Pa. approves emergency measure to curb emissions at conventional well sites
Thursday, December 1, 2022
The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board approved an emergency measure to curb emissions at conventional oil and natural gas well sites on Wednesday, according to WESA.
The effort should help Pennsylvania avoid federal sanctions that would take away $500 million in federal highway funds.
The Environmental Quality Board adopted the rule in a 16-2 vote. The rule will limit emissions of volatile organic compounds and methane at existing conventional gas sites.
Gov. Tom Wolf signed a Certification of Need for the emergency regulation on Wednesday. The rule, which must be in place by Dec. 16, will take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Regulators hope that will happen in the Dec. 10 bulletin.
Learn more: WESA > Pennsylvania emissions rule for conventional oil and gas sites moves ahead
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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.