When it comes to hydraulic fracturing, better to study than be sorry.
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley yesterday signed an executive order calling for a study of the environmental impacts of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale formation that lies under Western Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and other states in the region.
Under the order, the Maryland Department of the Environment and Department of Natural Resources will issue recommendations by Dec. 31 (before the next General Assembly session) on whether Maryland should impose a state tax on gas extraction and pass legislation to establish standards of liability for damages caused by gas drilling.
Pennsylvania, which is already experiencing a gold rush of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Marcellus shale formation, does not impose a state tax on gas extraction, although many states with gas drilling do impose this kind of tax. Maryland, like Pennsylvania, has been facing large budget deficits during the economic downturn -- and a drilling tax could help solve this problem.
By August 1, 2012, Maryland's environmental and natural resource agencies (in consultation with an advisory committee) will issue recommendations for the best practices for safe drilling, according to the governor’s order. And by August 1, 2014, the team will issue a report detailing the potential environmental and economic ramifications of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in Western Maryland.
“Exploration for and production of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale in nearby states have resulted in injuries, well blowouts, releases of fracturing fluids and methane, spills, fires, forest fragmentation, road damage, and evidence of contamination to groundwater and surface water,” the governor’s office said in a written statement.
The executive order comes after the failure of legislation proposed this spring in the Maryland General Assembly that would have delayed any hydraulic fracturing in Maryland until the state conducted a two year study. That bill passed the state House of Delegates, but did not make it out of committee in the Senate.
State Del. Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the Maryland House of Delegates’ Environmental Matters Committee, praised the governor’s action. “While I acknowledge that the extraction of natural gas is important to our state and country, we must also understand that oil and gas activities, including hydro-fracking, are exempt from many federal environmental laws,” McIntosh said. “Experiences in nearby states have demonstrated that the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and the legislature must set standards to protect our drinking water, land and air when drilling in Marcellus Shale.”
Governor O’Malley is wise to order increased state scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauds the move, and is also calling for federal action: a broader, region-wide federal study of the potential environmental impacts of drilling in the Marcellus shale.
The history of extraction of fossil fuels -– whether for coal, oil or gas -– shows that carelessness can cause great damage that lasts for generations. Better to proceed cautiously as the drilling companies try to rush and cash in.
Do you think these drilling companies should be taxed? Or exempt? Voice your opinions.
By Tom Pelton
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
(Photo at top of drilling rig in Pennsylvania's Moshannon State Forest)
The Maryland governor has done the right thing, but legislation is essential including clear guidelines for environmental impact and for enforcement. There are clear dangers to the Chesapeake Bay as well as to the overall water table due to the drilling process. Fracturing can endanger people too.
Posted by: Waddell Robey | 06/08/2011 at 05:11 PM
No corporation, no state, no ego can close Pandora's Box once it is opened.
DEMAND: NATIONAL BAN HORIZONTAL HYDRAULIC FRACTURING.
Posted by: all one | 06/09/2011 at 10:18 AM
The fracturing method leads to water polution that is toxic to people, animals, and the environment.
Once it enters the water and environment at the levels needed for fracturing the rocks, it will travel down stream.
This cannot be removed from the environment once forced into the ground.
This method should not be allowed and any permits that allows companies to use it should be revoked.
We need to stand up for our water quality before it causes irreversable damage.
We will not save money using this method, we will pay for the more expensive clean-up later not just with money but our health.
Posted by: sheryl h | 07/11/2011 at 04:53 PM
I've lived in Maryland all of my life and the thought of allowing fracking to enter our state scares me! It would do nothing but pollute our water and poison the people and animals that drink from it. I don't want to wake up one day and be able to light my drinking water on fire or get nauseous everytime I finish taking a shower. Please! Please! Don't allow this horrible practice to be allowed in our state. I know this type of drilling would bring big bucks to individuals and the state's pocket, but it wont be worth it in the end. Being able to drink clean water without the risk of it containing carcinogenic chemicals is priceless.
Posted by: Nahshon Malloy | 10/02/2011 at 07:08 AM
Already a gold rush of hydraulic fracturing of natural gas in Marcellus Shale formation, does not impose a state tax on gas extraction, although many states require that gas drilling tax rate.
Posted by: איפור ערב | 10/12/2011 at 07:32 AM
Can safe drilling and enviornmental concerns work hand in hand? I hope so!
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