposits have been trapped in the shale for almost 500 million years. It is estimated to contain approximately 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and borders two of Maryland’s primary water supplies: the Potomac and the Susquehanna River Basins.

What is Hydraulic Fracturing? To extract this gas from shale formations in neighboring states and out West, gas companies are using a technique called hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as “hydro-fracking” or “fracking”). This method involves injecting millions of gallons of water, sand and dangerous chemicals deep underground at high pressure at high pressure to crack apart the shale and release the gas. The Potential Risks Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing  Drinking water well and aquifer contamination, and surface water contamination from drilling activities, storm water runoff, and wastewater overflows and spills. o In Pennsylvania, improperly treated wastewater discharged into rivers that supply drinking water, contains radioactive contaminants at levels higher than previously known, and far higher than federal regulations say is safe.  Well explosions and fires – on privately owned land, in the homes of individuals, in state parks and forests.  Harm to human health, immense negative impacts on quality of life – prevented from drinking water from the tap, showering, doing laundry in one’s own home.  Documented and lasting harm to livestock and wildlife –fish kills, cattle quarantines, death from drinking contaminated water.  Can lead to air pollution, increased traffic and noise, destructive land clearing and sediment runoff, and lasting negative changes to the visual landscape.  The 2005 Energy Policy Act passed by Congress exempts hydraulic fracturing from numerous public health, safety and environmental protection laws, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act. The mining industry is not required to disclose publicly the chemicals used during fracking.  Requires the use of hundreds of chemicals – some that contain toxic substances such as benzene, a carcinogen.  There is little existing research assessing the potential risks; additional studies are underway but will not be available for some time.

Hydraulic Fracturing in Maryland  Drilling interest is currently limited to Garrett and Allegany Counties.  The Maryland Department of the Environment is currently reviewing five drilling permit applications from two drilling companies: Chief Oil & Gas and Samson Resources. o Chief Oil & Gas has already been charged with 198 environmental and safety violations at 83 wells in Pennsylvania. o Samson Resources has been cited for 12 offenses on just two wells in Pennsylvania.  The proposed sites in Garrett County are located in the Chesapeake Bay and Ohio River Basins.  In Garrett County, the Mayor of Mountain Lake Park has proposed a local ban on drilling for natural gas.

Recent Developments in Marcellus Shale Hydraulic Fracturing  Marcellus Shale hydraulic fracturing is occurring in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.  New York State enacted a moratorium on new drilling in the Marcellus Shale until the State Department of Environmental Conservation completes its environmental review that expires in July 2011.  In the past several years well drilling in the Marcellus Shale has increased exponentially. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, only 27 Marcellus Shale wells were drilled in the state in 2007; in 2010 the number of wells drilled had risen to 1386.

A Legislative Solution In the Maryland General Assembly, Del. Heather Mizeur and Sen. Brian Frosh have introduced the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Act of 2011 (HB852/SB634), which includes a number of the protections to make sure that any drilling that occurs in Maryland is done in a manner that will protect our environment, natural resources and our communities. It will also allow the State of Maryland two and a half years to conduct further research on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing and then use those studies to inform any permit, regulatory or statutory provisions that need to be put in place in order for Maryland to “get it right”.

These natural gas deposits have been trapped in the shale for almost 500 million years – it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.