Odds Worsening in Shale Game
Developments in Pennsylvania show need for regulation of
gas-drilling industry
Morgantown Dominion Post EDITORIAL
21 April 2011
Some are content with just enough news to confirm their own opinions.
Newspapers’ opinion pages don’t have that “luxury.” We cannot hide from
developments on any issue and our opinions are in print. Opinion pages
are guarded and analytical, and rarely rush to judgment. But last fall
we had read, seen and heard enough about the sweeping development of
the vast Marcellus shale formation in West Virginia and other states.
We called for comprehensive regulation of this industry in the upcoming
regular session of the Legislature. That call went unheeded, as the
House and Senate failed to compromise in the waning hours of the
session. Then we urged the acting governor to call a special session of
the Legislature as soon as possible, dedicated to regulating Marcellus
shale drilling. Political posturing apparently muted that call as the
acting governor refused to disrupt his campaign for the special
gubernatorial primary. Following that, we joined with 23 legislators,
from both sides of the aisle, who called for a moratorium on the
issuance of new permits for Marcellus shale drilling. But the powers
that be at the governor’s mansion and the state Capitol still don’t
want to hear it. Which brings us to those new developments ... across
our border in Pennsylvania. Though some in Charleston may ignore these
developments, they do so at their own political peril, and possibly at
great risk to the public. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental
Protection has ordered Marcellus shale drillers to stop bringing their
wastewater to treatment plants for discharge into rivers and streams by
May 19. Where it will be treated or discharged after that wasn’t
announced. But don’t even think about shipping it here. Turns out those
treatment plants were not adequately treating this contaminanted water
and it is polluting drinking water supplies in the Pittsburgh area,
which an industry group even confirmed. Although West Virginia
prohibits dumping this water into our rivers and streams, it does allow
for injecting it deep below the earth into disposal wells. Yet, we
suspect that even this process poses risks to our aquifer. And as a
rule only about 20 percent of the chemical-laced water used in these
wells is even extracted and injected underground. The rest finds its
way somewhere. It’s said news is what people want to keep hidden, and
everything else is publicity. When the need to regulate Marcellus shale
drilling hits a crisis level our leaders won’t be able to hide.