DRBC steps up gas drilling regulation efforts

Announces new hydropower interest

in NYC reservoirs

By SANDY LONG

sandylong@riverreporter.com

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER REGION — On the heels of recent actions taken by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which partially shut down two gas well drilling operations in Lycoming County for violating Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has declared that it, too, will commence a more proactive approach to monitoring drilling operations.

DRBC’s deputy executive director, Robert Tudor, announced at a meeting of the Upper Delaware Council on June 5 that the agency will increase its efforts to regulate water-related aspects of gas well drilling that fall under its jurisdiction.

On June 6, the DRBC sent letters to permit holders to announce the agency’s regulation of water withdrawals, injection of fracking fluids and disposal of fracking fluids in constructed lagoons. According to Tudor, the DRBC has “more clout” than the DEP in these matters, and will work with the agency to enforce regulations.

Tudor also reported that the DRBC would “use its authorities” in the event that neighboring wells are damaged by drilling.

The DRBC has also begun working with the state of New York to determine how best to protect water resources at risk from the drilling process. “We’re having discussions with New York to determine what’s needed,” Tudor said. “We have to negotiate with each state.”

Harnessing hydropower

Tudor also announced that the Delaware County Electric Cooperative based in Delhi, NY has expressed interest in installing hydroelectric facilities at four New York City reservoirs—Cannonsville, Neversink, Pepacton and Schoharie—and that the DRBC is reviewing this proposal.

As reported in The Daily Star, permit applications were submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month. Obtaining a federal license could take until at least 2011, with construction and operation to follow a year or two later. Tudor noted that the cooperative is involved in other renewable energy initiatives and that the power would be harvested for local use.