Despite the recent failure of legislation in Maryland designed to protect streams and drinking water from hydraulic fracturing, the state’s Environmental Secretary has promised to continue with a “cautious approach” to drilling for natural gas.
“MDE will not issue any permits unless and until we are confident that the natural gas can be extracted from shale formations in Maryland without causing significant adverse impact to human health, natural resources, or the environment,” Dr. Robert Summers, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), wrote last week to a citizen activist in Western Maryland.
The activist, Eric Robison, founder of a group called Save Western Maryland, prompted the email from the state’s top environmental official by writing an email to the state agency on April 17. “Already communities in states such as Pennsylvania have suffered the consequences of reckless drilling, from contaminated ground water to well explosions,” Robison wrote.
The Maryland General Assembly Session ended on April 11 with the state House voting in favor of a bill called the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Act of 2011, but a state senate committee killing it by failing to vote on it. The bill would have required a comprehensive, industry-funded study of the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on streams and drinking water before Maryland could approve any permits.
Dr. Summers said that his agency supported this bill. “The study…would have helped us fully understand the risks and develop appropriate standards and permit conditions,” the environmental secretary wrote. “We will continue our cautious approach even without this legislation….. No permits have been issued. Prior to making any permit decision, Maryland law requires that the proposed activity be subjected to a formal public review and comment process.”
What do you think about this, readers?
The entire letter is reprinted below:
………………………….
Dear Mr. Robison,
Thank you for your email regarding Marcellus Shale drilling in Maryland. The Governor and the Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE) appreciates your interest in this matter.
We are mindful of the tremendous benefits that could come from exploring and exploiting Maryland's Marcellus shale gas reserves, but we are especially alert to the risks of adverse public health and environmental effects. If drilling and production proceed, they must be done in a way that protects public safety, groundwater, surface water, and habitat.
Governor O'Malley, the Department of the Environment, and the Department of Natural Resources are determined to ensure that drilling in the Marcellus shale will not occur in Maryland until we know whether, and how, it can be done safely. We are proceeding cautiously and deliberately and do not intend to allow drilling and hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") in the Marcellus Shale until the issues are resolved to our satisfaction.
MDE already has the authority in state law and regulation to place all reasonable conditions in permits necessary to provide for public safety and to protect public health and the environment. What is lacking is a complete understanding of the risks inherent in deep drilling and fracking and consensus about what permit conditions would be sufficient to protect against those risks. We supported the House version of this bill because it mandated a study of the issues and provided the funding for it. The study, to be funded by the gas industry, would have helped us fully understand the risks and develop appropriate standards and permit conditions.
We will continue our cautious approach even without this legislation.
MDE will not issue any permits unless and until we are confident that the natural gas can be extracted from shale formations in Maryland without causing significant adverse impact to human health, natural resources, or the environment.
No permits have been issued. Prior to making any permit decision, Maryland law requires that the proposed activity be subjected to a formal public review and comment process.
Thank you for taking the time to advocate for safe drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Sincerely,
Robert Summers, Ph.D.
Acting Secretary
Maryland Department of the Environment
That's great, but they can just go to Pennsylvania and get a permit approved with no investigation or research into how it will affect the environment or the communities that lay downstream. Pa.'s permit review process is a joke.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | 04/25/2011 at 08:25 PM
Here is Eric Robison's response to Dr. Summers' letter:
.............
Tom,
I have met with Bob Summers several times during the House and Senate testimony for the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Act 2011 and again when the Governor came up to discuss Drilling in Maryland with a small group of stakeholders.
Though my history with MDE would suggest I not believe anything MDE says, I have found Bob Summers to be very genuine and truthful. He has assisted with several stages of the legislature when it was being written, and has made statements in private that he has followed up with a public statements.
Having heard Governor O'Malley and Bob Summers make the same statement that they will not issue permits until we understand more of the issues, makes me believe they are on the same playbook AND because they have not issued a single permit, I feel they will possibly wait until next year to begin taking baby steps in issuance of permits.
Now as for protecting our streams and drinking water, this is entirely a different subject. There will need to be an advisory board to assist with oversight of environmental issues. MDE has talked about protecting water resources, but in generalities not specifics. This, I think, is where there will be conflicts as we move forward. Again I am hopeful, but have not heard specifics on this issue.
Eric Robison
Posted by: Eric Robison | 04/26/2011 at 10:01 AM
We are so fortunate to have someone like Dr. Summers as MDE Secretary (Acting). I hope Dr. Summers is chosen to occupy that position on a permanent basis.
Maryland has someone who is not only environmentally conscious but someone who is concise and responsive to citizen's inquiries.
I believe Dr. Summers is one person we can depend upon to insure Maryland doesn't end up with the devastation of Pennsylvania, Colorado and Wyoming, that have all suffered tremendous harm because of this type of natural gas extraction.
Posted by: Cheryl Thomas | 04/26/2011 at 05:48 PM
UPDATE:
Dr. Summers on 4/28/11 was named the Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment (no longer acting secretary).
Here is the release:
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES ROBERT M. SUMMERS AS MARYLAND’S SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 28, 2011) – At a meeting of the Executive Cabinet today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced the appointment of Robert M. Summers, Ph.D. as Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. Summers has served as Deputy Secretary for the Department of the Environment since January 2007 and has been Acting Secretary since December 2010. Throughout his 27-year career, Dr. Summers has been a key contributor to Maryland’s nationally prominent environmental programs, including the multi-jurisdictional Chesapeake Bay restoration effort.
“I am pleased to announce Dr. Summers as our Secretary for the Environment,” said Governor O’Malley. “With his highly-regarded expertise, straightforward approach to finding workable solutions, and passion for clean water, clean air and a healthy environment, we are confident that his continued leadership will serve the people of our State well as we work to protect our environmental priorities.”
“I am honored to be asked to lead the Department’s work to safeguard drinking water, clean up the Chesapeake Bay and local rivers and streams, make our air healthier to breathe, and protect families from hazards -- including childhood lead poisoning,” said Dr. Summers. “I am committed to application of the best science, the best service using e-commerce, predictability and transparency in permitting, and encouraging innovative technologies to protect public health and the environment. We have an enormous opportunity to foster innovation and create jobs with the Bay and environmental restoration, just like we are doing with climate change and renewable energy.”
For 27 years, Summers has served in various capacities within Maryland’s progressive and nationally recognized environmental programs, with emphasis on scientific and technical issues related to water pollution control, drinking water protection and federal, State and local government environmental laws and regulations. Summers has worked at MDE since its creation in 1987 and has served as the Director of the Water Management Administration and Director of the Technical and Regulatory Services Administration.
“Dr. Summers’ history of dedication to the Chesapeake Bay and the State of Maryland, as well as his professional background and personal skills, will make him a valuable member of Governor O’Malley’s cabinet as Maryland moves forward in its ongoing role as a leader on environmental matters,” said Kim Coble, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“Dr. Summers’ technical expertise as well as his leadership role in developing Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay restoration strategy reflects a sound understanding of the science involved and the steps necessary to achieve the Bay restoration and cleanup,” said Kathleen T. Snyder, President and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “Dr. Summers has also shown the ability to balance numerous competing interests and broad-reaching requirements -- such an approach ensures environmental protection with consideration to impacts on all sectors.”
Dr. Summers currently serves as Maryland’s Commissioner on the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and the Appalachian States’ Low Level Radioactive Waste Commission.
Dr. Summers received his B.A. (1976) and Ph.D. (1982) in Environmental Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University, under the tutelage of the late Dr. M. Gordon (“Reds”) Wolman.
Some of the Department’s achievements under the O’Malley-Brown Administration include:
· Leading development of a strong State Watershed Implementation Plan, as part of EPA’s plan to restore the Chesapeake Bay;
· Enacting new regulations to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff, the fastest-growing source of Bay pollution;
· Issuing new regulations and a permit on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations to, for the first time, implement manure handling requirements on 85 percent of poultry litter generated from Maryland’s poultry operations;
· Jump-starting the Bay Restoration Fund septic upgrades program;
· Aggressively enforcing the State’s lead laws, testing more children for lead poisoning and reporting fewer children with lead poisoning than ever before;
· Implementing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2009, which calls for a 25 percent reduction in state greenhouse gas emissions by 2020;
· Leading Maryland’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the country’s first cap-and-trade program, which has raised $162.4 million for programs to promote cleaner energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation, and provide rate relief for low and moderate income households; and
· Implementing Maryland’s Clean Cars legislation, implementing stricter vehicle emission standards targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
Posted by: Tom Pelton | 04/28/2011 at 10:40 AM