The federal government yesterday adopted new regulations to curb air pollution from drilling operations for natural gas caused by hydraulic fracturing, a step welcomed by environmentalists in New Jersey.
But they argued much more needs to be done to protect drinking water supplies from the drilling, a threat they say poses more harm to the water used by millions in three states.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the rules, which officials said could reduce harmful emissions from drilling operations by 95 percent, while not imposing new costs on the industry. More than half of the drilling operations already are using the technologies required under the new regulations.
The practice, dubbed fracking by critics, involves the injection of huge quantities of water, as well as some smaller quantities of chemicals, into shale formations where deposits of natural gas have been found. It has fueled a boon in domestic natural gas supplies, which have lowered electricity prices for consumers and businesses and helped revive a sagging economy.
In New Jersey, the drilling operations in Pennsylvania and New York have caused widespread concern that it may threaten the drinking supplies of 15 million people in the Delaware River Basin, including more than 1 million in New Jersey who rely on the Delaware River for their potable water supplies.
“The regulations are a longtime coming, but they don’t address the fact that the Delaware River Basin remains an open target for the gas industry,’’ said Doug O’Malley of Environment New Jersey. “It’s what we hope is the first step in reining in a renegade industry.’’
In adopting the rule, Gina McCarthy, an assistant administrator at the EPA, described the regulations as “practical, flexible, affordable and achievable.’’ By capturing natural gas that would otherwise be released into the air during drilling, it could result in $11 million to $19 million in savings for the industry, she said during a telephone press conference.
At least one industry advocate said the final rule reflects improvements over the draft proposal.
Upon initial review, Howard Feldman, director of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Petroleum Institute, said the rules recognize improvements to oil and natural gas production, including hydraulic fracturing operations, which allow for emission reductions while still allowing for production of oil and natural gas.
Responding to industry concerns, the federal agency changed the rule to establish a three-year phase-in period. According to EPA, an estimated 13,000 new and existing natural gas wells are fractured or re-fractured each year.
Continue reading this story in NJ Spotlight.
NJ Spotlight is an online news service providing insight and information on issues critical to New Jersey.
