The
Department of Environmental ProtectionThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state. announced recently it has finalized the process it will use for encouraging and reviewing proposals to use mine-influenced water, such as
acid mine drainageThe outflow of acidic water from where the earth has been disturbed. Acid mine drainage has raised long-term ecological and economic concerns., in oil and gas operations. The process is outlined in a white paper the agency released today.
“Abandoned mines present Pennsylvania with one of its biggest environmental challenges,” DEPThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state. Secretary Mike Krancer said. “This initiative, which combines remediating abandoned mine water with responsible extraction of our natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. resources, is a win for our environment and our economy.”
The white paper, available on DEPThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state.’s website, outlines the process to submit proposals and how agency staff will review the proposals to use mine-influenced water in drilling operations. It also identifies possible storage options for the water and describes potential solutions to long-term liability issues. Proposals to use mine-influenced water must include sampling and characterization of the water, as well as details about how the water will be transported, stored and used.
DEPThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state. has also developed lists of major mine discharges in the state that it is encouraging operators consider first, but the agency will review proposals for using water from any mine discharge in Pennsylvania. Operators must follow all applicable environmental laws and regulations when treating, using, storing and moving the water.
DEPThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state. is also encouraging interested parties to work with non-profit organizations and watershed associations that operate mine water treatment plants and to consider creating or supplementing existing trust funds for long-term treatment of mine-influenced water.
The agency developed the white paper after discussing throughout 2012 a draft version with stakeholder groups from across the state.
More than 300 million gallons of water is discharged from mines into Pennsylvania’s waterways every day. Such water has impaired more than 5,500 miles of rivers and streams in the state.
In 2011, the Governor’s Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock.ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is one of the most highly productive types of sedimentary rock whose density provides tight stores forhydrocarbon reserves below. Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. running through about two-thirds of Pennsylvania, and areas of New York and West Virginia. Geologists estimate that there is a large enough natural gas reserve within the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. to power the United States for one to eight years. Advisory Commission included among its recommendations encouraging the use of non-freshwater sources in drilling operations.
For more information and to view the white paper, list of major discharges and other information, visit http://www.depThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state..state.pa.us/ and click “Mining” then “Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation.”
