The following information is an update of recent, local, state, national,
and international legal developments relevant to shale gas.
UGI Energy Begins
Construction on Sunbury Pipeline Project
As reported by Central Penn Business Journal, on August 24, 2016 UGI Energy Services LLC had their
groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sunbury pipeline. The pipeline will be 35
miles long and will stretch from Lycoming County to Snyder County. The company
expects that the 20 inch pipeline will be finished within the year.
Proponents of Drilling
Regulations Lack Sufficient Signatures for Colorado Ballot
A news release issued on
August 29, 2016 by the Colorado Secretary of State reported the failure of
proposed ballot initiatives. The ballot measures would have allowed local
regulation of oil and gas development. In addition, the second ballot measure
would have required a mandatory 2,500 foot setback from drilling activities.
Proponents of the ballot measures collected the required number of signatures,
but after verification, approximately only 80% of the signatures in a
random sample were deemed to be valid. The valid signatures were insufficient
to qualify for the ballot.
Environmental Groups
Challenge BLM Oil and Gas Lease Approvals
On August 25, 2016,
WildEarth Guardians and Physicians for Social Responsibility filed a complaint for
declaratory judgment and injunctive relief against the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). The complaint alleges that the approval of 397 oil and gas
leases violates the National Environmental Policy Act. The plaintiffs argue
that the BLM failed to properly assess the potential climate impact of
greenhouse gas emissions and their cumulative effect. The case is WildEarth
Guardians v. Jewell et al., case number 1:16-cv-01724.
U.S. Geological Survey
Reports Record Matching Earthquake in Oklahoma
As reported by the
USGS, on September 3, 2016 Oklahoma experienced a magnitude 5.6 earthquake
several miles northwest of Pawnee. The earthquake matches the previous record
high magnitude of 5.6 from 2011. USGS reports potential damage from expected
aftershocks. USGS also reports that in the past seven years there has been a
significant increase in the number of induced earthquakes that have been linked
to oil and gas development.
University of Texas
Arlington Publishes Study on Possible Source of Air Contamination
The UTA study published
August 26, 2016 suggests that contaminated air around American shale plays
occurs as a result of operational or mechanical inefficiencies rather than as a
natural result of unconventional drilling operations. The researchers tested
for emissions of benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers and created a heat map to
determine where the emissions were being produced. They found that emissions
could be traced to flaring stations, condensate tanks and compressor units on
only some drilling sites. The study is called “Point Source Attribution of
Ambient Contamination Events Near Unconventional Oil and Gas Development” and
was published in the Science of the Total Environment journal.
Clean Air Task Force
Releases Report on Health Effects from Oil and Gas Industry
An analysis from the
Clean Air Task Force entitled “Gasping for Breath” was released on August 31,
2016 and offers a look at national health impacts from ozone smog produced from
oil and gas pollution. The Task Force determined that health impacts resulting
from ozone smog could cause asthma attacks, impair lung function, and
exacerbate bronchitis and emphysema conditions. The study suggests that Texas
specifically will be drastically impacted by pollutant related sickness,
especially in Barnett Shale drilling areas.
Victoria, Australia
Announces Ban on Unconventional Gas Drilling
In a media release issued by
the Andrews Labor Government on August 30, 2016, it was announced that
Victoria, Australia will implement a permanent ban on unconventional gas
development. The release states that the ban is being imposed to protect the
agricultural sector of Victoria, as Australia’s top food and fiber producer.
Written by Jacqueline Schweichler - Education Programs Coordinator
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