Op-Ed: Here’s Where We Need To Go Next For Safe Hydraulic Fracturing

By Susan LeGros, Executive Director, Center For Sustainable Shale Development

After reviewing thousands of pages of scientific studies and data, EPA recently concluded that the risk to groundwater from fracturing itself is small, but the process does involve risks, and identified ways that drinking water could be impacted and managed.

EPA's determination appears consistent with the consensus of most in the academic, regulatory and engineering communities, but concerns remain, and its conclusions leave many wondering what should happen next.

Briana Mordick, a writer on the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) staff blog noted on June 5:

"Can the risks of fracking ever be reduced to zero?

"No. Should we strive for that anyway? Yes."

She went on to say that "[O]perators and regulators ... should be using the results of this study to find ways to reduce the multitude of risks to drinking water from hydraulic fracturing that EPA identified."

Our 15 Performance Standards for operators have been arrived at through their collaborative efforts and identify leading practices intended to address the types of risks to water identified in the EPA report …

That's what's next, or what should be. Several energy companies and environmental groups in the Appalachian Basin have already stepped up to do just that.

They formed the Center for Sustainable Shale Development, and have been working together for the last several years to define best operating practices that meet or exceed the baseline established by state regulations.

Our 15 Performance Standards for operators have been arrived at through their collaborative efforts and identify leading practices intended to address the types of risks to water identified in the EPA report, as well as risks to air and climate associated with gas development.

We also provide a rigorous third-party, evaluation and verification program to certify operators who demonstrate they meet these standards in the Appalachian Basin.

To protect surface and groundwater, CSSD's performance standards are intended to reduce, if not totally eliminate, some risks to water supplies. Some of the best practices we require are double-lining of water storage impoundments with leak detection systems, banning use of open pits altogether on well sites, pre-drilling surveys and post-drilling monitoring, and cementing and casing designed to isolate the well and prevent vertical movement of fluids.

Three major energy companies have been certified as meeting the CSSD standards. More will go through this process.

In his recent hearing, John Quigley, Pennsylvania's Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, pointed to CSSD and companies that have sought certification as examples of continuous improvement and setting a higher bar. Broader adoption by gas producers of the CSSD Performance Standards and the practice of undergoing certification audits every two years would support the value of best practices and help mitigate risks associated with shale gas development.

Companies involved in shale gas development must follow the highest operational standards to protect the environment. Constructive and responsible collaboration among industry, environmental and community organizations is the most likely way to establish and advance those best practices.

We believe that by advancing environmental excellence in this way, we can improve the net social benefit of energy.

The Center For Sustainable Shale Development has certified three companies as meeting its performance standards: Chevron, Shell and Consol.

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