An ounce of prevention

If you’ve followed the progress of Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania, or paid attention at all to the rapid growth in shale gas production nationally, you’ve no doubt heard or read a familiar statement – indeed, mantra - from the gas industry that hydraulic fracturing has never contaminated groundwater. While there is some evidence to the contrary in Wyoming (though the particulars of the case -- drilling depths in particular -- don't appear to be analogous with Pennsylvania), there is a lot riding on that claim. The fact is, over 90% of new gas wells in this country rely on fracking, and our use of natural gas in electricity generation is on the rise.

With that rise comes increased risk. That’s not just my opinion. Far more importantly, The National Groundwater Association thinks so, too.

NGWA is the largest association of groundwater professionals in the world. Last November, they issued a position paper on hydraulic fracturing. It’s essential reading.

NGWA, while recognizing that hydraulic fracturing is a mature technology that has been in use in the US since 1947, nevertheless calls for additional scientific study and research on the potential for groundwater contamination from fracking. For proper construction and maintenance of gas (and oil) wells, the lack of which has caused severe pollution incidents. For identification and sealing of abandoned oil and gas wells – there could be over 180,000 of them in Pennsylvania alone – that present a major potential contamination pathway. For domestic water well construction standards; Pennsylvania inexplicably is one of only three states in the nation without them. For use alternative sources of water to limit use of freshwater for fracking (something that's under consideration in PA). For testing of water wells before gas wells are drilled. For disclosure of all fracking chemicals. And, because contamination from drilling or surface spills can lag for months or years because natural groundwater moves s-l-o-w-l-y, strong monitoring, financial responsibility, and liability provisions in state and/or Federal law.

NGWA’s commonsense advice is certainly worth a pound of cure.