EPA Seeks More Details on Drilling Waste Disposal
Charleston Gazette
13 May 2011
By Ken Ward Jr.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just announced:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today directed six natural gas
drillers to disclose how and where the companies dispose of or recycle
drilling process water in the region. EPA continues to work with the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to ensure
that natural gas production takes place safely and responsibly. These
actions are among the ongoing steps EPA is taking to ensure drilling
operations are protective of public health and the environment. Natural
gas is a key part of our nation’s energy future and EPA will continue
to work with federal, state and local partners to ensure that public
health and the environment are protected.
This follows last month’s major spill from a Chesapeake Energy site in
Pennsylvania, and EPA noted:
EPA’s action follows a request by PADEP asking drillers to voluntarily
stop taking wastewater to Pennsylvania wastewater treatment plants by
May 19. EPA wants to know where drillers are now going to dispose of
their wastewater and will work with PADEP to ensure EPA has access to
this information. The companies must report back to EPA by May 25 with
information on the disposal or recycling of their drilling process
water.
The companies receiving the information requests are: Atlas Resources
L.L.C; Talisman Energy USA; Range Resources – Appalachia, L.L.C.; Cabot
Gas and Oil Corporation; SWEPI, LP; and, Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
These six companies account for more than 50 percent of the natural gas
drilling in Pennsylvania.
EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin said:
We want to make sure that the drillers are handling their wastewater in
an environmentally responsible manner. EPA is continuing to work with
PADEP officials who are on the frontlines of permitting and regulating
natural gas drilling activities in Pennsylvania.