Marcellus Shale Coalition criticizes grand jury report
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
The Marcellus Shale Coalition defended Pennsylvania’s drilling industry and state agencies and criticized a June 25 grand jury report released by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, according to Kallanish Energy.
David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, outlined the pro-drilling group’s stance in a seven-page letter to state legislators. The letter addresses the grand jury report released by Shapiro that attacked the natural gas industry and two state agencies: Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health for failing to protect Pennsylvania from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling over the last 10 years.
In his letter, Spigelmyer pointed out “factual inaccuracies, misrepresentations, legal omissions and unsubstantiated allegations.”
Learn more: Kallanish Energy > Coalition defends Pa. gas industry, regulators from grand jury report
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.