Gas news at a glance

• Officials from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are investigating the source of elevated natural gas levels in four water wells in Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, roughly 25 miles north of Scranton, following the explosion of a cement well cover on January 1. Tests are being performed to determine whether the gas is naturally occurring or a result of drilling operations by Cabot Oil and Gas. A DEP press release notes that, “Drinking water standard limitations have not been established for natural gas and associated health risks have not been identified.”

• The DEP and the natural gas drilling industry recently launched a partnership to explore methods to treat wastewater generated from oil and gas well drilling operations. The department will develop a technology-based standard for total dissolved solids in oil and gas wastewater, to protect rivers and streams.

• The DEP issued 7,792 drilling permits in 2008 with more than 4,100 wells drilled in regions throughout the state. In response to the increased demand for staff to review permits and inspect sites, the DEP has begun to hire additional staff which will be supported by permit application fee increases.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the target of a lawsuit filed by conservation groups over its failure to protect communities and the climate from air pollution emitted nationwide by oil and gas drilling. According to Earthjustice, which represents the groups, “Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to update clean air regulations every eight years. EPA has failed to update two sets of clean air regulations it originally issued in 1985 and 1999, and has failed altogether to issue a required third set of regulations.” Triggered by drilling impacts in the West, the lawsuit may help to protect states such as New York and Pennsylvania where the Marcellus Shale has ignited interest in natural gas extraction.