Marcellus Formation - Economic Impact - Natural Gas - Environmental Issues

Environmental Issues

Environmental concerns around the drilling and extraction processes have sparked opposition to development of this resource. One concern is the release to the environment of underground naturally occurring radioactive material through the drilling fluids and equipment. The hydraulic fracturing process also uses large quantities of surface water.

The extent of environmental impacts of tapping the Marcellus Shale are hotly debated. The effects of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing on the water supply, groundwater tables, and the use of chemicals in fracturing, the disposal of toxic fracturing fluid, air pollution emissions, drilling safety, spills, forest fragmentation, encroachment on residential communities, road use issues and land reclamation are all in contention for their level of impact.

Heavy trucks and tanker trucks can cause expensive road damage such as cracked pavement and potholes on roads not rated for heavy traffic. Engineers in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have documented damage caused by the heavy trucks and tankers. Damage includes crushing of drain pipes, potholes, rutting, and pavement fatigue failure. The cost of these repairs are often much higher than the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is allowed to charge for road use. In addition to causing road damage, when heavy trucks and tankers drive over farmland, they compact the subsoil, which increases runoff and decreases crop productivity for years. Ecologists also have concerns about the ecological impact on forests when trees are cut down to make way for access roads. Ornithologists have documented declining populations of woodland birds.

A large portion of the formation underlies the environmentally sensitive Chesapeake Bay Watershed as well as the Delaware River Basin. The Delaware River Basin Commission, which holds regulatory jurisdiction over water usage, extraction, or potential contamination, has made a "determination" that requires that any component of a hydro-fracking operation within the boundaries of their Special Protection Waters must be permitted by the DRBC, regardless of whether or not the operation was previously subject to permitting.

Faced with opposition to hydraulic fracturing in the New York City watershed area, Chesapeake Energy made a no-drilling pledge for five miles around the watershed; but the company opposed any legislation like that presented by Jim Brennan (D-Brooklyn), October 2009.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission, which oversees this other portion of the watershed, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, issued orders to suspend operations at several wells in May 2008 because surface water was being diverted by the drillers without the necessary permits, and precautions to protect streams from contaminated runoff were questioned. The practices of "land men" who acquire leases for drilling and extraction rights have also been widely questioned.

New York City under the New York City Gas Fuel Code made it illegal to drill within city limits. Pennsylvania is following this trend: on November 16, 2010 Pittsburgh became the first city in Pennsylvania to ban hydrofracking within city limits.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh recently released a study showing that "7 percent of Allegheny County's land has been leased for drilling and extraction since 2003" and the number of properties in the county leased for oil and gas exploration has grown exponentially in recent years.

It is alleged that gas drilling in Northeast Pennsylvania caused methane to infiltrate up to 15 homes in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, via groundwater contamination. This conclusion came from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, though it is disputed by Cabot Oil & Gas Corp which was cited for causing the contamination. It is also disputed by other long-term area residents who have noted that high methane levels had been present for more than 60 years prior to hydrofracking in Dimock. Northeast Pennsylvania is not the only place to experience groundwater contamination allegedly following commencement of gas drilling operations.