Coal/ Aggregate (MTR) and Gas Drilling My PA Perspective

Transcription

1 Coal/ Aggregate (MTR) and Gas Drilling My PA Perspective Presented at: Wellness and Water 2013 June 29 30, 3013 ~ WV Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV

2 Presented by Mr. Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG), Professional Soil Scientist (PA and WV), Licensed Well Driller (PA) B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. Water Research Center Carbon County Groundwater Guardians

3 Water-Research Center Education and Outreach Program funded by B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. Outreach Programs Environmental and Professional Education and Training for Citizens and Local Municipalities Water Quality Help Guides Information Library Community and Business Outreach Programs Low Cost Informational Water Testing Program with National Laboratory Citizen Monitoring Programs- Developing Low Cost Water Quality Sensors Targets Young Adults, Watershed Organizations, Coalition, Environmental nmental Groups, Professionals, and Kids

4 Carbon County Groundwater Guardians The Carbon County Groundwater Guardians (CCGG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer, environmental education organization which provides homeowners with information on private wells, water quality and quantity, and septic systems Not an Advocacy Group 1. Education 2. Fact Based Approach 3. Scientific Method 4. Target Education of Kids and Families 5. Delivery Statewide

5 B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. Professional Consulting Services in the areas of water quality, soils, stormwater, geology, aquifer analysis, and land-development. Baseline Chain-of-Custody- Sourcewater Protection Expert Testimony Online Training in Alternative Energy Professional and Educator Training Water Treatment Process/ Product Development

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7 Our Work on Coal Legacy Issues 1. Education and Awareness Kids 2. Developing Innovative Solutions for Use, Mitigation, and Treatment (Local Agencies, Professionals, Researchers) 3. Mine Land Reclamation and AMD Treatment 4. Assisting in Health Based Research, such as Polycythemia vera and Private Well Water Testing and Analysis. 5. Events Rain Barrel Workshops and Energy Expos (2009 and 2010)

8 Mine Water Treatment System and Water Reuse Before AFTER POW Process BEFORE

9 Oil and Gas

10 Our Drinking Water Shale Gas The Match Of the Century Pick a Side and Lets See Who Wins. No We don t want this situation - This mindset is Causing Grid Lock? We ALL Live Downstream!

11 Citizen Groundwater and Surface Water Database For PA (Community Action) What is in the Database? Go to or

12 This is Drinking Water in PA? What about this Health Crisis in PA? Iron / Manganese Sediment / Gases 50% Other 50% Corrosion Bacteria

13 Our Work Education and Outreach Fact Based No Spin Zone Speaking to Lease Holder and Land Trusts Groups Speaking to Advocacy Groups/ Watershed Groups Working on Sourcewater Protection Committees Industry Groups, Local Agencies Educating Private Well Owners on Baseline Testing, Chain-of-Custody, Citizen Science Commenting and Recommending Regulatory Changes Developing Education and Training Materials

14 Action Needed Oil and Gas Issues (Top 7 Issues- West Virginia) 1. Containment Closed Loop Drilling, Lined Drill Pad, and Full Containment on Using Frac Tanks no lined pits for flowback water. (Full Containment) 2. More Oversight and Public Disclosure. 3. Industry - Repair Roads and Upgrade Infrastructure 4. Monitoring and Tracking Water Withdrawals and Waste Disposal (Cradle to Grave). 5. No Burial of Materials or Cutting On-site Surface activities should be survey located and recorded on the deed for the parcel. 6. Proper emergency response and monitoring plans 7. Cement bond logging and integrity testing for wells. Short List of Common Problems

15 Action on Oil and Gas Issues (others) Weakness in Most State Regulations Not Treating and Reusing the Flowback Water and NO Water Management Plans Not Using Degrade Water Sources for Hydraulic Fracturing Baseline Testing is Very Limited Not Requiring Cement Bond Logging and long-term monitoring/testing. Fines and Fees are TOO Low and inadequate oversight Limited Baseline Testing Testing should be at Predrilling, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 year, etc. Spills and Releases not properly reported, documented, investigated, cleaned up, and no final report. Use lined pits contaminated water and permitting disposal in place! Short List of Common Problems

16 Lease Holders Lease Holders Attempt to add more Environmental Provisions into your lease. This should include baseline testing of water, soil, and air quality. Attempt to include surfacewater monitoring and monitoring and testing surrounding well owners. Include requiring liners, closed loop drilling, Frac Tanks, etc Join a Surface Rights or Royalty Owners Group Work with Your Community Develop or Form a Community Matters Group to Help Deal with Nuisance Issues, Complaints, and Concerns Good Best Management Manual On Oil and Gas at

17 Surface Owners Join a Surface Owners Coalition Lobby for Changing Mineral/Gas Rights Law- Give more control to the Surface Owner Develop Surface Owners Rights Change Municipal Authority by Changing Planning Code Implement Zoning for Secondary Growth Develop Sourcewater Protection Programs Get Informed, Ask Questions, and Comment on Proposed Regulatory Changes Education and Increase Awareness for Energy Efficient, Push for an Energy Policy Work as a Community- Get Baseline Testing Done NOW Form a Citizens Groundwater / Surfacewater Database like

18 My Suggested Approach On Energy and Conservation Issues We Produce Twice the Amount of Energy We Use 50% Waste Promote Water and Energy Conservation (Target Kids) Encourage the Purchase of Energy Efficient Products (Target Kids) Promote Groundsource Heating and Cooling (Use Severance Taxes or Impact Fees to Promote Energy Efficiency) Support Renewable Energy Research (all options on the table) Develop a Long-Term Energy Strategy for the Country Form a Groundwater Guardian Group like

19 Educating the Community Electronic Copy (pdf) or Link to a copy at Also: 1. New Portal 2. New Web-portal on Methane Gas Migration And Mitigation Help Promote the Citizens Groundwater Surfacewater Database to Your Community Partners. Link to: or Pennsylvania Groundwater Forum (facebook)

20 Good Links Ours (Baseline Testing) (Informational Water Testing) (Private Well Owner Support) Report Accidents and Spills WV DEP Spill Hotline EPA Eyes on Drilling

21 Presented by Mr. Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG), Professional Soil Scientist (PA and WV), Licensed Well Driller (PA) B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc. Water Research Center Carbon County Groundwater Guardians

22 Coal/ Aggregate (MTR) and Gas Drilling My PA Perspective Presented at: Wellness and Water 2013 June 29 30, 3013 ~ WV Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV