Reduced speed limits considered for drilling areas
Friday, December 5, 2014
In drilling areas, an increase in the number of traffic accidents has been observed in relation to the increased amount of truck traffic to and from oilfields. The Texas Tribune reports that in response to this problem, speed limits may be lowered for roads near oil operations as soon as early January 2015.
The Texas Department of Transportation is able to lower speed limits on rural two-lane, two-way roads that are part of the state highway system without a study of the roads. Speeds may be reduced up to 12 miles per hour on certain rural roads.
One step that TxDOT took to improve safety was by replacing some paved roads with gravel in 2013, although that project was halted due to criticism. In the future, the state highway fund will receive a portion of oil and gas production taxes for road maintenance, noting that increased truck traffic leads to the deterioration of roads as well as more accidents.
Via: The Texas Tribune > Lower Speed Limits Coming in Drilling Areas
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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.