Oil and gas companies take advantage of law’s loophole to avoid permits
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Columbus Dispatch reports that oil and gas companies have been using a loophole in a federal law to inject toxic chemicals without a permit.
The law pertains to the use of diesel fuel and other chemicals in the drilling process and regulations for drilling length, depth and construction of drill casings. These regulations are in place to prevent chemicals from contaminating groundwater.
However, the loophole in the law lets drillers use toxic chemicals without a permit. Even though drillers are injecting chemicals, there haven’t been any cases of groundwater contamination as a result of hydraulic fracking.
From Columbus Dispatch:
“Four chemicals in diesel — benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene — are the biggest worries to federal regulators and environmental and health officials. Benzene is a known carcinogen. Ethylbenzene and toluene can cause neurological problems.”
Via: Columbus Dispatch > Fracking companies use loophole to avoid permits for dangerous chemicals, report says
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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.