WVU Fracking Study Reccomendations

Morgantown Dominion Post
27 June 2014
By David Beard


The fracking study by three WVU researchers, titled “Practical measures for reducing the risk of environmental
contamination in shale energy production,” contains 10 recommendations:

*  On-site containment in  case of a well blowout or massive fluid leak.
*  Blowout preventers to bring any uncontrolled fluid release under control quickly.
*  Wellbore integrity pressure tests before fracking fluid injection.
*  Waste transportation plans as a required and enforceable component of the well ’s permit.
*  Solid waste characterization studies in order to identify inorganic, organic and radioactive contaminants.
*  Better training for regulatory and industry field inspectors to significantly improve the design and construction of storage pits and impoundments for liquid waste.
*  Air monitors and sound meters at sensitive locations, connected to a central monitoring station.
*  Route traffic away from residences where possible, use better wetting agents to reduce peak dust exposures, and stage traffic to reduce both diesel exhaust concentrations and noise.
*  Characterization of the source of airborne contaminants in order to effectively manage emissions.
*  Require placement of continuous monitoring instruments near sensitive locations for feedback and process control at drill sites for air, light and noise.

Co-author John Quaranta, assistant professor of environmental engineering at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, noted that the industry and regulatory agencies are already incorporating some of their recommendations.

“We’re seeing more inspection guidelines,” he said, “more training opportunities for regulatory personnel and industry field inspectors, and better emergency management protocols are being put i*  place. Our recommendations are already having an impact.”