Posted on 06/16/2010 10:06:48 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
Does the Gulf Coast oil drilling disaster mean a gas drilling disaster could happen here?
Opponents of natural gas drilling in this region think so.
They point to the environmental nightmare to reiterate their call for a moratorium on exploration of the gas-rich Marcellus shale, which sits beneath Sullivan and Ulster counties and Pennsylvania. Right now, permits could be issued by year's end, once the state releases new regulations for the controversial horizontal drilling method of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
Related Stories VIDEO: Fracking ProtestWould drilling for gas in Sullivan affect Orange County?Upper Delaware River named 'most endangered' Pennsylvania bans company's gas drilling"There's absolutely a link to the Gulf," says Bruce Ferguson of Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, one of several groups supporting a proposed law that would delay drilling until a federal study on fracking is complete — in up to two years.
He points to accidents in Pennsylvania, where a gas wellhead blew and water has been polluted.
"The common thread is shoddy regulation and drilling on the cheap," Ferguson says.
The fear of accidents such as the BP oil gusher is one reason another group, FracAction, called for the moratorium Tuesday during press conferences at several Department of Environmental Conservation offices, including the one in New Paltz.
"You can't trust an industry that doesn't have solutions for something that goes wrong," says Julia Walsh, the group's project coordinator.
But the CEO of one of the world's largest gas drilling companies, Chesapeake Energy, which leases Marcellus shale land, says safeguards are in place to prevent accidents such as the Gulf spill.
"I expect the evidence will show that strictly enforcing existing laws, rules, regulations and following best management practices can more than adequately protect people and the environment," said Aubrey McClendon. This is especially true for drilling on land "where operational and emergency issues are much less complex to effectively handle."
A spokesman for the state's oil and gas industry agrees.
"The difference between what can happen beneath water and on land is night and day," said James Smith, who represents the Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York.
But drilling critics point to the water pollution and well explosions from accidents in Pennsylvania as examples of what can — and does — happen on land.
"It's the same industry," says Ferguson, citing the lack of preventive measures in the Gulf. "They always try to cut corners instead of doing it right."
And McClendon acknowledged accidents can happen:
"Our job is to reduce the likelihood of their occurrence and then be fully prepared to quickly address them to limit their human and environmental impact."
Get the “frack” outta here!
I think that areas that have natural resources and choose not to exploit them should pay a premium for similar products that they obtain from other areas. Why should the Gulf states run the risk of environmental problem to supply stuff to folks who abjure developing their own resources.
The mother of all Gaia gas farts?
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